Small Biz Profile: ​Samuel Justin Sinclair, Ph.D, Private Practitioner

SUDBURY, MA—Samuel Justin Sinclair, Ph.D, is a Harvard trained clinical psychologist who recently opened a private practice in Sudbury that specializes in psychological and neuropsychological assessment, and individual psychotherapy for adults who may be struggling in different areas of their lives.

Sinclair is also an Assistant Professor at William James College (WJC), with specific research interests in the areas of psychological and neuropsychological assessment, psychometrics and scale development, treatment outcome, suicide and violence risk, and terrorism and political violence.

His research has also been featured on CBS Nightly News, the New York Times and the Boston Globe.

When did you open/launch? August, 2016

What made you decide to open this type of business? And why this location? After a decade of providing these types of evaluation and treatment services within the Mass General Hospital and Harvard systems, my interest in developing a private practice evolved - especially in an area where these types of services may not be as prevalent. Sudbury was a natural place to open my practice, given the strong sense of community and commitment to health and wellness.

What do you like best about it? I like everything about it, to be perfectly honest. I enjoy working with people from all kinds of backgrounds to evaluate for, and ultimately treat, an array of psychological issues. Whether I am conducting psychological or neuropsychological testing, or individual psychological treatment/ psychotherapy, my primary satisfaction is in working with and trying to help people.

Biggest struggle? I have been pretty lucky in that there have been few struggles thus far. I really enjoy working in Sudbury, and love what I do. If I had to choose one thing, it would probably be balancing the needs of my private practice with my work in academia as a professor. However, I see a real synergy between the two - where much of the research I have conducted has informed the clinical work I do. Thus, while there may be a logistical tension between the two, I also believe it enhances my work.

What do you see for the future? I hope to continue building my practice in Sudbury, while also working in academia - where I am able to enjoy the different aspects of being a psychologist (direct clinical care, teaching, and research). While these varied activities are some of the things I really enjoyed while working in the Mass General Hospital and Harvard system, I have been able to strike a much nicer balance since opening my own practice.

Politics and small business: how does government affect your business? Luckily, not much, although I think this has more to do with being a small practice.

Name another local business you’d send customers to: There are numerous other medical and mental health providers I refer people to in the Sudbury or Metrowest area, depending on the needs of the person. This includes other providers in private practice, as well as local institutions and/or hospitals that may provide helpful treatment services.

Do you have or know of a small business profile that deserves to be in the spotlight? Tell us about it at charlene.arsenault@patch.com.

Photo courtesy Samuel Justin Sinclair, Ph.D