About
Yanina Blanchard, Psy.D.
I’ve been practicing psychology for more than twenty years, and during that time I’ve had the privilege of working with people across cultures, identities, and life experiences. My career has taken me through community mental health centers, college counseling centers, and hospital-based training programs. I completed my pre-doctoral internships at Harvard Medical School–affiliated programs at Massachusetts General Hospital and Brigham and Women’s Hospital (now MGH Brigham), and my postdoctoral fellowship at the Cambridge Eating Disorder Center (CEDC).
Today, I’m a staff psychologist at Boston Behavioral Medicine, where I provide individual and group therapy, and supervise psychology interns, postdoctoral fellows, and social work fellows. I also teach seminars on Eating Disorders and Dialectical Behavior Therapy. I love this work deeply, and I feel honored every day to accompany clients through moments of growth, vulnerability, and healing.
I’m originally from Peru, where I earned my Bachelor's degree in Psychology and my Master's degree in Research Psychology. I practiced as a licensed psychologist in Lima for five years before moving to the United States to pursue my second Master's and my Doctorate in Clinical Psychology at William James College.
My experience as an immigrant has shaped me profoundly as a clinician. I understand what it means to rebuild your life in a new place, to navigate cultural transitions, and to hold multiple identities at once. These lived experiences give me a deeper appreciation for resilience, nuance, and the complex stories people carry. They also help me meet clients with cultural humility, warmth, and a genuine respect for the many ways people learn to survive and thrive.
When I’m not working, you can usually find me dancing at a Zumba class, reading, taking long walks, spending time with my husband and our two kids, or participating in community events. These moments refill me and help me stay grounded and present, something I strive to bring into my work with every client.
My Approach
My approach to therapy is integrative and shaped around what you uniquely need. I use well-researched methods that help people understand how their thoughts, feelings, and behaviors influence one another, along with practical tools for managing emotions, improving coping skills, and creating meaningful change in daily life. I also draw from approaches that explore your relationships, your history, and the deeper patterns that may be affecting how you feel today.
In addition to talk therapy, I incorporate body-based practices to help you tune into your physical sensations and use them as a guide toward healing. I’m informed by neuroscience and the polyvagal theory, which means I help you work with your nervous system in ways that support safety, grounding, and emotional regulation.
Together, this allows us to address both the challenges you’re facing right now and the underlying layers that shape your experience, so you can move toward lasting, meaningful growth.
Seeking therapy is a courageous step, and I commend you for being here. Healing and growth are possible, and you don’t have to do it alone. If you’re ready to take the next step, I’d be honored to support you on this journey. Please feel free to reach out, I look forward to working with you.
