Paulina Fuentes Moad, Psy.D.
“In the dark times
Will there also be singing?
Yes, there will also be singing.
About the dark times.”
—Bertolt Brecht (1939)
I am a Harvard-trained licensed clinical psychologist and consultant. I completed my doctoral and postdoctoral training in a variety of settings including the MGH Chelsea HealthCare Center at Massachusetts General Hospital/Harvard Medical School (Chelsea, MA) for many years; Boston Behavioral Medicine (Brookline, MA); The New England Conservatory Counseling Center (Boston, MA); and Arbour Hospital (Boston, MA). I also completed a Fellowship in Psychodynamic Psychotherapy at the Boston Psychoanalytic Society and Institute (Newton, MA) and hold a certificate in Integrative Health Coaching from the Institute of Integrative Nutrition (New York). I received my Doctorate in Clinical Psychology from William James College (formerly Massachusetts School of Professional Psychology). My undergraduate education was completed at Universidad Iberoamericana (Mexico City), where I did practica in a variety of settings, such as schools, prisons, and hospitals, and received a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology, with a Clinical Psychology Subspecialty. I also spent a year at the University of Sheffield (England) in a study abroad program in my undergraduate years. Throughout my psychology training I focused on the treatment of individuals across the lifespan and neuropsychological and educational assessment. I have taught, published, provided workshops, and publicly spoken nationally and internationally in a variety of settings on topics related to psychology. I am a member of the American Psychological Association where I continue to seek out opportunities for professional development. I am licensed as a psychologist in the state of Massachusetts (License number: 11187), and I am fully eligible for licensure in Mexico since 2009. I am completely bilingual and provide services in English and Spanish.
I currently work with adults only. My approach is comprehensive and collaborative, creating an individual treatment plan with the type of psychotherapy best indicated for each individual client. My main approach to diagnosis and treatment is psychodynamic, which focuses on the psychological roots of emotional suffering. Its hallmarks are self-reflection and self-examination, and the use of the relationship between therapist and patient as a window into problematic relationship patterns in the client’s life. Its goal is not only to alleviate symptoms, but also to help people understand themselves more deeply and lead healthier lives. I also draw on other therapy modalities such as cognitive-behavioral therapy, dialectic behavioral therapy, psycho-education, and integrative nutrition tools as needed based on individual cases.
I have experience working with individuals with a variety of mood and anxiety disorders, as well as those going through life transitions. I specialize in clients who have suffered abrupt terminations in psychotherapy and abuse from previous therapists, supervisors, clergy, professors, or situations where there is a clear abuse of power. I work particularly well with creative individuals and artists, graduate students, immigrants and clients with international backgrounds (such as international students), and individuals who would like to add the depth of spirituality to their therapeutic exploration.