Margaret Boyden, LMSW, is an experienced psychotherapist who has extensive experience working with clients struggling with depression, anxiety, life transitions, parenting challenges, and relational trauma. Ms. Boyden earned her MA in Social Work from New York University and has additional education in developmental psychology and trauma-informed psychotherapy. 

She has received training in private psychotherapy clinics, outpatient hospital facilities, as well as school and community mental health settings.

Ms. Boyden’s approach to therapy is strengths-based, centered in empathy and dignity. She works to support self-determination and freedom from overwhelming feelings and negative beliefs that can prevent clients from seeing choices and recognizing their strengths. She draws from a variety of treatment modalities, including humanistic, behavioral, and trauma-informed practices, always prioritizing the therapeutic relationship, compassion, and a positive working alliance with clients.

How Margaret practices self-care

As a mother of three kids who at times has suffered from sports injuries and my own life challenges, I have come to practice self-care regularly. I know that whenever I engage in self-care, I am investing in optimal energy and better balance. It helps me feel buoyant and open to life on a daily basis. For me, the most important practice for self-care is compassion. I can choose from a large variety of activities that might help me rest, distract me from difficult feelings, or give me joy. Exploring different resources has also given me a sense of mastery. It’s a confidence boost to know that I can take care of myself with some ease and even enjoyment. My choices range from light exercise that’s more about getting some blood flow and oxygen than about burning calories, arts and crafts, listening to audiobooks, hanging out with friends, and more. All of these experiences help me tolerate the days and seasons in life when I might be overwhelmed or struggling with big feelings that can seem relentless and all-consuming, or just so tiring. When I am judging myself for having feelings or judging the choices I’m making about how to help myself, then nothing seems to work. Recognizing that self-care requires bravery and skill (when I might feel least strong or good about myself) makes any activity or choice more effective. It also helps me make better choices—remembering to breathe and be gentle with myself when I might have pushed myself too hard to be productive or to make the “right” choice. Remembering self-compassion unlocks skills and strengths I didn’t know I had.

Full spotlight here.