Noah Slater, LICSW
I am a licensed independent clinical social worker in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts who holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Psychology from Bridgewater State University and a Master of Social Work degree from Simmons University. In addition, I am a member of the American Academy of Experts in Traumatic Stress in collaboration with the National Center for Crisis Management. I am credentialed as a Certified Clinical Trauma Professional (CCTP). I've had the opportunity to serve in residential settings, child welfare programs, hospitals, community crisis intervention, and outpatient clinics holding a variety of direct care, clinical, and supervisory roles. I've been very fortunate to be able to support individuals of all ages throughout various stages of life and look forward to continuing to do so.
How Do I Approach Therapy?
My theoretical framework draws from a psychodynamic approach which emphasizes unconscious psychological processes and the influence that earlier life experiences have in shaping adult personality. I utilize an attachment theory lens which focuses on thoughts, feelings, communications, behaviors, and interpersonal exchanges that individuals have learned either to suppress and avoid or to amplify and overemphasize because of early attachment experiences. I hold special interest and strive to create a private, therapeutic space for first responders, veterans, Christians, and men who have been hesitant to pursue therapy in the past.
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
Analyzing thoughts, feelings, and behaviors to determine if they're irrational, unrealistic, or unhelpful. We will work together to challenge negative thinking and respond to challenging situations more effectively with the goal of strengthening your sense of control over your life.
Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT)
Drawing from many aspects of CBT listed above, this intervention focuses on helping people accept the reality of their lives and behaviors; especially adapted for people who feel emotions very intensely. Core skills are drawn from mindfulness, distress tolerance, emotion regulation, and interpersonal effectiveness.
Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)
Through this approach, individuals are supported in accepting their feelings and thoughts without judgment while moving forward through difficult emotions. It is based on the idea that emotional pain, grief, and anxiety are an inevitable part of our lives, but humans are capable of adapting to these challenges by developing psychological flexibility.
Narrative Therapy
This is often referred to as a "non-blaming" approach, as the goal is to view our problems as separate from ourselves. It is based on the idea that people are experts of their own lives and have the power to create and reframe their own stories. We will work to identify your values, as well as the skills associated with them, and externalize the problems you're facing rather than internalize them.
Attachment-Based
Drawn from British psychologist John Bowlby's attachment theory, this intervention is utilized to help people develop or rebuild trust, express emotions, and overcome the effects of negative early attachment experiences. This often includes a deep reflection of early childhood experiences, identifying present maladaptive behaviors that may have resulted from them, and strengthening the capacity for secure relationships and adaptive actions in the world.
Faith-Based
Biblically-informed interventions are offered for those who choose to explore their mental health needs within the holistic context of their Christian faith/spirituality as I believe God's Word, the Holy Bible, can give us practical wisdom to work with. I am committed to keeping my Christian clients foundationally aligned with their faith and we will work together to view counseling as an expression of God's on-going mission to heal, restore, and liberate where suffering, brokenness, and captivity exists within an individual or relationship. The goal is not to become "better," but to enable you to become more whole with a firmer grasp of the life that God intends.