About the Practice
I am a licensed mental health counselor (LMHC) in private practice in Somerville, MA.
I strive to provide mental health treatment with an eye toward utilizing individual narratives as a source of strength and a mechanism for change.
My primary approaches are psychodynamic and cognitive-behavioral.
Looking for one of my colleagues? Learn more about Kevin Chen, MA, MBA, Jane Axelrod EdD, and Yahu, M(eow)D.
Formal Education
MA in Clinical Mental Health Counseling
Concentration in Health and Behavioral Medicine
William James College, Newton, MA
BA in Russian Area Studies
Wellesley College, Wellesley, MA
Fellowship in Adult Psychoanalytic Psychotherapy
Boston Psychoanalytic Society and Institute (BPSI), Newton, MA
Clinical Work
Ariel Axelrod, LMHC
Psychotherapist in private practice
2020 – Present
DCS Mental Health, Medford, MA
Outpatient Clinician (2018 – 2021)
Riverside Community Care, Dedham, MA
Outpatient Clinician, Lynnfield, MA (2017- 2019)
School Counselor, Kennedy Middle School, Woburn, MA (2017 – 2018)
Edinburg Center, Lexington, MA
Mental Health Recovery Coordinator (2016 – 2017)
McLean Hospital, Belmont, MA
Practicum Student (2015 – 2016)
Supervisory and Administrative Positions
MA Mental Health Counselors Assc. (MaMHCA), Foxboro, MA
2023 – Clinician Quality of Life Survey Cmte. Chair
2020 – Board Member
2020 – Home Study Cmte. Chair
Presentations
2024 Guest Lecture: Internet Addictions. Lynch School of Education and Human Development, Boston College, Chestnut Hill, MA
2020 Supervision of TeleMentalHealth via Remote/Virtual Platforms: A Panel Discussion. 34th Annual Conference, MaMHCA, Foxboro, MA
2019 Clinical Documentation: Finding the Golden Thread. Riverside Community Care, Dedham, MA
2019 Introduction to Incident Reports: How to Write Them and How They’re Used. Riverside Community Care, Dedham, MA
2016 Student Self-Organization. Counseling Writing Program, William James College, Newton, MA
2016 Research and Writing Concepts. Counseling Writing Program, William James College, Newton, MA
2016 Fall Safety: A CBT-Based Method for Falling Safely. Waverley Place, McLean Hospital, Belmont, MA
Honors and Awards
2022 Professional Service and Leadership Award, MaMHCA
2020 President’s Award. MaMHCA
2010 People’s Choice Award, Scientist-in-a-Box Competition, Biogen Idec Hemophilia
2008 Take5 Award, NEJM
Licenses, Certifications, and Professional Identifiers
2020 Licensed Mental Health Counselor (LMHC) licensure in MA no. 11882
2020 National Certified Counselor (NCC) no. 944326
2024 Mass. Advanced Certified Clinical Supervisor (MACCS) no. 53
NPI no. 1811424955
FAQs
What age groups do you work with?
I work with adults 18-120. Please inquire about possible exceptions if you are over 120 years old.
Do you accept insurance?
The short answer is: No, I do not.
The longer answer is: I am not in-network with any insurance. I can provide superbills for you to seek reimbursement from your health plan. There are several apps and services that will do this for you: Mentaya, Reimbursify, and Thrizer, to name a few recommended by colleagues.
If you have a PPO or an indemnity plan, such plans typically have structures in place to reimburse out-of-network services. Please contact your insurance to confirm your plan benefits.
How much do sessions cost?
Initial phone consults are free.
The intake session is $250.
Subsequent sessions are $180 per session.
I maintain several appointment slots at a reduced rate for students and others in need. Please inquire for more details.
Do you provide in-person or telehealth sessions?
I provide both in-person and telehealth sessions. Telehealth is definitively better than no therapy, but I suggest in-person if possible.
What modalities and paradigms do you use?
I have trained in a number of modalities, but the the foundation for my practice comprises:
- Psychoanalytic and other psychodynamic
- Ericksonian/experiential
- Family systems
- EMDR
- CBT