About Holly
I’m a psychologist with a passion for walking alongside couples and individuals to help them achieve a more loving, connected, and fulfilling life.
The Work I Love and Believe In
I’m a licensed psychologist in Massachusetts with my own private practice. I love being a therapist, and also relish teaching, speaking, consulting, and writing. For many years, I’ve taught The Psychology of Close Relationships at Harvard University. I also have extensive experience providing clinical supervision, and remain available to do so for clinicians who are seeking professional support. I write a blog for Psychology Today entitled “Your Future Self,” and have written two books related to intimacy and denial. I’ve also partnered as a consultant with CloseUp in their Love For All campaign, which has involved education and advocacy for diverse relationships (e.g., interracial relationships, same-sex relationships).
My Approach to Therapy
Because everyone is different (thankfully!), I love working together with each couple or individual to thoughtfully assess what may be happening for them and integrate evidence-based approaches and techniques based on their goals, strengths, progress, wisdom, experiences, wishes, and needs. I value thinking holistically about each couple or individual and the ways in which factors such as their environment, lifestyle habits (e.g., exercise, sleep, leisure time), relationships, and overall history can have an impact. Given that the focus and goals of therapy tend to evolve over time, I regularly inquire about how therapy is feeling for clients so that we can make adjustments as needed.
Interpersonally, I’m warm, actively engaged, transparent, and authentic, and enjoy bringing in humor and laughter when the moment is right. It’s essential to me to do my best to cultivate a space in which each person feels emotionally safe and more able to take healthy risks. I believe in holding a balance between inviting people to stretch themselves as they’re ready without pressuring them.
My Training and Experience
I obtained my PhD in experimental psychopathology from Harvard University, where I conducted research and was a Karen Stone Fellow and Sackler Scholar. My desire to help people change their lives in therapy lead me to re-specialize in clinical psychology at the University of Massachusetts, Amherst. I completed my clinical internship and clinical postdoctoral fellowship at the Edith Nourse Rogers Memorial Veterans Hospital, where I later became an Associate Director of Training. Across a variety of settings, I’ve practiced as a therapist for over 14 years. I’ve received training in a number of treatment approaches, including emotionally focused therapy for couples, cognitive-behavioral therapy, psychodynamic therapy, dialectical behavioral therapy, acceptance and commitment therapy, motivational interviewing, solution focused brief therapy for couples, and mindfulness techniques.
Areas
of Specialization
- Relationships
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Self-acceptance, esteem, and compassion
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Trauma and past stressors or losses
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Emotional and behavioral avoidance
Sessions with Me
My practice is entirely telehealth-based, and you have the freedom to meet with me via video or over the phone. For video sessions, I use a HIPAA compliant videoconferencing platform (SimplePractice) as well as a HIPAA compliant phone system (RingRx). Research reveals that therapy works across range of issues regardless of whether sessions happen online or in person. Sessions are around 50 minutes long.
Rates
My rate is $240 per session. I’m not in-network with any insurance plan, but I can give you a form (called a superbill) that will allow you to seek reimbursement from your insurance company if you wish.