David A. Perna, PhD
​Licensed Psychologist

Email: [email protected]
Phone: (617) 244-2700
LinkedIn: (Please Click)


​Founder & President
​Director of Training
​Licensed Psychologist
Copernican Clinical Services

Dr. Perna is the founder/owner of Copernican Clinical Services (CCS). He is also the Director of Training at CCS.  In his role as a licensed psychologist he primarily treats patients who suffer from anger disorders, complex mental health issues, and  learning challenges (Including college/vocational transition concerns).

​His approach to treatment is guided by an appreciation of how his patients' learning challenges intersect with a variety of perceived or actual environmental stressors and it includes integration of Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) techniques. 

​Teaching Appointments: Dr. Perna maintains an academic appointment at Harvard Medical School, as a Part-time Lecturer in the Department of Psychiatry. He is also a Clinical Associate at McLean Hospital, an affiliate of Harvard Medical School. He has been in practice for more than 25 years.

Prior Work/Qualifications: Dr. Perna previously worked as the Director of the Adolescent Anger Management Clinic at McLean Hospital, which is an affiliate of Harvard Medical School. He has extensive experience in working with clients who require Anger Management supports, CBT, and DBT interventions across a range of developmental and diagnostic categories. 

Dr. Perna's Curriculum Vitae:   Perna-Resume (Please Click)​

​Approach:

  • Complex Systems Integration
  • Anger Management
  • Learning Challenges
  • Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT)
  • Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
  • Holistic
  • Change Theory
  • Motivational Interviewing
  • Family Systems
  • Psychodynamic
  • Play Therapy

Clinical Expertise:

  • Anger Management
  • Anger Evaluations
  • College Transition
  • Learning Challenges
  • Academic Team Support
  • Oppositional Defiance
  • Co-Parenting
  • Autism Spectrum Disorders
  • Social Skills Challenges
  • Self-Harm
  • Conflicted Divorce
  • ADHD
  • Mood Disorders
  • Bipolar Disorder
  • Academic Anxiety
  • Legal Issues

​Locations:

Newton:
     44 Thornton Street
​     Newton, MA 02458
     Tues/Thur

Lexington:
     35 Bedford Street
     Suite #8, Courtyard Entrance
     Lexington, MA 02420
     Mon/Wed/Fri

​Modalities:

  • ​Multi-Modality Treatment
  • Individual Therapy
  • Family Therapy
  • Group Therapy
  • School Meetings
  • Testing Evaluations
  • Report Writing
  • Legal Coordination

Insurance Options:

In-Network:
Please note: In many cases Dr. Perna has been successful in securing payment from insurers under the terms of a single case agreement. Please see the list of frequently asked questions for a definition of a "Single Case Agreement."
 Please contact us for more details

Insurance Options:

Out-of-Network:
  • Blue Cross/Blue Shield
  • Harvard Pilgrim Health Care
  • Optum Health Care
  • Tufts Health Care
  • Most Major Plans

Single Case Agreements*:
  • Blue Cross/Blue Shield
  • Harvard Pilgrim Health Care
  • Optum Health Care
  • Tufts Health Care