Dr. Tamara Welikson

Tamara Welikson, PhD, is the Director of Psychological Services for the Support, Treatment, and Resilience (STAR) Program at McLean Hospital and an Instructor in Psychology in the Department of Psychiatry at Harvard Medical School. She is a licensed clinical psychologist in Massachusetts, New York, and Pennsylvania and also has a part-time virtual private practice.

Dr. Welikson works with adolescents and young adults who are navigating the early stages of mental health challenges. She takes time to really get to know each person she works with, including their experiences, strengths, and what matters most to them. She collaborates closely to find a path forward that feels meaningful and manageable.

Her style is warm, engaged, and supportive. She aims to create a space where people feel comfortable being themselves, while also offering practical tools and perspectives that can make a difference in everyday life. Her work is grounded in a strengths-based, collaborative, evidenced-based approaches with a focus on helping people build skills and a greater sense of confidence in themselves and their capabilities.

Starting therapy can feel scary. In your first session, Dr. Welikson focuses on getting to know you, including the history that brought you to finding her through headway and what you hope might feel different over time.

Some people prefer a more structured conversation with guiding questions, while others prefer a more open space to talk. There is no right or wrong way. Together, we will find an approach that feels most comfortable for you.

By the end of the first session, many people leave with a clearer sense of what the next steps might look like over time.