Dr. L. Saxon Elliott
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Dr. L. Saxon Elliott

413-570-0258

Areas of Focus
  • Anger
  • Body Image
  • Caregiver Support
  • College/Work Stress
  • Couples/Relationships
  • Depression/Anxiety
  • Divorce
  • Grief/Loss
  • Health & Wellness
  • Law Enforcement/Military
  • LGBTQ+
  • Middle Aged
  • Pain
  • Rehabilitation
  • Seniors (65+)
  • Sexuality
  • Sleep
  • Spirituality/Faith
  • Stress Management
  • Terminal Illness
  • Trauma/PTSD
  • Weight
  • Women (Gender-Specific Care)
  • Young Adult
  • Other
Gender: Female

License No. and State:

License No. State
9045 Massachusetts

Professional Statement

I’m a licensed Clinical Psychologist, certified as a Health Service Provider in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. I’m listed in the National Register of Health Service Psychologists and possess the CPQ (Certificate of Professional Qualification in Psychology), granted by the Association of State and Provincial Psychology Boards. My general adult practice of 35+ years serves young adults through seniors and provides psychotherapy, psychological evaluation, diagnostic clarification, consultation, and training. I’m qualified to evaluate, diagnose, and treat the entire spectrum of psychological disorders, as well as relational, occupational, academic, health, identity, sexual, spiritual, bereavement, and phase of life issues. I specialize in anxiety, depression, trauma, behavioral medicine/health psychology (the application of psychological principles and practices to physical illness, health and wellness), and women’s issues, particularly women’s health issues. I have particular expertise and interest in working with medical professionals (e.g., physicians, nurses, mental health professionals), first responders, clergy, LGBTQ+, college students, educators, and creative professionals (writers, visual and performing artists).

The values that inform my treatment orientation include a conviction that it’s important to take ownership for one’s choices, to live in accordance with one’s values, and to recognize that one is not ultimately defined by circumstances or history. I view psychotherapy as a partnership between us. During this collaborative journey, I provide you with a safe and confidential space to explore difficult internal, interpersonal, and life issues, to receive feedback, and to try out new ways of thinking, feeling, and behaving. Within this context, it’s my intention to assist you in gaining clarity and in achieving the goals you bring to our encounter. I offer a range of therapeutic options, from short-term, solution-focused consultation to long-term, in-depth psychotherapy, depending on needs and resources. Reasons for seeking psychotherapy range from acute or chronic distress associated with diagnosable mental illness to a desire for increased self-awareness, personal growth, and greater wholeness as a human being. You needn’t be suffering or even symptomatic to benefit from psychotherapy.

My approach to psychotherapy is drawn from many influences and is best described as a holistic or integrative model. I’m interested in how you’re functioning in body, mind, and spirit, and in how these aspects of your being interact and mutually influence one another. I’m as a likely to ask you about your diet, your health habits, and your spiritual beliefs and practices, if any, as I am to ask you about your thoughts and feelings. I’m also interested in your relationships, past and present, and patterns in these relationships. I’ll invite you to explore how past relationships influence current relationships, and how long-standing, self-perpetuating thought and behavior patterns can be changed. I strive to listen for your strengths and examples of success in your life, and explore how they can be applied to current issues and concerns.

I’m certified in Cognitive Behavior Therapy (CBT) and employ a full range of additional evidence-based treatment modalities, including Behavior Therapy, Rational Emotive Behavior Therapy (REBT), Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT), Solution Focused Brief Therapy (SFBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR), Psychodynamic and Interpersonal Therapies, and Narrative Therapy. My work is also informed by developmental psychology, relational systems perspectives, humanistic-existential models and, for those for whom it is important, spiritual integration. Having access to and expertise in a wide variety of therapeutic approaches, I’m able to choose those I believe will work best for you and the issues you bring to treatment. In collaboration, your treatment plan will be customized specifically to your needs.

The tools and processes I use in therapy are likely to include dialogue, interpersonal feedback, interpretation, awareness exercises, mindfulness training, cognitive reframing, stress reduction, distress tolerance, emotional regulation, behavioral analysis, skills training (e.g., assertiveness, communication), rehearsal, self-monitoring experiments, visualization, guided imagery, journaling, dream analysis, psycho-education, and bibliotherapy. Though I may use a variety of different methods to treat you, my approach generally invites your close attention to your internal experience, to your perceptions of the world around you, and to the manner in which you pursue or limit making your way. I believe that therapy is a process of experiencing and understanding who you really are and creating a greater sense of personal alignment.

An important part of your therapy will involve deepening and consolidating new insights and/or practicing new skills outside of our sessions. We will work together to set up “homework” assignments for you, as an extension of the work we do during the therapy hour. For example, I might invite you to keep records, read, journal, practice relaxation techniques, experiment with a new way of being, practice assertiveness exercises, set boundaries, face a fear, or have a difficult conversation with a significant other. Application is key to deriving maximum therapeutic benefit.

My therapeutic style is active, interactive, directive, and didactic. I make observations and offer feedback and interpretations. I use humor. I roll up my sleeves. I try to achieve balance between safety and stretch in navigating our work with difficult material. I believe that you possess wisdom within you and that, by providing the proper context, asking meaningful and incisive questions, and truly “getting” you, I’ll empower you to discern your own truths and find your own way. While I provide expertise regarding the conduct of purposeful and effective therapy, you are the ultimate judge of what is important and beneficial to you. I will work to foster your autonomy and self-determination, rather than your dependency on me or on therapy. Ultimately, my job is to make myself obsolete!

The process of psychotherapy begins with a comprehensive evaluation of the challenges you’re facing and your needs. I will then offer you some initial impressions and treatment recommendations that might form the basis of our work. At that point, we’ll discuss your goals and create an initial treatment plan. You and I will decide together if I’m the best person to provide the services you need in order to achieve your goals. Because therapy involves a considerable investment of time, money, and energy, it is wise to choose a psychologist carefully. Feeling comfortable and in sync with your provider is the key to a successful therapeutic outcome. A “good fit” is crucial, and I advise consumers to “shop” until they find it. On my end, I only agree to work with those who, in my opinion, I can help. Therefore, I enter our relationship with optimism about our process and the outcome.

Education/Experience

I received a bachelor’s degree in Psychology from Davidson College (Phi Beta Kappa) and a doctorate in Clinical Psychology from the University of Denver. I completed a residency program at Wilford Hall USAF Medical Center, a 1000-bed general hospital, and have specialty training, experience, and expertise in the practice of Behavioral Medicine and Health Psychology. I’ve provided collaborative care to medical patients and consultation/liaison services to medical practitioners representing a range of specializations, including Internal Medicine, Orthopedics, Ob-Gyn, Oncology, Gastroenterology, Endocrinology, Cardiology, Neurology, Rheumatology, Plastic/Reconstructive Surgery, Bariatric Medicine, Anesthesiology/Interventional Pain Management, and Palliative Medicine. Integrating Behavioral Health Psychology with Primary Care, I’ve collaborated with Primary Care Physicians on a wide variety of health and wellness issues, including diabetes management, weight control, smoking cessation, disordered eating, heart health, stress-related disorders, chronic illness, chronic pain, compliance with medical regimens, and lifestyle health behaviors modification. I’ve assisted patients in navigating the confusing, sometimes fragmented, healthcare system and in interfacing with their healthcare providers most effectively. I have extensive experience in Interventional Pain Management and Rehabilitation Psychology and have served as psychological consultant to multi-disciplinary pain management and occupational medicine centers, providing psychological evaluation and treatment to chronic pain patients. I have particular expertise in conducting psychological screening and clearance of candidates for invasive or high-risk medical interventions (e.g., bariatric surgeries, implantation surgeries, gender reassignment surgeries). As a health psychology educator, I’ve conducted psycho-educational classes and workshops for healthcare professionals, patients, and the general public on numerous health-related topics, incorporating my interests in integrative medicine, holistic health/wellness, mindfulness, alternative/complementary medicine, and end-of-life issues.

Post-residency, I served as Chief of Psychological Services as a Captain in the Medical Services Corps of the U.S. Air Force, leading to specialization in Military Psychology, treating active-duty and reserve military, service veterans, and other uniformed service professionals, including first responders. I’ve contracted with police and fire departments to provide pre-employment screenings, fitness for duty evaluations, and critical incident stress debriefings. I’m trained in the management of violent/combative patients and in hostage negotiation. I have considerable experience with the evaluation and treatment of Posttraumatic Stress Disorder, including combat fatigue and first responder trauma. I’ve worked in conjunction with law enforcement and District Attorneys assisting crime victims, including victims of battery, domestic violence, sexual assault, armed robbery, and other trauma. I’ve been involved in providing on-the-ground triage and crisis intervention to victims of several natural disasters, including Hurricane Katrina.

In my practice of 35+ years, I’ve served as a clinician in inpatient, outpatient, and community mental health facilities; directed and administrated several outpatient mental health clinics; directed a regional domestic violence/sexual assault agency; practiced as a forensic psychologist in both criminal and civil litigation; provided medical consult/liaison services in primary care clinics, hospitals, and rehabilitation facilities; provided consultation services to businesses and organizations; taught at six colleges and universities as an Adjunct Professor of Psychology; and provided clinical training and supervision to graduate students, interns, and early-career psychologists.

For much of my career, I’ve taken care of patients in a private practice setting, the context in which you find me now. I bring the breadth of my own life experience to my work, including those of marriage, divorce, parenting, care-giving, bereavement, chronic illness, spirituality, travel, and my work as a performing artist. I have a broad worldview and multi-cultural perspective, having lived in multiple regions of the U.S. and abroad. Expanding my practice to include telepsychology has extended my reach to consumers who might not otherwise have access to services due to distance, work or school schedules, child- or elder-care responsibilities, chronic illness, physical or psychological immobility, pandemic-related safety considerations, and other barriers. I’ve found working remotely to have significant advantages over traditional in-person psychotherapy, including convenience, flexibility, privacy, efficiency, and the comfort and safety of accessing services in one’s own environment. Both outcome research and personal experience suggest that telepsychology is a robust and highly effective modality and I’m delighted to have the opportunity to assist you in this virtual venue.

Please note: I offer a free 15-minute phone or video consultation to assist you in determining if it makes sense to schedule an initial appointment. This affords you an opportunity to ask questions and get a better sense of what it would be like to work with me. Also, if none of my posted available appointment times work for you, please contact me and I’ll do my best to accommodate your schedule. Finally, if you have health insurance with out-of-network benefits, I'd be happy to provide you with appropriate invoices should you wish to seek reimbursement.

Degrees/Certifications
  • Davidson College - B.A., Psychology
  • University of Denver School of Professional Psychology - Psy.D., Clinical Psychology
  • Wilford Hall USAF Medical Center - Clinical Psychology Residency Program
  • National Register of Health Service Psychologists - Registrant #44129
  • Association of State & Provincial Psychology Boards - Certificate of Professional Qualification in Psychology (CPQ) #3343

Prices & Payments

Service Price Duration
Initial Evaluation/Consultation $225 60 minutes
Psychotherapy $150 45 minutes
Brief Consultation $125 30 minutes