Aaron E. Kaplan, PsyD

Co-Founder, Director at Hope Ave Therapy

Licensed Clinical Psychologist | he/him

 

Specialties & Expertise

  • College/Graduate Mental Health

  • Life Transitions

  • Identity Development

    • Understanding, accepting, and strengthening one’s sense of self through the exploration of family, work, and personal values

  • Existential Challenges

    • Supportive exploration of meaning and purpose in one’s life; confronting death anxiety; finding one’s path in the face of existential anxiety, dread, and feelings of meaninglessness

  • Sports Psychology

  • Psychosis, schizophrenia and family members of individuals who experience psychosis

 

Clientele

  • Adolescents 

  • Young Adults

  • Adults

Hours

Monday - Friday 9am – 5pm

 
 
 

Professional Statement

I am a licensed clinical psychologist practicing in Waltham, MA. My therapeutic approach is rooted in an existential, humanistic perspective and draws from psychodynamic and relational theories.

I received my bachelor's degree in psychology from the University of Rochester and my doctoral degree in clinical psychology (PsyD) from William James College. I completed a clinical practicum at the Massachusetts Mental Health Center (BIDMC/Harvard Medical School), an APA approved internship at the Brigham and Women's Faulkner Hospital (Harvard teaching hospital) and Rhode Island College Counseling Center. I completed my postdoctoral fellowship at the Brandeis University Counseling Center.

My experience is broad. I have mostly worked with college students and adults on life transitions, existential questions and challenges, identity development, anxiety, depression, grief/loss, trauma and relationship problems. I have 5 years of supervised training doing psychological and psychoeducational assessments for children, college students and adults, and have experience working with people struggling with serious mental illnesses and their families. I have also lectured at Boston University, Brandeis University, William James College and Temple University on topics such as: psychodynamic psychotherapy, adult psychopathology, suicide and suicide prevention, and schizophrenia and other psychotic disorders.

Outside of work, I value spending quality time with family and friends. I also enjoy seeing live music (well, I used to!), binging Netflix, and watching/playing sports.

Treatment Approaches

  • Humanistic

  • Relational

  • Existential

  • Psychodynamic

  • Strengths-based 

Insurance/Billing

I am not in-network with any insurances. I can provide you with paperwork for your insurance company if you are seeking out-of-network reimbursement.

→ Read about the benefits of seeing an out-of-network provider here.

→ More information on utilizing out-of-network benefits here.

Out-of-Pocket Fees

  • Ongoing sessions: $240 (50 mins)

  • Groups: $75 (80 mins)

  • Personality Assessment Inventory (PAI): $450

    • The PAI is an objective personality measure that permits inferences about personality style and structure. It assesses psychopathological syndromes and provides information relevant for clinical diagnosis, treatment planning, and screening for psychopathology

Testimonials

"Dr. Kaplan supported tremendously when it came to exploring the different aspects of my life and where there was room for improvement. He challenged me in a way that led to true self-improvement and stronger interpersonal relationships. He is incredibly sympathetic, genuine and patient; I truly felt as though he was present and listened without judgement during all of our sessions"

“Aaron is just the best. He will try his hardest to make you feel better about yourself. He’s very cool and easy to vent to. I will miss you!!”

“Dr. Kaplan was someone I felt I could trust and respect in a time when I was generally unsure of either. He is adaptable, bold, and assuring. I appreciate his sensitive, welcoming, and unassuming demeanor and felt that the work we did together was truly collaborative. He gave me the tools and confidence to help myself outside of our sessions.”

“For the short time I saw Aaron, I began to see myself as a stronger and more independent person, even in my moments of weakness. The reason I think so highly of Aaron is that he had a natural ability to locate me in my present moment; he never guided our sessions with a particular agenda, and had a keen sense of my own willingness to share and be open. With that in mind, he attuned his practice to challenge and nurture my own self-development. The culture Aaron creates in a therapy session is intentional from the beginning. Because of this, he was someone who I turned to in both times of crisis and also in moments of serenity where I was able to bask in my own self-discovery. Working with Aaron was an extremely important part of my year in graduate school. I had a very trusting relationship with Aaron, one that I valued immensely as it helped me enter a new chapter of my life.”

Therapy Groups

Featured
Getting Ready for High School
Getting Ready for High School

A DBT-Focused Group for 8th Graders Going Into 9th Grade

July 2023 / Wednesdays at 3pm In-Person / $85 per session

Group Facilitators: Rabiatu Orlandimeje, LCSW & Skye Walker, MSW

Learn skills to navigate the complex social and emotional challenges that come with high school

Contact: Rabiatu Orlandimeje to register at rabiatu@HopeAveTherapy.com or click here!

Phone: 443.420.8583

Feelings and Coping Skills Group
Feelings and Coping Skills Group

Starts Fall 2023 / Mondays at 6pm / 6 Week group / $85 per session

Group Facilitator: Brianna Bach

A 6 week in-person group for Kids ages 8-10 to learn about managing big emotions and coping skills.

Please contact Brianna Bach, LMHC for more info and to discuss participation!

brianna@hopeavetherapy.com

Ourselves and Others Group
Ourselves and Others Group

Fall 2023 / Wednesday Evenings / 12 Week group / $75 per session (sliding scale)

Group Facilitator: Aaron Kaplan

This group provides a confidential space for young adults (twenties — early thirties) to discuss, reflect, and receive feedback on the interpersonal dynamics present in their relationships with others. This group will help members increase their understanding of their own interpersonal style and how people impact one another, and aims to increase confidence, decrease anxiety in social situations, facilitate connectedness, and foster a sense of community. Group members will work towards feeling empowered to explore new ways of relating both within the group and within their personal lives.

Register Now!

Aaron E. Kaplan, PsyD | Aaron@HopeAveTherapy.com