About Angela Ficken, LICSW

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I am a therapist who will challenge you to work on becoming the happier, healthier self you envision. I am an active listener in sessions and believe that providing feedback is the best way to challenge behavior patterns and to ultimately help you connect with your own strengths, wisdom, and inner resources. I ask questions, and will engage you in a thoughtful way while providing you with a non-judgmental, supportive environment.

I use several therapy strategies to guide patients toward accomplishing goals:

  • Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)

  • Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT)

  • Supportive Psychotherapy

  • Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP) – Exposure therapy is specifically used for people diagnosed with Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD)

Each individual comes with different experiences and needs, therefore we might use one or all of these strategies based on what you want to work on. I believe in progress not perfection and that with every problem there is an opportunity for growth.

Please feel free to contact me if you are interested in scheduling an appointment.

EXPERIENCE & INTERESTS

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Education and Training

  • Northeastern University

  • Boston College Graduate School of Social Work

  • OCD Institute McLean Hospital (Harvard Affiliate): Trained in Exposure and Response Prevention

  • McLean Hospital Inpatient Adult Short Term Unit – Senior Clinical Social Worker

  • Harvard University Student Health Services

  • DBT and CBT certified

Professional Interests

  • Obsessive Complusive Disorder (OCD) – Intrusive Thoughts, Contamination, Scrupulosity, Perfectionism, Trichotillomania, Skin Picking, BDD

  • Eating Disorders

  • Mood and Anxiety

  • Life Transitions – Schooling, Career, Relationship Issues

  • College and Graduate Student Mental Health

WHAT TO EXPECT AT THERAPY

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Therapy will be different depending on the individual.

Some people seek therapy to help alleviate symptoms related to depression or anxiety, while others may seek therapy because they are curious about how their past directly influences their current relationships, emotional experiences, and unwanted behaviors. Others may want to learn healthier ways of coping through difficult circumstances and managing difficult feelings.

Our first session together will be one hour in length. In this session, I will ask you questions about your current circumstance as well as your social, family, and medical history in order to understand what brings you into treatment and how I might be helpful. The goal of the first session is to gain as much information about who you are and what you’d like to work on. At the end of our first appointment, I will give you feedback on what I think will be the most effective treatment for you, including therapy strategies and frequency of treatment.

After the first session, appointments will be 45 minutes in length, placing our focus on your goals and any behaviors you want to change.

Based on what you want to work on, I may assign homework. Homework can be an important part of the therapy process. It will help you continue to work on what we discussed in session, and it can also help both of us understand more clearly as to what issues come up for you during the week. It can also help track successes!

If you have more questions, or would like more information please contact me at Angela@ProgressWellness.com.

Insurance Information:  

Progress Wellness does not participate in any insurance panels, yet for patients who have a PPO plan, I can help submit therapy bills for reimbursement. All PPO plans and reimbursement rates vary, thus it is important to find out whether you have a PPO plan and what the rate is. I encourage all patients to call their insurance companies to review their mental health benefits before scheduling the first meeting. 

For patients who have an HMO or other non-PPO plan, reimbursement is not an option; however, you may be able to submit bills as part of your healthcare spending for taxes. Check with your tax professional.