Find a therapist, counselor or psychologist in West Springfield, MA

"I like to focus on a fun way to get to the root of the diagnosis in a judgment-free zone!"

Rayla Johnson is a Resident Licensed Mental Health Counselor. She has 2 years of clinical experience and specializes in assisting clients with a range of concerns including anxiety, depression, and life transitions. Rayla takes a fun, energetic approach to treatment and incorporates toys, movement, journaling, games, and role-playing in sessions with clients. She involves parents and guardians in goal-setting and care when appropriate, working toward a place of understanding, peace, and relief.

Rayla received her Master's degree from Cambridge College. She utilizes therapeutic methods such as cognitive behavioral therapy, affirmations, mindfulness and relaxation techniques, and play therapy. Her first focus is building a trusting rapport with her clients as the foundation for success.

Rayla believes in finding a way through the challenges that life brings us. By creating a safe and judgment-free environment, she helps clients do the hard work to overcome obstacles and embrace the best version of themselves. Reach out to Rayla today!

"I understand the importance of meeting clients where they are, and I work to tailor treatment approaches to meet individual needs and goals."

Alyssa Quann is a Licensed Mental Health Therapist with 5 years of experience in mental health. She is committed to helping both individuals and couples navigate the world around them, equipping them with skills to excel in an ever-changing world. She is passionate about creating an authentic therapeutic space and encourages her clients to lean into the discomfort that comes with healing to make room for growth. Alyssa specializes in anxiety, depression, relationship issues, and women's issues. She received her bachelor's degree in psychology from Williams College and her master's degree in clinical psychology from UMASS Dartmouth.

Alyssa values creativity, reflection, and humor as pathways of collaboration and connection. She uses several treatment approaches including cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), mindfulness, acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT), and motivational interviewing.

Life is unpredictable and presents each individual with a unique set of challenges. If you are interested in building a therapeutic relationship based off of mutual respect and trust that will enable you reach your goals, book an appointment with her today!

"As a woman who has worked with both typical and atypical children for most of my life, I understand how to create a safe, fun, and productive therapeutic space for children."

Heather Sousa is a Licensed Mental Health Counselor (LMHC) with nearly 3 years of professional experience working with children and teens. She specializes in treating children on the autism spectrum, or who are dealing with depression, anxiety, ADHD, family conflict, and are learning to regulate their emotions and build positive peer and familial relationships. 

What started as an interest in Early Childhood Education led Heather down the path of working with young children in a counseling setting. Heather earned her Master's degree in Mental Health Counseling from Becker College and uses a unique combination of talk, play, art, and movement therapy with the child to help them build self-awareness and learn to regulate their emotions. 

When Heather meets with a client, her goal is to create a warm, welcoming space for them to make themselves comfortable. She works to build a positive therapeutic rapport, as well as to guide the client toward accomplishing their collaborative treatment goals. 

"I take a person-centered approach to therapy and work with clients to resolve life issues, cope with stressors, meet their goals, and/or maximize their full potential through building a great therapeutic relationship built on trust, empathy, and safety."

Matthew Waite is a Mental Health Counselor with 7 years of experience working in the mental health field and 2 years of experience in practice. He has experience treating a range of populations, including individuals with depression, anxiety, dual-diagnosis, anger, grief, life transitions and PTSD. Matthew obtained his Master's degree in Mental Health Counseling from the University of Massachusetts - Boston. The program taught him to take a multicultural and social justice approach to counseling while using many modalities based on what the client’s presenting problem may be.

Matthew leans heavily on the modalities of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) while taking a holistic approach that focuses on the whole person.

Life can throw us all some curveballs at times. Being able to process events in safety and without judgment is necessary to move forward. Matthew can help you to explore your thoughts and feelings, find effective ways of coping, and provide support in managing issues life can throw at you. If you are in need of any support through counseling, please reach out and schedule your appointment.

"Having spent over a decade in the U.S. as an immigrant from China, I understand the unique challenges faced by those with multicultural backgrounds. I am here to support you in navigating your journey with empathy and insight."

Zhiran (Jack) Li is a Resident Licensed Mental Health Counselor with 2 years of experience. He specializes in assisting individuals dealing with stress, depression, anger issues, relationship issues, and parenting challenges. As an international student and immigrant, Zhiran has faced challenges that have helped him to develop empathy and understanding of a client’s unique struggles.

Zhiran received his Master’s in School Counseling from the University of Scranton. He utilizes a variety of clinical approaches including cognitive behavioral therapy and solution-focused therapy.

Everyone faces hurdles in life, and it takes courage to seek support. Whether you are looking for guidance or a listening ear, Zhiran encourages you to reach out. A conversation could be the first step toward finding clarity and a path forward. Your journey matters, and Zhiran is ready to walk alongside you.

"It is my hope that while my clients' circumstances may have affected them, they do not define nor confine their lives. It is with this in mind that I aim to help my clients not only survive but thrive."

Theronda has worked in community mental health settings, school social work, nursing homes, children and family agencies, community mental health, and advocacy organizations for over 10 years. Through her professional and personal experiences, Theronda has identified that women appeared to be twice as likely to develop and experience a longer duration of post-traumatic symptoms. The challenges of gender discrimination, gendered violence, and mistreatment of women directly work to undermine women's mental health. Theronda’s work has brought to light that the stigma of mental health leads to fewer women seeking services which can increase women's exposure to stress, and stress is a significant predictor of mental illness.

Theronda Myers is a Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker. Theronda received her Master of Social Work (MSW) from Boston University. Theronda enjoys treating adverse childhood events, anxiety, and depressive disorders with evidence-based modalities such as CBT, DBT, IFS, strength-based work, and solution-focused therapy.

Theronda, believes you’re not alone in this process and together you can work to eliminate such stigma while eliminating barriers of thoughts and feelings like you are not enough and need more.

Ashley Kitchen-Sweet is a Licensed Mental Health Counselor with over 8 years of specialized experience in guiding adults through depression, anxiety, and pivotal life transitions. Her journey with clients begins with a foundation of empathy and commitment, creating a welcoming and transformative environment from the outset. Ashley is adept at adapting her approach to cater to the needs and strengths of her clients, always with an eye toward cultural sensitivity and personal preferences. Her therapy is not just about addressing challenges; it's about crafting a tailored path that aligns with each client's values and life goals.

Ashley has a bachelor’s in Sociology from the Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts and a Master's in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from Walden University. She uses an array of techniques, including collaborative, strengths-based, cognitive behavioral, mindfulness-based, and solutions-focused strategies, ensuring that therapy resonates with each client.

Ashley is committed to working collaboratively with clients to set and achieve goals, empowering them to build a fulfilling life. This commitment to building a meaningful therapist-client relationship is central to her approach, recognizing that a trusted partnership can significantly enhance the therapeutic experience and outcomes.