EXPERT
Marian Kaplun Shapiro
Psychologist
Dr. Marian Shapiro is a psychologist practicing in Lexington, Massachusetts. Dr. Shapiro specializes in the treatment of health mental problems, and helps people to cope with their mental illnesses. As a psychologist, Dr. Shapiro evaluates and treats patients through a variety of methods, most typically being psychotherapy or talk therapy. Patients usually visit Dr. Shapiro because they have been experiencing depression, anxiety, stress or anger for a significant period of time and are seeking help. Psychologists may perform a variety of exams and assessments to diagnose a mental condition.
Marian Kaplun Shapiro
- Lexington, Massachusetts
- Harvard University
- Accepting new patients
Hypnosis
Do you have frequent nightmares? Panic attacks? Debilitating phobias? Have you been told that you suffer from PTSD? These are all conditions that can be treated successfully...
What is Anxiety?
Anxiety. Even the word makes you feel anxious. From the Latin anxietās, this word, and its many synonyms (worry, nervousness, upset, distress…), has described states of mind...
Is it bad? Should I go to the hospital?
It would be a good idea to check it out —- but most important is to stop doing it! Many habit-breaking methods can help: hypnosis, cognitive behavioral exercises — do look into READ MORE
It would be a good idea to check it out —- but most important is to stop doing it! Many habit-breaking methods can help: hypnosis, cognitive behavioral exercises — do look into them! Even simple symptom substitution - like doing something else when u feel that urge - bang a nail with a hammer for ex - may work for you.
Good luck!
Peace,
Dr. Marian Shapiro
Good luck!
Peace,
Dr. Marian Shapiro
Borderline Personality Disorder?
Hello,
It is wonderful that you want to know! Knowledge is the first step in getting help! It would be best if you can search out an experienced clinician for an evaluation. READ MORE
Hello,
It is wonderful that you want to know! Knowledge is the first step in getting help! It would be best if you can search out an experienced clinician for an evaluation. Sometimes the best place to find a good referral is an academic hospital – for example, in the Boston area where I am, I would ask someone in the Department of Psychiatry at Beth Israel or Mass General. It might take as little as one session, or as much as three sessions, but you will get the answer you need, and perhaps a referral to a person who will be a good match for you.
Good luck to you!
Peace,
Dr. Marian K. Shapiro
It is wonderful that you want to know! Knowledge is the first step in getting help! It would be best if you can search out an experienced clinician for an evaluation. Sometimes the best place to find a good referral is an academic hospital – for example, in the Boston area where I am, I would ask someone in the Department of Psychiatry at Beth Israel or Mass General. It might take as little as one session, or as much as three sessions, but you will get the answer you need, and perhaps a referral to a person who will be a good match for you.
Good luck to you!
Peace,
Dr. Marian K. Shapiro
Can going to talk therapy make you worse?
Hello,
No, talk therapy can’t make you worse, but it is possible that another kind of therapy might make you better - better! Can shoes make your feet hurt? Sure, if they READ MORE
Hello,
No, talk therapy can’t make you worse, but it is possible that another kind of therapy might make you better - better! Can shoes make your feet hurt? Sure, if they don’t fit you! Seek out a consult who can evaluate what kind of therapy would fit you best.
Peace,
Dr. Marian Shapiro
No, talk therapy can’t make you worse, but it is possible that another kind of therapy might make you better - better! Can shoes make your feet hurt? Sure, if they don’t fit you! Seek out a consult who can evaluate what kind of therapy would fit you best.
Peace,
Dr. Marian Shapiro
Very worried?
Glad you reached out - go to an emergency room of a hospital. Do that right away and you will get the help you need.
Peace,
Dr. Marian Shapiro
Peace,
Dr. Marian Shapiro
Understanding individuals' conditions?
Hello,
You are 16? You have the capabilities many adults never attain. Of course good help exists, but where you live perhaps not. However, this is the era of Zoom, so assuming READ MORE
Hello,
You are 16? You have the capabilities many adults never attain. Of course good help exists, but where you live perhaps not. However, this is the era of Zoom, so assuming you have sufficient tech access, you can work with a therapist remotely. I assure you, havIng spent all of the last COVID year working on Zoom, it is a very successful modality for therapy. Preferable, even, for some people who have well-developed intellects and want to understand themselves.
So, where to find and "meet" such a person? Believe it or not, if you don’t have a good local referral person (could be a teacher, or other adult you trust), try Find A Top Doc - that is a good start. Other sites also have therapist-written bios, some with videos. Make sure the person is legit - a licensed psychologist or social worker - and then assess their ability to understand you and their experience and interest in doing so. Perhaps show them this letter you wrote.
I have had many clients in their 40’s-80’s who had histories like yours, who found good help on their own at your age. They all did really well in their later lives - good careers, part era, interests, some with children and some not. You can do it too.
Peace,
Dr. Marian Shapiro
You are 16? You have the capabilities many adults never attain. Of course good help exists, but where you live perhaps not. However, this is the era of Zoom, so assuming you have sufficient tech access, you can work with a therapist remotely. I assure you, havIng spent all of the last COVID year working on Zoom, it is a very successful modality for therapy. Preferable, even, for some people who have well-developed intellects and want to understand themselves.
So, where to find and "meet" such a person? Believe it or not, if you don’t have a good local referral person (could be a teacher, or other adult you trust), try Find A Top Doc - that is a good start. Other sites also have therapist-written bios, some with videos. Make sure the person is legit - a licensed psychologist or social worker - and then assess their ability to understand you and their experience and interest in doing so. Perhaps show them this letter you wrote.
I have had many clients in their 40’s-80’s who had histories like yours, who found good help on their own at your age. They all did really well in their later lives - good careers, part era, interests, some with children and some not. You can do it too.
Peace,
Dr. Marian Shapiro
BPD?
You mean, how would personality disorders be expressed in the mothering role? Rages alternating with sweetness; narcissistic behavior in which it’s really ‘all about her’ (the READ MORE
You mean, how would personality disorders be expressed in the mothering role? Rages alternating with sweetness; narcissistic behavior in which it’s really ‘all about her’ (the child’s accomplishments or failures are seen as the mother’s) – these are the most common. Try reading a book on personality disorders and you will likely find all the information you are looking for.
Peace,
Dr. Marian Shapiro
Peace,
Dr. Marian Shapiro
Bipolar intrusive memories and paranoia?
Yes, and Yes. Consultation with what I hope is a good meds prescriber would be helpful in determining if, for example, you are experiencing a side effect from one of your medications READ MORE
Yes, and Yes. Consultation with what I hope is a good meds prescriber would be helpful in determining if, for example, you are experiencing a side effect from one of your medications or from an interaction between/among them; or, if it is a part of the bipolar condition itself. Do check it out – you certainly don’t need more problems managing your conditions!
Peace,
Dr. Marian K. Shapiro
Peace,
Dr. Marian K. Shapiro
Is CBT better than psychodynamic therapy?
Yes, no, and it depends. Plus, to complicate the matter, these are only 2 of many types of therapy, and the specifics are also important to the fit. Think about shoes: sandals, READ MORE
Yes, no, and it depends. Plus, to complicate the matter, these are only 2 of many types of therapy, and the specifics are also important to the fit. Think about shoes: sandals, sneakers, high heels, flats, platforms, boots, wedges, etc. And then the length, width, and materials: leather, suede, artificial, cloth....and the smallest detail may make or break the usefulness to YOU! So, read up, and then go to a generalist/consultant and ask your particular questions. Then, meet with someone you think is qualified and see if it feels comfortable to talk to them. And Good Luck!
Peace,
Marian Shapiro
Peace,
Marian Shapiro
What is the difference between a psychologist and a neuropsychologist?
Hi,
Good question! A Psychologist can be a clinician (a therapist) or a research or academic practitioner. A Neuropsychologist is a specialist in brain function, and works READ MORE
Hi,
Good question! A Psychologist can be a clinician (a therapist) or a research or academic practitioner. A Neuropsychologist is a specialist in brain function, and works as an academician, a researcher, and/or a consultant, often based in a hospital or rehab.
Peace,
Dr. Marian K. Shapiro
Good question! A Psychologist can be a clinician (a therapist) or a research or academic practitioner. A Neuropsychologist is a specialist in brain function, and works as an academician, a researcher, and/or a consultant, often based in a hospital or rehab.
Peace,
Dr. Marian K. Shapiro
Does depression cause personality change?
I assume you must have reasons beyond ‘oversleeping’ to say that your daughter is depressed. Perhaps it would be good to take her to her pediatrician for an evaluation.
Should READ MORE
I assume you must have reasons beyond ‘oversleeping’ to say that your daughter is depressed. Perhaps it would be good to take her to her pediatrician for an evaluation.
Should it be that she is actually depressed, that means that she feels miserable. So it would be good to find her relevant treatment. Depression does not cause personality change itself, but the results of depression can lead to poor self worth, lack of friendships and socialization normal for teens, lack of success at school, etc.
So, do get her some help!
Peace,
Dr. Marian K. Shapiro
Licensed psychologist
Should it be that she is actually depressed, that means that she feels miserable. So it would be good to find her relevant treatment. Depression does not cause personality change itself, but the results of depression can lead to poor self worth, lack of friendships and socialization normal for teens, lack of success at school, etc.
So, do get her some help!
Peace,
Dr. Marian K. Shapiro
Licensed psychologist
What is the difference between marriage counseling and couples therapy?
Simple answer – nothing except the legality of marriage! Any "couple" (planning to marry, married, planning to divorce, divorced [to discuss children, for ex.], partnered, gay, READ MORE
Simple answer – nothing except the legality of marriage! Any "couple" (planning to marry, married, planning to divorce, divorced [to discuss children, for ex.], partnered, gay, etc.) can go to therapy to work on their relationship. Just another word for the same thing. So, whatever your relationship status is, you can go! Likewise, "counseling" and "therapy" are usually used interchangeably, although some might think counseling has more "advice" giving than therapy. You can ask the person you contact what their orientation is, and they ought to be able to summarize it in a few sentences (or, nowadays, you may find the explanation on their website.)
Peace, and good luck,
Dr. Marian K. Shapiro
Peace, and good luck,
Dr. Marian K. Shapiro
What are the causes of psychological stress?
Short answer to a very complex question: when anyone feels unequipped or threatened by a situation, they become stressed. Direction to go? Ask for help!
Peace,
Dr. Marian READ MORE
Short answer to a very complex question: when anyone feels unequipped or threatened by a situation, they become stressed. Direction to go? Ask for help!
Peace,
Dr. Marian Shapiro
Peace,
Dr. Marian Shapiro
Handling stress?
Hi,
Good for you, good choice! You can find a counselor specializing in stress reduction fairly easily. There is so much stress this year, and fortunately many trained in dealing READ MORE
Hi,
Good for you, good choice! You can find a counselor specializing in stress reduction fairly easily. There is so much stress this year, and fortunately many trained in dealing with it. I don’t know where you live, but that may not be relevant in this telehealth era. A good place to start would be at your local community hospital where they will likely have a list of appropriate counselors. There are also reputable non-profit referral organizations where you can search by topic (“stress”) and read bios of the people on that list. And, there are also groups that teach stress-reduction techniques/mediation/exercise, but those will not address your particular issues. Sometimes an individual counselor plus such a group is a very effective combination.
Good luck!
Peace,
Dr. Marian Shapiro
Good for you, good choice! You can find a counselor specializing in stress reduction fairly easily. There is so much stress this year, and fortunately many trained in dealing with it. I don’t know where you live, but that may not be relevant in this telehealth era. A good place to start would be at your local community hospital where they will likely have a list of appropriate counselors. There are also reputable non-profit referral organizations where you can search by topic (“stress”) and read bios of the people on that list. And, there are also groups that teach stress-reduction techniques/mediation/exercise, but those will not address your particular issues. Sometimes an individual counselor plus such a group is a very effective combination.
Good luck!
Peace,
Dr. Marian Shapiro
Can you overcome anxiety by yourself?
Well, it depends – how immobilizing is the anxiety? Does it include panic attacks? Is it ‘about’ something in particular, or just all the time for no particular reason? Have you READ MORE
Well, it depends – how immobilizing is the anxiety? Does it include panic attacks? Is it ‘about’ something in particular, or just all the time for no particular reason? Have you tried meditation? Have you spoken to a professional, such as your physician? And is this anxiety only recent or for a long time? All these things are important to consider. Perhaps you should start by talking to a professional who can point you in the best direction for you, including some form of self-practice. Then you can start in the best direction to get some relief.
Good luck!
Peace,
Dr. Marian K. Shapiro
Good luck!
Peace,
Dr. Marian K. Shapiro
Antipsychotic?
What a terrible dilemma. As a psychologist, I am not well-versed on medications - you should consult a psychiatrist with experience in medication for psychosis and schizophrenia. READ MORE
What a terrible dilemma. As a psychologist, I am not well-versed on medications - you should consult a psychiatrist with experience in medication for psychosis and schizophrenia. It may be that a different class of drugs is available that will be possible for you. Also, expertise. Women’s Health would be useful. In many medical fields, there have been new findings - I hope there is a good solution for you. You are obviously an intelligent and thoughtful person. Find someone who is committed to finding a useful answer for you.
Peace,
Dr. Marian Shapiro
Peace,
Dr. Marian Shapiro
Anxiety problems?
Hi,
The good news about COVID is that you can get to a doctor ONLINE! I do hope you have internet access. Although a bigger screen is better for what I will suggest, even a READ MORE
Hi,
The good news about COVID is that you can get to a doctor ONLINE! I do hope you have internet access. Although a bigger screen is better for what I will suggest, even a cellphone will work if you can get internet on it. I suggest you search for a specialist in hypnosis – a psychologist, psychiatrist, social worker, nurse, PA – basically, a licensed provider, who can teach you hypnosis for anxiety control. It is very easy to learn, and can be learned on zoom just fine. I know because that is my specialty. Look up the American Society of Clinical Hypnosis, and filter their referral list by ANXIETY. It is as simple as that. Anyone can learn it, and it doesn’t take a lot of specialized training to teach it, so even a licensed person with only a few years of experience can teach you.
Good luck!
Peace,
Dr. Marian Shapiro, Licensed Clinical Psychologist
The good news about COVID is that you can get to a doctor ONLINE! I do hope you have internet access. Although a bigger screen is better for what I will suggest, even a cellphone will work if you can get internet on it. I suggest you search for a specialist in hypnosis – a psychologist, psychiatrist, social worker, nurse, PA – basically, a licensed provider, who can teach you hypnosis for anxiety control. It is very easy to learn, and can be learned on zoom just fine. I know because that is my specialty. Look up the American Society of Clinical Hypnosis, and filter their referral list by ANXIETY. It is as simple as that. Anyone can learn it, and it doesn’t take a lot of specialized training to teach it, so even a licensed person with only a few years of experience can teach you.
Good luck!
Peace,
Dr. Marian Shapiro, Licensed Clinical Psychologist
My adult daughter has become extremely afraid of germs in the last few years?
Hello - not clear what kind of ‘other problems’ you are referring to. Are these all problems for her, or only for you? Does she considered them problems? If she doesn’t, and is READ MORE
Hello - not clear what kind of ‘other problems’ you are referring to. Are these all problems for her, or only for you? Does she considered them problems? If she doesn’t, and is an adult, you are out of her loop. If she wants help, you can volunteer to assist in finding it, starting perhaps with her primary care physician. Perhaps, in the age of COVID, she feels it is reasonable to take such precautions, extreme though they are, and that it is you who are erring by not doing so. At any rate, although you mean well, legally you can’t act for her unless her life is in danger.
Peace,
Marian Shapiro
Licensed Psychologist
Peace,
Marian Shapiro
Licensed Psychologist
I'm concerned about my emotions?
Hello,
I don’t know if there is any general understanding of this phenomenon, but it is very common. It seems to be a form of ‘disinhibition’ that comes with older age, more READ MORE
Hello,
I don’t know if there is any general understanding of this phenomenon, but it is very common. It seems to be a form of ‘disinhibition’ that comes with older age, more common with men than women. Perhaps women were not so inhibited about showing their soft emotions! Of course, in another 20 years when more working feminists reach your age, perhaps they too will have inhibited their tears...
At any rate, remember Rosie Greer - “It’s all right to cry...” and go right ahead.
Peace,
Dr. Marian Shapiro
I don’t know if there is any general understanding of this phenomenon, but it is very common. It seems to be a form of ‘disinhibition’ that comes with older age, more common with men than women. Perhaps women were not so inhibited about showing their soft emotions! Of course, in another 20 years when more working feminists reach your age, perhaps they too will have inhibited their tears...
At any rate, remember Rosie Greer - “It’s all right to cry...” and go right ahead.
Peace,
Dr. Marian Shapiro
How do I help my adult daughter?
Hello,
Has your daughter ever had complete psych testing? That is what I would recommend. You can get a referral to a neuro psych testing specialist from your primary care READ MORE
Hello,
Has your daughter ever had complete psych testing? That is what I would recommend. You can get a referral to a neuro psych testing specialist from your primary care or from a hospital, especially one with academic connections. The results of such an evaluation will make it possible to decide what is best going forward.
Good luck!
Peace,
Dr. Marian Shapiro
Has your daughter ever had complete psych testing? That is what I would recommend. You can get a referral to a neuro psych testing specialist from your primary care or from a hospital, especially one with academic connections. The results of such an evaluation will make it possible to decide what is best going forward.
Good luck!
Peace,
Dr. Marian Shapiro
I think I may have Aspergers?
Good thinking – it is possible, but I cannot tell without meeting a person and sometimes adding some psych testing. Why not make an appointment with a psychologist who does such READ MORE
Good thinking – it is possible, but I cannot tell without meeting a person and sometimes adding some psych testing. Why not make an appointment with a psychologist who does such testing, if they think it is called for? Many people do fine in their lives with that diagnosis – some have become quite famous in their fields, in fact. But it is always better to know, and to use whatever methods help manage your life.
Peace,
Dr. Marian K. Shapiro, Licensed Psychologist
Peace,
Dr. Marian K. Shapiro, Licensed Psychologist
