Seeking a therapist - need recommendations

[lolprivacy.livejournal.com]

Hi, folks. I am writing because am interested to find a therapist. I would like to work with a provider who is experienced with one or more of the following:

- major depressive disorder
- anxiety disorders
- post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
- borderline personality disorder/symptoms
- adult survivors of child abuse (not necessarily sexual)
- LGBT (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender) people

The provider's age, sex, gender identity, skin color, level of physical ability, etc are irrelevant. The provider's religion is not necessarily an issue, given that they do not believe that non-believers and/or queer people are "going to hell", or otherwise slated for a less pleasant fate than believers.

I would prefer to work with someone who is:

* unfazed by people who are "different". While I am fairly normal-looking, I have experienced homelessness, I am queer, and I have certain beliefs about the power of ritual and the nature of reality which are somewhat unique. While the provider need not be coming from the same place, I believe that I will be best served by receiving treatment from a truly open-minded, accepting provider.

* naturally warm and kind. I am quite sensitive to any level of a brusque, dismissive or judgmental attitude, I cannot tolerate it in a clinical setting. I imagine that discussing the things I need to talk about will be painful; and I believe it will be safest for me to open up to a truly gentle soul.

* extremely intelligent. After several ill-fated attempts at treatment with various providers, I have determined that this attribute is necessary in a provider, in order for me to receive the full benefit of treatment.

* MBTA-accessible, though immediate proximity to Davis Square is not necessary (see below).

I am grateful for your willingness to listen, and I hope you will respond. If you prefer not to respond in an LJ comment, please email me, at [my LJ username]@gmail.com - this may be useful if you wish to recommend a provider outside of Davis Square. Feel free to email me if you would like to receive the list of recommended providers, minus the names of the persons recommending.

I thank you, very much, and I wish you good health.

(Cross-posted to davis_square [here] and b0st0n [here])

Comments

[ron_newman]

I have tagged your post "health care". I don't know if any of the previous posts will directly help you, but it's worth taking a look.

[enhf94.livejournal.com]

http://www.somervillementalhealth.org

[zdenka]

I have emailed a link to your post to a friend of mine who is a therapist, in case she can recomend anyone.

[postrodent.livejournal.com]

You might try Ginger Phakos. I've only been seeing her for a couple of months, but she seems quite okay with a guy who looks twenty years younger than his calendar age, and who lives in a triad with another man and a transwoman. She's also been pretty compassionate with me thus far. I'm not precisely sure what kind of therapist she is; her business card describes her as a "licensed independent clinical social worker".

[yagagriswold.livejournal.com]

I really enjoyed working with Melinda Mancini, 2557 Massachusetts Ave
Cambridge, 978-369-9938. She's definitely good with anxiety issues. She's smart, down-to-earth, and compassionate. I can't speak to her level of expertise with all of the issues you name, but I'd certainly recommend speaking with her.

Also, I think highly of Eve Goldfarb, who is just steps from the Davis T station. She's smart, warm, and good with people who are "different." I know she treats abuse survivors and I know many, many people who are really happy with her. You can reach her via email at eve@evegoldfarb.com

[noire.livejournal.com]

Randi Kaufman (in Harvard square)
617-442100

She does a lot of work with alternative/poly/transgendered/bdsm folk and is completely wonderful.

[cold-type.livejournal.com]

Add Dr. Jennifer Strong to your list. She has an office on Mass Ave a few blocks from Harvard Square.

Phone: (617) 501-4505
E-mail: Jennifer@jenniferstrong.com
Web site: www.jenniferstrong.com

There's also a pretty good directory of therapists online at http://therapists.psychologytoday.com/rms/prof_search.php
You can search by zip code and specialty.

If you're planning to use insurance, you might check ahead to find out what type of coverage you have and what is covered.

[in-parentheses.livejournal.com]

You might add Lisa McDonnell to your list: (617) 497-1150, and her office is in Cambridgeport. She was, in my experience, all the things you described.

Best of luck to you!

[sylphae-minuo.livejournal.com]

Randi Kaufman (Harvard Square) or Monique Noelle (Central Square). They are fine with genderqueer, alternate lifestyles, polyamory, and BDSM issues along with life stuffs( depression, borderline, substance use issues.

Both work well with very intelligent people.

[modstgodds.livejournal.com]

Susan Teta LICSW
Journeywoman
240A Elm St., Davis Square
Somerville, MA
(617) 776-9232

She is queer friendly, very warm and supportive. I see you have an embarrassment of riches in terms of number of responses but I wanted to add to it anyway. She is in Davis square just above the Social Security Office. I have worked with her for over ten years.

[sylphae-minuo.livejournal.com]

If the combination of insurance/ income along with the need for a alternative friendly person is an issue I would recommend checking out Fenway Community Health.

http://www.fenwayhealth.org/site/PageServer?pagename=FCHC_pro_providers_services

[moondognight.livejournal.com]

Wow, you sound like me, though I haven't been homeless. Came close once, though.

[justagirlboston.livejournal.com]

I would HIGHLY recommend Dr. Donna Mathias. She is in Brookline, and I'm not sure how T accessable she is, but if you want to call her and check it out, message me and I'll give you her work number.

Great therapist in Davis Square

[littleolivecat.livejournal.com]

Hello,

I have a great recommendation for you. Her name is Susan Teta and she is part of the "Journeywomen" practive in Davis Square. I have been seeing her for a while, and she is very kind and helpful. She is also familiar with abuse, depression, and LGBT issues!