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I offer a warm, trauma-informed, and collaborative approach that honors each client’s story while supporting healing, growth, and ...
About
I offer a warm, trauma-informed, and collaborative approach that honors each client’s story while supporting healing, growth, and resilience.
I am a Master’s Level Counselor with 13 years of experience providing direct care and outpatient counseling. I work primarily with adults facing anxiety, depression, trauma, life transitions, relationship challenges, and stress related to work, family, or identity. I also support individuals navigating complex medical or developmental concerns, helping them build emotional stability and stronger coping skills.
I earned my master’s degree in clinical mental health counseling from Merrimack College. My approach is collaborative, trauma-informed, and culturally responsive, integrating evidence-based methods such as cognitive behavioral therapy, motivational interviewing, and strength-based therapy to support emotional regulation and insight.
In our work together, you can expect a supportive, nonjudgmental space where we move at a pace that feels safe and empowering. I am committed to meeting you with empathy and respect as we develop practical tools to help you heal, grow, and create a more balanced life.
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As a woman of color and a mom myself, I understand the issues our different communities are presented with on a daily basis with ...
As a woman of color and a mom myself, I understand the issues our different communities are presented with on a daily basis with varying perspectives.
Afreen Nizami is a resident Licensed Mental Health Counselor (LMHC) with over 5 years experience in the mental health field. She is passionate about helping children, adolescents, young adults, and adults, and couples address their unique challenges and live more fulfilled lives. Afreen specializes in depression, anxiety, PSTD, grief, trauma, school stress, relationship problems, and life transitions.
Afreen completed her Master's degree of Counseling Psychology at Northeastern University. Afreen utilizes multiple approaches including mindfulness, cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), motivational interviewing, dialectical behavior therapy (DBT), and many more.
Afreen is confident that she would be able to support you in your journey to live a more fulfilled life by helping you gain new techniques, perspectives, and coping skills. If you are ready to do the work, schedule an appointment with her today.
I am so glad you've taken this brave step towards seeking support, and I am here to listen and work with you to navigate whatever ...
I am so glad you've taken this brave step towards seeking support, and I am here to listen and work with you to navigate whatever challenge you are facing.
Katia Castro is a Licensed Mental Health Clinician with over 17 years of experience supporting individuals, couples, and groups. She helps clients navigate challenges such as depression, anxiety, stress, trauma, and substance use with a collaborative and compassionate approach. Katia empowers clients to explore thoughts, feelings, and behaviors while developing effective strategies for healing, growth, and lasting positive change.
Katia Castro earned her Master’s in Clinical Psychology from Florida Atlantic University. She specializes in evidence-based care, utilizing cognitive behavioral therapy, acceptance and commitment therapy, trauma-focused approaches, and narrative therapy to address complex mental health needs and support recovery.
Katia provides a safe, supportive, and non-judgmental space for clients to share their experiences and begin healing. She offers flexible online therapy sessions, making care accessible and convenient for clients wherever they are in their journey toward emotional well-being. Schedule your first session today!
I strive to help each client utilize their strengths to improve their quality of life through a queer, sober, neurodivergent-infor...
I strive to help each client utilize their strengths to improve their quality of life through a queer, sober, neurodivergent-informed, compassionate yet direct approach.
I am a Resident Licensed Mental Health Counselor with 2 years of experience in inpatient psychiatry, outpatient therapy, and programs supporting gender expression and identity. I provide trauma-informed, inclusive care for individuals navigating anxiety, depression, identity exploration, and trauma. I strive to create a safe, supportive space where clients can engage in emotional growth, self-discovery, and evidence-based strategies for healing.
I hold a Master’s in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from Lesley University and have training in cognitive behavioral therapy, dialectical behavior therapy, and motivational interviewing. My approach is humanistic and creative, helping clients build resilience, develop coping strategies, and achieve personal growth.
I am passionate about helping people reach their full potential in a non-judgmental, supportive environment. Clients can expect to feel challenged and encouraged to build self-esteem, recognize strengths, and move forward with confidence and genuine support.
As someone who has experience working with people from diverse backgrounds, I offer a compassionate, supportive, and understanding...
As someone who has experience working with people from diverse backgrounds, I offer a compassionate, supportive, and understanding space for healing and growth.
I am a Master’s Level Counselor with 5 years of experience supporting children, adolescents, and adults navigating anxiety, depression, emotional and behavioral concerns, and autism spectrum-related challenges. I have worked in outpatient and in-home therapy settings, incorporating strong family involvement to promote growth, resilience, and meaningful progress.
I earned my master’s degree in mental health counseling from Suffolk University and my bachelor’s degree in psychology with a minor in education from Emmanuel College. I utilize person-centered therapy, cognitive behavioral therapy, and dialectical behavior therapy to help clients better understand the connection between thoughts, emotions, and behaviors.
I prioritize building a strong therapeutic relationship where you feel safe, understood, and supported. Taking the first step toward therapy can feel challenging, but you do not have to do it alone. I look forward to partnering with you on your journey toward healing and growth.
You deserve dedicated time with a mental health professional — it can be life-changing.
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My go-to approach for helping people in couples/marriage counseling is to understand what their goals are and to conduct a thorough history of their respective backgrounds. I also like using an educational approach because the couple is more motivated if they understand why we use particular methods.
I teach the following tools in couples/marriage counseling: active listening, attachment theory including respective styles of attachment, and the abundant resources available through the Gottman method to increase perspective-taking and reduce conflict.
I know a couple is making meaningful progress in couples/marriage counseling when they report that they're reaching goals they initially set, their understanding of one another increases, and there is greater emotional bonding.
Clients can supplement their time in couples/marriage counseling by reading books or articles or listening to podcasts or YouTube videos specific to enhancing their respective goals. Also, mindfully practicing active listening a few times per week, setting boundaries as needed, and taking small steps each day to build intimacy are all meaningful ways to improve the emotional bond.
To prepare for your first couples/marriage counseling session, you can read about your clinician's profile to get to know that individual better. But mostly, understand that you're the driver of this process. It is up to your comfort level what you disclose and how much time you want to invest. Finally, your clinician is on your team and wants to help you clarify and reach your goals!
Couples therapy and marriage counseling, also known as relationship counseling, helps couples work through their specific relationship issues. Some examples of common focuses within couples therapy and marriage counseling include:
The types of therapy used in couples and marriage counseling include:
At Thriveworks, Couples/marriage therapy is led by licensed professionals — often licensed marriage and family therapists (LMFTs) — who are experts in their field and best-equipped to help couples.
The Gottman Method of couples therapy is a research-supported approach designed to enhance relationships by bolstering the bond between partners, resolving conflicts, and fostering shared meaning in their relationship through comprehensive assessments and tailored interventions that improve communication, trust, and the overall health of the partnership.
If you’re facing persistent relationship problems, communication breakdowns, or unresolved conflicts that are impacting your emotional well-being and happiness, Couples/marriage therapy may be beneficial for you.
While marriage and couple’s counseling is typically recommended for couples who are experiencing persistent or severe relationship issues, any relationship can benefit from attending these sessions.
Marriage and couples counseling at Thriveworks is conducted both in person and online by video. We encourage you to choose the option that works best for you and your partner.
On average, couples attend marriage and couples counseling for 12 weeks. However, couples & marriage counseling may last longer or shorter, dependent on the couples’ needs, the challenges they’d like to work through, and the pace of their progress.
At Thriveworks, we accept most major insurance plans, allowing many clients to pay as little as $0–$50 per session with their co-pay. We also offer self-pay options for those out-of-network or without insurance. Self-pay rates for talk therapy range from $160 to $240 for intake sessions and $135 to $195 for follow-ups, depending on your state. For psychiatry services, self-pay intake sessions are $255–$375, with follow-ups ranging from $175–$300, also varying by state. More information on current self-pay costs is available on our pricing page.
The stress and strain of relationship issues can take their toll on a marriage, and they occur more commonly than many people may think. As the years go by, little differences can weigh on spouses—or a larger problem may occur. However, just because relationship issues aren’t uncommon doesn’t make them trivial or always easy to deal with.
If you and your spouse are struggling with a relationship issue, pursuing marriage and couples counseling at Thriveworks Counseling in Westborough can certainly be beneficial; in fact, the American Association of Marriage and Family Therapists advises the sooner you and your husband or wife can begin counseling, the more likely you are to have a successful outcome. Reach out to Thriveworks today to get started.
Did you know that many couples experience stress or have disagreements over the same types of issues? Of course the circumstances are unique to each partnership, but there are a few common themes. These may include:
Quite often, couples will struggle with whether or not they even need to see a counselor; despite the issue they’re currently facing, their marriage may otherwise be a happy one. Are you wondering if your situation is “bad enough” to warrant counseling?
This is actually a very opportune time to try seeing someone. The professionals at Westborough MA couples counseling may be the resource you need to resolve the matter. After all, why let one issue wind up spoiling an otherwise great relationship? You don’t have to be on the verge of a marriage breakdown to benefit from counseling.
A recent survey by the American Association of Marriage and Family Therapists found that after working with a therapist to address relationship challenges, more than 93% of couples report feeling better equipped to deal with any future problems. What’s more, 97% of those couples surveyed reported that counseling was a success and addressed their concerns.
Do you want to deal with the challenges you and your spouse are facing in an effective and respectful way? If you’re feeling stuck but want to move forward together, you could benefit from Westborough MA couples counseling. Don’t hesitate to reach out to work with our counselors and psychologists; you might just discover how much happier your relationship can be. Thriveworks offers the utmost convenience including in-person and online care, evening and weekend sessions, same-week appointments, and so much more.
Includes individual, couples, child/ teen, & family therapy
Includes reducing symptoms with medication & management
Thriveworks Counseling & Psychiatry Westborough near the rotary of East Main Street, Milk Street, and South Street, close to the Westborough Public Library and near the Bay State Green. The office is in a two-story concrete commercial office building. Enter through the leftmost front door to access Suite 3.
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