Dr. Elizabeth Pierce
Treatment Areas and Expertise
I use evidence-supported treatments and techniques to address your concerns. This means that there is research to support the effectiveness of those treatments and approaches. I aim to apply these treatments in the context of a trusting, supportive, and accepting relationship in which you can feel comfortable to express yourself.
Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder
A large percentage of my practice is treating adults and older adolescents who have Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD), and related disorders. I have extensive training in the treatment of OCD, including the International OCD Foundation’s (IOCDF) BTTI1 and BTTI2 trainings, and years of experience treating OCD successfully. I use Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT), which includes exposure and response prevention (ERP), cognitive restructuring, and behavioral planning. I also have expanded my training in Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), and am increasingly using ACT principles and techniques with clients. Therapy includes exercises during the sessions and assigned homework tasks to facilitate progress. I recommend reading, written exercises, and other media as part of treatment. Family members are involved in sessions as needed.
Depression, Anxiety Disorders, Life Stresses, Parenting, and
Relationship Issues
I see older teens and adults who are struggling with depression, other anxiety disorders, life transitions and stresses, and relationship challenges. CBT is used to reduce distress that you experience, including cognitive therapy, behavioral planning, and mindfulness/acceptance approaches (including ACT). In addition, when appropriate, I use Timothy Stokes’ 3-step approach to identify and re-work historical cognitive scripts that may be impeding progress in the present. I also work with couples who are looking to improve communication and problem-solving skills. Finally, in my individual work with adults who are parents, I can advise regarding parenting challenges. (See next column for more details.)
Other Areas of Experience and Expertise
Other areas of career focus over the years will inform our therapeutic work together. I have extensive training, expertise, and past experience treating children and families, including families wanting to implement Collaborative Problem Solving* for children with emotional and behavioral challenges. I have also worked extensively with families pre and post divorce, and those involved with social services due to trauma or abuse. *(Collaborative Problem Solving® (“CPS”) [trademark owned by the Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA] is the approach of the Think:Kids program at MGH. See thinkkids.org.)
Therapeutic Techniques
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
This approach focuses on changing specific thoughts/cognitions that can fuel negative mood states. Therapy also focuses on changing behaviors that create difficulties for you so you can engage in more adaptive behaviors. There is structure to the therapy and often homework to do. I recommend reading, other media, and family involvement as needed. With couples, we work on improving communication and problem-solving skills.
Exposure & Response Prevention (ERP)
This is a technique used commonly for the treatment of OCD and other anxiety problems. The client is exposed to a feared thought or situation and asked to refrain from avoidance or a compulsive behavior or ritual, with the goal of reducing associated anxiety. We also build a toolbox for coping with anxiety and challenging situations.
Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)
This approach includes increasing mindfulness skills and the ability to experience a wide range of emotions and sensations, changing one’s relationship to one’s thoughts, and guiding behavior toward one’s values. (See ACT Made Simple by Russ Harris.)
Timothy Stokes’ 3-Step Approach
This approach identifies current maladaptive cognitive scripts, traces them back to early versions and their function at that time, and reworks the past and current scripts to allow a person more freedom in their current thinking and behavior. Outlined in the book What Freud Didn’t Know.
Philosophy
I believe in respecting the dignity, autonomy, and strength of every person with whom I work. We are collaborators in meeting your therapeutic goals. In this partnership, you bring a wealth of information and insight about yourself, as well as knowledge about what has worked and not worked for you in your efforts to make psychological change. I bring my professional expertise, including research-supported clinical tools and techniques, guidance about how to move forward and make changes, and many years of clinical experience. My goal is to build a trusting, productive relationship to do what may at times be hard work. I come from a strong academic training background, and bring that scientific mindset to our work together. I regularly update my knowledge and skills through reading, conference participation, consultation, and advanced trainings. Even though we might be working on a particular problem, such as anxiety, depression, OCD, or a relationship or life issue, I want to relate to you as the whole person that you are.
I will inform you of all my policies, either in written or verbal form, and will always strive to respect your right to make choices at every step of the way. Choosing a therapist is an important matter, and I encourage people to look around and find a provider that feels like a good match. Therefore, if you would like to come meet with me for an initial meeting to see if the fit is right, I am very open to that.
At the beginning, we do an assessment of your background and the issues, and we develop goals. At various points along the way, we do a re-evaluation of progress and goals, to make sure we are making headway toward the goals. This can be a conversation, or sometimes includes interviews and questionnaires. I am receptive, on an ongoing basis, to your feedback about how you feel therapy is going, and how I can be the best therapist for you.
Education, Training, and Credentials
B.A., Psychology
Barnard College, Columbia University
Ph.D., Clinical Psychology
University of Pittsburgh
Doctoral Internship
Schneider Children’s Hospital, Long Island Jewish Medical Center
Postdoctoral Research and Clinical Fellowship
Brown University
Family Therapy Intensive Training
Western Psychiatric Institute and Clinic, Pittsburgh, PA
Extensive Training with the Think:Kids Program (Collaborative Problem Solving) at MGH
Behavior Therapy Training Institute (BTTI) Graduate
(1st and Advanced Courses), International OCD Foundation
Licensed as Psychologist/Provider in MA since 1996
Previously licensed also in RI
Professional Memberships
Contact
Please contact Dr. Elizabeth Pierce via email at:
pierce@elizabethpiercephd.com
Hours
Monday – Friday: 9 a.m. – 6 p.m.
Telephone 781-862-6200
Dr. Pierce will return messages within two business days.
Dr. Elizabeth Pierce
Clinical Psychologist & Therapist
76 Bedford Street, Suite 10, Lexington, MA 02420
Location
Directions
FROM 128/95 — Take exit 31A (Route 4/225) toward Lexington. Go about 1 mile on 4/225 (also called Bedford Street). 76 Bedford Street (Custance Place) is on the right.
HEADING WEST ON ROUTE 2 — Take exit 54B (Waltham Street, Lexington). Off exit, bear right on Waltham Street. Take left on Worthen Road, then left on Bedford Street. 76 Bedford Street (Custance Place) is immediately on the left past the Starbucks.
HEADING EAST ON ROUTE 2A — Turn left on Mass. Ave., left on Worthen Road, then left on Bedford Street.
FROM ARLINGTON — Go northwest on Mass. Ave., through Lexington center. At the town green, bear right onto Bedford Street. 76 Bedford Street (Custance Place) is .4 miles up on the left after the Starbucks.
ONCE YOU GET TO THE BUILDING: Enter #76 Bedford, walk up to the second floor, and turn left down the long hallway. There is also an elevator, in which case you take a right down the hall. Suite 10 is the door straight ahead of you – it says “Suite 10” on the door. My office is right inside the door.
Ample free parking available.
Map
Insurance & Fees
Blue Cross Blue Shield.
In addition, clients may be able to use out-of-network benefits for other plans. This involves paying for the session at the time of visit, and then submitting an itemized receipt to your insurance company.
I am happy to work with you to optimize your coverage.