Patricia Davis

I began my journey after graduating from Wellesley College in 1976, when I worked for several years on psychiatric inpatient units at three hospitals in the Boston area. This experience solidified my interest in mental health and my desire to become a licensed practitioner to provide services to people who were struggling with difficult emotions. Treating people with severe mental illness added to my skill set. I then studied at Boston College, graduating in 1980 with my Master of Social Work degree. For the next five years, I worked in emergency psychiatry in Boston for the Massachusetts Department of Mental Health. From 1986 to 2018, I worked in a public school system as a social worker, where I worked with children and their families. I also worked in private practice for many of those years. My own personal history has helped me gain knowledge and skill in treating mental illness, trauma, and addiction, especially in regard to how families are affected by these stressors.

I strive to be a nonjudgmental practitioner in all ways; two of my core values are honesty and integrity. I have worked successfully with many clients who are male, female, nonbinary, transgender, and members of the LGBTQ community as well as those of many different ages, religions, cultures, and races. I do not attempt to impose my beliefs on anyone but rather listen and learn what theirs are. I consider myself to be a lifelong learner and look forward to getting to know different types of people. I tend to share some of myself in my work, when appropriate. I realize we are all different and a product of our upbringing as well as our DNA.

I will complete a full intake in our first session; I will need to submit a formal diagnosis after the first meeting for insurance purposes. I believe it takes time to get to know someone, and after a few sessions, we will understand each other much better and will be able to pinpoint areas of need and set goals. I will ask you to be honest and let me know how things are going and whether I am meeting your expectations. Progress can sometimes feel slow, since it takes time to trust your therapist and open up. I am a good listener and hope that, in time, you will feel comfortable letting me see your true self. Most of us are very tough on ourselves and need to let go of the negative thoughts we developed at an earlier stage of life, which is a gradual process. I enjoy working with and have experience with all ages, genders, and most issues. I am humble, and realize I will never stop learning from my clients. This is a collaboration between us; you will always be in charge of which changes you choose to make in your life. I am here only to help you see things more clearly, and support you on your chosen path.