Therapists:

June Atkind, LICSW
992 Great Plain Avenue
Needham, MA 02402
781-449-4779

Approach:
I have learned and incorporated many useful theories and techniques over the 25 years that I have been in clinical practice. But the most powerful and influential factor in my work as a psychotherapist is a belief system that pre-dated my professional career. It is my conviction that every person has strengths and abilities which can contribute to a positive and productive life. I have witnessed this time and time again in settings as diverse as an in-patient psychiatric unit, an outpatient substance abuse program, an eating disorders clinic, residential treatment programs, and an inner-city charter school.

The approaches that I employ are all consistent with this strengths-based orientation. By actively seeking to identify and build upon each person's strengths, the best treatment strategies frequently unfold. In my collaboration with clients, as well as those in relationships with the clients (e.g., family members, teachers), I seek to understand what is "working" for the client, and what is not. Mutually determined goals, which provide direction for the treatment and benchmarks for evaluating progress, can then be established. Often times, goals can be achieved through a brief course of treatment. Treatment may be extended to address more complex issues, or clients may return intermittently to review or revise strategies in light of new developmental challenges or life events.

For many children, adolescents, and adults, stress management and enhancing coping skills can be the key to positive adjustment and well-being. Attaining developmental milestones and acquiring the competence and confidence to successfully participate and thrive in age-appropriate activities are not accomplished without some measure of stress. This normal stress can be exacerbated by individual learning differences, temperament and other innate characteristics, illnesses, family dynamics, peer and other societal pressures, and life events. Most people can benefit from identifying sources of stress and consciously employing assertiveness training, problem solving, or organizational skills to diminish stress levels. Enhancing the ability to cope with stress by learning and practicing breathing and other relaxation techniques, self-talk, and expressive outlets can also be extremely helpful. By working in collaboration with clients, strategies and techniques that are most compatible with an individual's primary coping style can be identified and strengthened.

Experience:
I earned my M.A. in Counseling Psychology from Lesley College in 1981. After an internship in a juvenile first offenders' program, I went on to work with children, adolescents, adults and families in day treatment, outpatient substance abuse treatment, and residential treatment programs. I returned to school and obtained my MSW in Clinical Social Work from Boston College in 2000. As an intern, I had the opportunity to gain experience in working with elderly and hospice populations. I then spent a year working on an inpatient child and adolescent psychiatric unit, and completed a one-year fellowship in the Children's Hospital Adolescent Clinic, providing eating disorders assessment and treatment, crisis intervention, and outpatient psychotherapy. I have worked for the past 3 years as a school social worker at the Neighborhood House Charter School, serving grades K1-8, in Dorchester.

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Needham Psychotherapy Associates
922 Great Plain Avenue
Needham, MA 02492
781-449-7522


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