Hal Brown, LICSW

Providing individual psychotherapy, marriage counseling, divorce counseling and partner's therapy to those living in Middleboro, Massachusetts, and the surrounding South Shore towns of Carver, Lakeville, Raynham, Plymouth, Kingston, Duxbury, Rochester, Wareham, Taunton, and Plympton. I am located a half hour from Brockton, Fall River and New Bedford.

I am one of only several psychotherapists in Middleborough. Most of the mental health therapists and marriage counselors in the area have offices in the larger cities in the region.   (Click here for directions). I have been a counselor for over thirty-five years and am currently partially retired maintaining a small private practice.

 You can call me for information or to arrange for an appointment at 508, 947-5601.

If you came across this site because you're looking for a therapist near Middleboro, Massachusetts, the following will give you a good idea about who I am.

Something about me:

I received my Masters in Social Work from Michigan State University in 1971* and have been a psychotherapist ever since. My main salaried work experience was with one of the best community mental health programs in the country, the Mason Mental Health Center (where I was the supervisor), part of the Clinton-Eaton-Ingham Community Mental Health Board headquartered in Lansing, Michigan. I have always had a private practice along with my salaried job.

In addition to practicing psychotherapy, I was the supervisor of two rural mental health centers, a clinical supervisor, and a field instructor helping to train clinical social workers from both Michigan State University and the University of Michigan. I've presented workshops at several state and two national conferences on a variety of clinical topics.

I am in general adult and couples practice where I work with patients who are businessmen and women, construction and trade workers, housewives, college students, techies in the electronics and computer industry and executives. I also have had considerable experience working with with police officers and correction officers in both individual and couple's therapy.

My office is very private. It is at home with its own waiting room and entrance, overlooking the cranberry bogs which, until a few years ago when they were sold, were owned by my wife and her family dating back to the late 1930's.

I work with people with anxiety, depression and relationship problems, with people who are compulsive, irritable, and those who suffer from self-doubt. I also work with people who are struggling with more existential questions such as who they are and what their life is all about.

I believe therapy should be a partnership between you and I, that the basis for good therapy is trust, and that it is my responsibility for seeing to it that you aren't spinning you wheels fruitlessly while I sit back and wait for you "to get it on your own," while I have a pretty good idea where you have to go to resolve your problems.

I don't have any particular "brand" of psychotherapy that I practice, especially since the type of therapy I provide depends on your needs and desires. Generally for symptom reduction, therapy that gives you support and encouragement, and helps you better understand self-defeating behaviors and thought patterns, and change them, is the most effective.

My understanding of personality dynamics comes from being trained in psychodynamic and psychoanalytically oriented therapy in the masters program at Michigan State University in the early 1970's. While I do not have post-graduate training in this area (I am not a psychoanalyst), I have considerable experience in providing therapy that is aimed at helping you gain insight into yourself and how your family of origin influenced who you are.

I also blend what is now known as cognitive-behavior therapy into my approach as needed. Basically this helps you to recognize and change your self-defeating thoughts and behaviors. I have utilized many elements of this approach since graduate school, long before it became popular and research demonstrated how effective it was.

I have discovered over many years that it's the personality of the therapist, their ability to listen, and the connection he or she makes with the client that dictates success or failure in therapy. I tend to be suspicious of any of the "therapy of the month" flavors of treatment often touted in best selling books and by their authors on talk shows.

You may not always like what I have to say, but I will tell you what I think if I believe it will be helpful.

FAQ

Do you accept insurance?

No. Until 2005 I was on most insurance company panels, and accepted insurance for all but one or two of the major insurance companies in this area. In 2005 I decided to accept only self-paying clients.

Why did you stop accepting insurance?

I stopped accepting insurance because I did not have the time nor inclination to complete the paperwork needed for billing, and for following up on denied claims.

I also objected to the fact that a new managed care company which was handling mental health insurance for the company which covered 2/3rds of my clients required information that I did not believe they needed to authorize services. That company also required an exclusive rest room for clients on the same floor as my office, which I was not able to provide.

What do you charge? How long is the typical session?

My fee for new clients as of January 1, 2008 is $125.00. Generally sessions are 50 minutes long but I leave a buffer at the end so we can wrap up any discussions if needs be. Rates are subject to change annually.

Can you lower your fee if I have financial difficulties?

On a case by case basis I will consider lowering my fee based on financial hardship.

* and my BA in Psychology, also from Michigan State in 1969

Also published by me, a website about my hometown, Middleboro Matters, linked here to help with search engine listings.