A Little More About Me
My passion to become a clinical psychologist began at age 7 when my brother, Matthew, was born with Down Syndrome.
I saw how important helping professionals were to my brother and our family. I wanted to be able to do the same for individuals and families who are swept up in fear and uncertainty. At the end of his full life at 57, I saw the deep bonds within Matthew's community. It reinforced that no matter the limitations on IQ, language, or other differences, as humans, we all have the capacity for deep love and friendship. Most of us can’t fully express our thoughts and feelings, my goal is to help you move further along this trajectory. I would work with you to better know and accept yourself and live your life more authentically.
I grew up in an area where there was segregation, discrimination, and sometimes violence. I had compassion for people on all sides, and I could see the inequities and injustices as our lives unfolded. My goal has always been to be a curious, kind, open-hearted person and this has infused my clinical work. I am dedicated to helping you transform barriers, both internal and external, that have been getting in your way.
Another aspect of my career has been to be a lifelong learner and teacher. I began teaching at graduate programs in mental health shortly after I was licensed. Being an educator helps me stay current and abreast of the most up-to-date theories and practices.
Within a year of obtaining my license, I began supervising
post-doctoral psychology trainees, followed by supervising child psychiatry fellows and psychology post-doctoral students in a Harvard Medical School teaching hospital.
In addition to my professional passions, I enjoy reading, biking, hiking, swimming, paddle boarding, yoga, and spending time with my husband, adult children, and my 8-year-old golden retriever.
Education | Training
Education
1981 | BS University of Pittsburgh
1984 | MA University of Rhode Island
1987 | Ph.D University of Rhode Island
Post-Doctoral Training
1987 - 1988 Post Doctoral Fellow Atrius Health | Braintree, MA
Licensure
Licensed Psychologist
1989 - current Massachusetts
2021 - current Rhode Island
Academic Appointments
1990 Adjunct Faculty | University of Rhode Island
1991 Adjunct Faculty | Rhode Island College
1991 - 2000, 2016 Adjunct Faculty | Lesley University
1992, 1994, 1995 Adjunct Faculty | William James College
1996 - 2002 Clinical Instructor in Psychiatry | Harvard Medical School
2003 - 2014 Clinical Instructor in Psychology in the department of Psychiatry | Harvard Medical School
2015 - current Lecturer on Psychiatry, Part-time | Harvard
Medical School
Employment
1988 - 1999 Harvard Vanguard Medical Associates,
Staff Psychologist, Braintree, MA
1999 - current Psychologist | Supervisor | Consultant
Cambridge, MA | Wakefield RI
1999 - 2000 Hallowell Center, Staff Psychologist,
Sudbury, MA
2006 - 2007 Mental Health Services Program for Youth (MHSPY), Consulting Psychologist
2011 University of Massachusetts, Supervisor, Ph.D. Program in Clinical Psychology, Boston, MA (Winter Semester Only)
Professional Societies
1987 to current
1992 American Psychological Association, Member
1994 Children’s Group Therapy Association, Member
1996-1998 Massachusetts Psychologist Association, Member
2010. 2015, 2015 National Registry of Certified Group Therapists
2010 EMDRIA Association
2010 Psychoanalytic Couples and Family Institute
Publications
Book Chapters:
Mittelmeier, C. & Friedman, S. Towards a mutual understanding: constructing solutions with families. In S. Friedman, ed., New Language of Change, New York: Guilford, 1992, 158 -181.
Friedman, S., Brecher, S. & Mittelmeier, C. Widening the lens and sharpening the focus: The Reflecting Process in Managed Care. In S. Friedman, ed., The Reflecting Process in Action. Collaborative Practice in Family Therapy. New York: Guilford, 1995, pp. 184–204.
Friedman, S. & Mittelmeier, C. Managing complexity: the pragmatics of resource allocation. In S. Friedman, Time-Effective Psychotherapy: Maximizing outcomes in an era of minimized resources. Boston: Allyn and Bacon, 1997, pp. 117 – 136.
Journal Articles
Mittelmeier, C. , Rossi, J., Berman, A. A discriminative ability of the Trail Making Test in young children. 1989; 11: 163 – 166.
Mittelmeier, C., Friedman, S. The Rashomon effect: a study in constructivist conversation. Family Therapy 1991; 18(1): 17-36.
Mittelmeier, C., Meyer, B. Building social skills in school-age children. HMO Practice 1994: 8(1): 46-47.
Schneider, R., Mittelmeier, C., Gadish, D. Day vs. inpatient treatment for cocaine dependence. An experimental comparison. Journal of Mental Health Administration (1996), 23(2) 234-245.
Book Review
Selekman, M.D. (1997). Solution-focused therapy with children: Harnessing family strengths for systemic change. New York: Guilford Press. Review for Journal of Systemic Therapies,
18(2), 93-94.