Karen Stufflebeam, Psy.D.

02/07/2026

Do you engage in activities such as knitting or making music and question whether they provide benefits beyond leisure? This article examines evidence suggesting that participation in creative pursuits is associated with long-term mental and physical health benefits. 
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"Dr. Fancourt calls engaging in the arts “the forgotten fifth pillar of health,” alongside diet, sleep, exercise and nature. Research suggests that experiencing art and creativity, even for a few minutes a day, has tangible effects on our mental and physical health. Doing so helps slow cognitive decline, reduces the risk of heart disease and increases well-being as we age. Reading books, for example, is linked with living longer."
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Link to Full Article: https://www.nytimes.com/2026/02/06/well/art-craft-physical-mental-health.html?smid=url-share
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02/03/2026

Thinking about in-person therapy, but not the long MBTA waits or juggling multiple train transfers? You’re not alone. The good news: my new office is easy to get to and just a short walk from several popular train stations—so getting to therapy can feel a little less stressful from the start.
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Address: 185 Devonshire Street, Boston, MA, 02110.
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Via the MBTA, my office is a short walk from the below stations:
4-Minute walk | Downtown Crossing
5-Minute walk | State Street
7-Minute walk | South Station
8-Minute walk | Government Center
8-Minute walk | Park Street
9-Minute walk | Aquarium
10-Minute walk | Chinatown
10-Minute walk | Haymarket
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01/28/2026

Feeling overwhelmed by the state of the world? Constant news alerts and endless scrolling can make it feel like there’s no escape.

You don’t have to carry all of that alone. Therapy can offer a supportive space to process the stress, anxiety, and heaviness—and help you develop a thoughtful, healthier way to engage with the news without feeling consumed by it.

If this resonates, I’d love to connect. Feel free to reach out via email to talk more about what you’re experiencing and how therapy can support you through it.

karen.stufflebeam@drkarenstufflebeam.com

01/25/2026

Have you been thinking about therapy, or know someone who might benefit from extra support? Getting started is simple. Just send me a short email about what’s on your mind, and we’ll set up a free 15-minute phone call to chat and see if working together feels right—no pressure or obligation.

Contact — Karen Stufflebeam, Psy.D. https://www.drkarenstufflebeam.com/contact-me

01/23/2026

I’m thrilled to share some exciting news! Beginning February 1st, my private practice will be expanding to a new location at 185 Devonshire Street, Boston, MA 02110. Every Wednesday from 8:00am–8:00pm, I’ll have the privilege of serving clients in the heart of Boston’s vibrant and historic Financial District. This expansion marks an exciting new chapter for my practice, and I couldn’t be more excited to finally share it with you.
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Please feel free to pass this along and help spread the word. I currently have morning, lunchtime, and after-work appointments available, with openings starting right away.
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Thank you, as always, for your continued support — I’m so looking forward to this next step!

01/18/2026

My private practice has an exciting announcement coming soon...

12/17/2025

https://blog.zencare.co/brown-university-gun-violence/?utm_campaign=Promo%3A+Brown+University+Support+%26+Resources&utm_content=Promo%3A+Brown+University+Support+%26+Resources&utm_medium=email_action&utm_source=customer.io

A recent tragedy at Brown University has left the campus community reeling. This article explores how such violence affects mental health, the ripple effects of trauma, and where students and loved ones can turn for meaningful support and healing.

09/22/2025

"Vaccines do not cause autism. Claims of any such association have been repeatedly discredited in peer reviewed studies.

Autism is a complex disorder, and it is incorrect to imply that a handful of studies have established causation. A strong base of evidence shows that acetaminophen, when taken as directed, is safe for use during pregnancy. Any decisions around a course of treatment should be determined by a patient and their doctor.

Leucovorin (folinic acid) has not been a recommended treatment for autism. It will require many more years of research before we know if leucovorin is an appropriate treatment for individuals with autism.

Autism spectrum disorders exist on a spectrum of neurodiversity. The country must focus its resources on expanding access to care and to building the evidence-base for future treatments.”

APA is an organization of psychiatrists working together to ensure humane care and effective treatment for all persons with mental illness, including substance use disorders.

09/22/2025

I just finished reading 'It's Not You: Identifying and Healing from Narcissistic People.'

Link: https://a.co/d/flgUkkB

"It’s not always easy to tell when you’re dealing with a narcissist. One day they draw you in with their confidence and charisma, the next they gaslight you, wreck your self-confidence, and leave you wondering, What could I have done differently?

As Dr. Ramani Durvasula reveals in It's Not You, the answer is: absolutely nothing. Just as a tiger can’t change its stripes, a narcissist won’t stop manipulating and invalidating you. To heal in the aftermath of their abuse and protect yourself from future harm, you first have to accept that you are not to blame.

Deeply compassionate and revelatory, It’s Not You examines how narcissists hijack our wellbeing and offers a healing path forward. Drawing on more than 20 years of studying, teaching, and helping clients navigate the landscape of narcissism, Dr. Durvasula unpacks the oft-misunderstood personality, showing how to identify the telltale signs that you may be dealing with a narcissist and protect yourself from their toxic influence. Along the way, you’ll learn how to become gaslight resistant, chip away at the trauma bonds that keep us stuck in these cycles, grieve the losses, create realistic boundaries, learn the fine art of discernment, and recover your sense of self after years of invalidation.

Healing and thriving after or even during a narcissistic relationship can be challenging, but it is possible. It's Not You shows that the first step is to stop trying to change the narcissistic person, stop blaming yourself, and start giving yourself permission to foster your autonomy and sense of self outside of this relationship."

09/10/2025

09/01/2025

I spent my summer reading a variety of books on different topics in psychology.
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"Is there just one “you”? We’ve been taught to believe we have a single identity, and to feel fear or shame when we can’t control the inner voices that don’t match the ideal of who we think we should be. Yet Dr. Richard Schwartz’s research now challenges this “mono-mind” theory. “All of us are born with many sub-minds―or parts,” says Dr. Schwartz. “These parts are not imaginary or symbolic. They are individuals who exist as an internal family within us―and the key to health and happiness is to honor, understand, and love every part.” Dr. Schwartz’s Internal Family Systems (IFS) model has been transforming psychology for decades. With No Bad Parts, you’ll learn why IFS has been so effective in areas such as trauma recovery, addiction therapy, and depression treatment―and how this new understanding of consciousness has the potential to radically change our lives."

02/20/2025

Knowing what makes a great therapist great can be a tricky thing to put into words. However, it is much more obvious when a therapist is bad. Check out this article from the New York Times that discusses different peoples' experience in therapy that was unprofessional and at times even unethical.

https://www.nytimes.com/2025/02/20/well/mind/bad-therapists.html?utm_source=instagram&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=ig-stories&utm_content=ig-nyt_well&fbclid=PAZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAAaZn65fAmBLFXYE_gKBfDF4JL8FpHgFwFnQPAavODH2kQLMKemahW9FpCAE_aem_tr6a2RJpAuymKjSZnwdXJw

Declarations of love, snoring, exercising and other boundary violations can really derail a therapeutic relationship.