Dawn Balcazar, Ph.D.

I am a licensed psychologist with over 30 years of experience in the field of clinical psychology. In that time, I have maintained a special interest in working with college and high school aged young adults.  In addition, helping people through life's transitions, including the divorce process, is an area of exertise. Studying and treating the effects of psychological trauma is a professional passion. I maintain a private practice in the town of Wellesley Massachusetts and a small practice near Harvard Square. I also do sessions by Skype and by phone.

 

It is a sign of courage to see a psychotherapist and it can be a bit unnerving at first for even the most confident sorts. My aim is to put you at ease and you should know that I admire and respect those who seek help. Qualities that I value as a therapist are the ability to be genuine, authentic, unpretentious, warm and eager to learn about you. Having a sense of humor and a playful spirit also helps in what can be such serious work. Collaboration and confidentiality are givens. 

 

I graduated from Wellesley College in 1979, worked at McLean Hospital for two years and then began the clinical psychology doctoral program at the University of Massachusetts in Amherst. My pre-doctoral internship and post-doctoral year was spent at the Beth Israel Hospital in Boston.

 

After my training, I went into full-time private practice in Cambridge and Wellesley. In addition, I was a clinical associate at the Stone Center Counseling Service at Wellesley College; on staff there from 2008-2010; and am a Senior Supervisor at the Trauma Center at JRI. I have lectured and consulted in the areas of self-injury and affective modulation and taught courses in bereavement and psychological trauma for several institutions.

 

After becoming familiar with the divorce procedures in Massachusetts, I completed 40 hours of divorce mediation training in 2007. I now do divorce counseling, including consultation and treatment, of individuals, couples, and families in all stages of the separation and divorce process.

 

Outside of the professional arena, I turn to the world of nature for my mindfulness and self-care practices, such as hiking and kayaking. I have volunteered at Angell Memorial Hospital in their foster care program (with cats) and have fostered dogs from the United States Virgin Islands.  Nature photography is a hobby and all of the pictures in this website were taken by me (except for the picture of me).