Katesy Townsend, Ph.D., Licensed Psychologist

About Dr. Townsend

I am a counseling psychologist in private practice in Newburyport, MA.  I received my doctoral degree in Counseling Psychology from the University of Oregon in 2003.  I hold a master's degree in education with a concentration in Human Development and Psychology from the Harvard Graduate School of Education (1996) and a bachelor of arts degree in English and French from Bowdoin College (1990).

I have experience in four university and college counseling center contexts (most recently, at Harvard's Bureau of Study Counsel) where I counseled undergraduate and graduate students and provided consultation to administrators, faculty, and staff.  I completed predoctoral and postdoctoral internships at the University of New Hampshire Counseling Center.  I have also trained in a hospital-based outpatient mental health center, a child and family counseling clinic, and a community mental health center.  I am licensed as a psychologist in Massachusetts.  In addition, I am credentialed by the National Register of Health Service Psychologists and am a member of the Massachusestts Psychological Association.  I have temporary license to practice in the states of Maine and New Hampshire and am registered with the state of Florida as an out-of-state telehealth provider (https://www.flhealthsource.gov/telehealth/).

Approach and Style

My theoretical orientation is integrationist, drawing on interpersonal, psychodynamic and acceptance/mindfulness-informed principles.  I've received feedback that I'm warm and understanding, an excellent listener and gently confrontative, and effective at helping people take positive steps in their lives.  I'd describe myself as down to earth with a good sense of humor.  While I'm very tuned into the unique nature of each therapy relationship, I hope you'll find that acceptance and non-judgment are "givens" (something you can count on) with me.  Perhaps most importantly, I appreciate people's strengths and natural resilience when facing challenging choices and circumstances.  A key factor in helping my clients meet their goals is the trusting, respectful therapy relationship that we build together.