You were trained to keep going. That's part of the problem.
Medicine rewards the ability to set your own needs aside. For a while, that works. Then the cost shows up: dread before shifts, irritability at home, a numbness toward patients you used to feel for, or a quiet question about whether you can keep doing this.
Saga Health & Wellness provides individual therapy for physicians at every career stage, from residency through late career. Sessions are available in person in Wellesley, Massachusetts, and by telehealth for physicians located in Massachusetts or Arizona.
What physicians bring to therapy here
Burnout or moral injury? The distinction matters.
Burnout is exhaustion and detachment from chronic workplace stress. Recovery, boundaries, and workload changes help.
Moral injury is the distress of knowing what a patient needs and being unable to provide it: because of prior authorizations, staffing, productivity targets, or decisions made above you. It tends to show up as anger, guilt, shame, or grief for the medicine you thought you'd practice.
Vacation doesn't fix moral injury, because the wound is about values rather than fatigue. Many physicians carry both. Naming which is which is often the first relief.
Why physicians choose Dr. Palsdottir
Soffia Palsdottir, Psy.D., is a licensed clinical psychologist in Massachusetts and Arizona.
- Spent four years at Banner MD Anderson Cancer Center, working across oncology specialties, including stem cell transplant evaluations, alongside physicians and care teams in one of medicine's most demanding settings
- Served as Chief Clinical Psychologist and Director of Training at a multi-site mental health center, where she built a postdoctoral residency program and trained clinicians
- Has written for Psychology Today on the experiences of providers in oncology Read the article →
She knows the culture of medicine from the inside: the expectation of infallibility, the stigma around needing help, and why being told to "practice self-care" can feel like being blamed for a broken system.
You won't need to explain what a 28-hour call is, or why a bad outcome follows you home.
Privacy and discretion
We understand that confidentiality is often the deciding factor for physicians considering therapy.
Private-pay practice. We don't bill insurance directly. No claim is filed unless you choose to submit a superbill for out-of-network reimbursement.
Separate from your institution. Saga is an independent practice with no affiliation with your hospital, health system, or employer.
Clear about limits. Confidentiality and its legal exceptions are explained plainly at your first session, so there are no surprises.
Telehealth from wherever you are. Weekday appointments are available in person or by secure video, so a session can fit into a day off, a post-call morning, or an administrative block without a commute.
Getting started
Most physicians begin with a diagnostic evaluation: a focused first step that clarifies what you're dealing with and produces a plan. See our Fees page for current rates and package options.
Call 781-281-8160 or email info@sagahw.com.
Saga Health & Wellness · 40 Grove Street, Suite 420, Wellesley, MA 02482
Schedule a confidential consultationFrequently asked questions
Is therapy confidential for physicians?
Yes, within the limits set by law, which we review with you at the first session. Because Saga is private-pay and independent of any hospital or health system, nothing is shared with an insurer or employer unless you choose to submit a superbill or authorize a release.
Will seeing a therapist affect my medical license?
Confidentiality and licensing questions are reviewed at your first session.
What's the difference between physician burnout and depression?
Burnout is tied to work and often eases with distance from it. Depression tends to persist across all areas of life, including time off. The two overlap frequently, and an evaluation helps clarify which you're facing.
Do you see residents and fellows?
Yes. Trainees face particular pressures: long hours, limited control, and fear of appearing less than capable. Many training programs also offer free confidential support, which is worth knowing about as well.
I'm not in crisis. Is therapy still worth it?
Yes. Many physicians come in while still functioning well outwardly, because they've noticed the cost is rising and want to address it before it becomes a crisis.
Do you offer telehealth?
Yes, for physicians located in Massachusetts or Arizona at the time of the session.
If you are in crisis or having thoughts of harming yourself, call or text 988 (Suicide & Crisis Lifeline), or call 911.