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

"As a man of color from a diverse cultural background, I understand the need to provide culturally appropriate care for patients and treat them with dignity and respect."

Joseph Okrah is a board-certified Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner with 7 years of experience in the mental health field. He specializes in treating individuals ages 14 and up who are dealing with PTSD, major depression disorder, general anxiety disorder, bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, and substance use. Joseph’s goal is to provide culturally appropriate care for all patients and to reduce the stigma surrounding mental illness.

Joseph has a Doctorate in Nurse Practice from Walden University. His practice focuses on looking at the client as a whole, taking into consideration their educational, medical, spiritual, interpersonal, and basic needs. Joseph is experienced in crisis management and medication management.

Joseph believes identifying struggles allows us to move forward with a better understanding of who we can be. He provides a safe, comfortable environment to prevent barriers and encourage interaction that will aid clients in reaching their goals. If you are ready to begin, contact Joseph today!

"I understand that life can bring unexpected challenges, and I’m here to offer a safe, supportive space where you can begin to heal, grow, and work toward becoming the best version of yourself."

Alicia Smith has dedicated 19 years to the field of social work, with 12 of those years as a Licensed Clinical Social Worker. She is committed to helping individuals navigate their most difficult challenges. Alicia’s focus is centered on trauma, particularly related to intimate partner violence and sexual assault. She has worked with a diverse range of clients experiencing mental health challenges such as depression, anxiety, ADHD, and PTSD. Additionally, her certification as a master addiction counselor has equipped her to provide specialized support to individuals struggling with substance abuse and alcohol dependence.

Alicia earned her Master’s in Social Work from the University of Tennessee. She draws from a variety of approaches, such as trauma-focused therapy, solution-focused brief therapy, person-centered therapy, and motivational interviewing. Her goal is to guide clients toward becoming healthier versions of themselves while addressing their specific challenges.

Alicia understands that seeking help can be a difficult step, especially when facing trauma, anxiety, or life’s overwhelming challenges. She creates a safe environment where clients can process their experiences and confidently move forward. If you're ready to take the next step in your journey toward healing, Alicia invites you to reach out.

"As a bi-cultural Black woman, I am committed to providing intentional and culturally responsive work."

Herdine Cheridor is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker with 5 years of experience. She specializes in supporting survivors of trauma and community violence and also treats mood disorders, relationship difficulties, anxiety, depression, stress, and life transitions. Herdine meets clients where they are and creates a space to collaboratively prioritize well-being. This may mean learning new skills, reframing thoughts, and processing emotions and events. Herdine’s therapeutic approach is focused on men and women who often hear they are "too much" when they express themselves.

Herdine obtained her Master's in Social Work from Lesley University, specializing in Black and Brown communities and racial trauma. She provides relational and supportive therapy and incorporates cognitive behavioral therapy, cognitive reprocessing, and psychoanalysis.

Herdine believes everyone can change and would be honored to walk alongside you. She invites you to put your needs first and heal and grow in a space where you feel heard and supported in your journey. Schedule your first appointment today!

"Life can present challenges that take us by surprise and sometimes we just need a little help."

Cheri (Cheryl) Boettger is a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) in Colorado and Wyoming who has over 16 years of experience. She specializes in treating depression, trauma, family issues, relationship issues, OCD, ADHD, anger, stress, women's issues, behavioral issues, and much more.

Cheri finished her Master's degree in Psychology from Walden University and is currently writing her dissertation for her Ph.D. in Health Psychology. Cheri is certified in Brainspotting, CAMs, and Motivational Interviewing. She believes that every individual needs individualized therapy so working with her may include a blend of cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), dialectical behavioral therapy (DBT), problem-solving therapy, board-game therapy, and psycho-education.

We are living in extraordinary times that can be overwhelming. We all can use a few more tools and skills to help keep our families and ourselves healthy on every level. Cheri can help you find better ways to communicate, cope with stress, deal with trauma, and thrive. Schedule with her today.

"As an individual who has worked with a wide variety of individuals from all backgrounds, I have come to understand the importance of striving to understand each individual’s unique life story and how best to support him/her to achieve his/her goals."

Catherine Patten is a Licensed Mental Health Counselor (LMHC) with over 12 years of professional experience helping teens, adults, and seniors to work through their anxiety, depression, anger, borderline personality disorder (BPD), poor coping skills, anxiety, dysfunctional relationships, low self-esteem, and more. 

Her past experience includes working in a mental health outreach program with individuals who struggle with chronic mental health issues. Catherine has also provided short-term therapy to individuals while working in this capacity. Catherine understands the importance of striving to understand each individual’s unique life story and how best to support him/her to achieve his/her goals. She's found schema therapy to be effective in working with many individuals across many walks of life.

Catherine enjoys using a strengths-based view with many clients, in which they can separate who they are from the challenges they have been through in their lives. She also uses motivational interviewing, cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), and dialectal behavioral therapy (DBT) at times to elicit goals and self-discovery.

Catherine is here to help you work through the past trauma and any associated negative self-dialogue that is often the result and part of what can cause clients to feel stuck. She's am here to listen, learn, and truly understand where you have been, where you are, and where you would like to be. Catherine believes it is an honor to be able to share in someone’s story and be able to offer support.

"I believe one of the most important things I can do as your therapist is to provide a safe and supportive environment that allows for trust and exploration."

Christopher Hawkins (AKA Topher) is a Licensed Mental Health Counselor (LMHC). He has spent years honing his skills in different settings working with children, adolescents, adults, and their families struggling with the impact trauma, depression, anxiety, bipolar, and other mental health disorders can have on the individual, family, and their behaviors.

This experience, combined with the Master's Degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling earned at Lesley University, has shown the importance of working collaboratively with the individual, family, and community resources to create a complete picture of the client’s needs. Using both evidence-based practices and expressive therapies, Christopher works with the client to strengthen the apparatus they may require for growth and change.

Christopher’s goal for every person and family that he works with is for both the individual and family dynamic to increase their ability to enhance communication, access coping skills, and gain a deeper understanding of self and their relationship to self and others to promote healing and become more self-reliant. If you are ready to begin this journey, schedule an appointment with him today.

Christine Burgess is a Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker (LICSW) who has 15 years of experience working with adolescents, young adults, middle-aged, and older who are suffering from depression, anxiety, and codependence, as well as the consequences of trauma, divorce, life transitions, and relationship troubles. 

Christine completed her Bachelor of Arts (BA) in Psychology at Westfield State University and her Master of Social Work (MSW) at Boston College. 

She utilizes mindfulness, cognitive-behavioral techniques, dialectical behavior therapy (DBT), boundary development, and others to help the client reach a deeper understanding of themselves; gain an increased awareness around behavioral/emotional/thinking patterns; and discover connections between one’s psychosocial history and current functioning within an atmosphere of nonjudgmental acceptance. Christine embraces the uniqueness of each individual and tailors treatment with that in mind.

As a skilled therapist, Christine’s warm and empathetic demeanor, combined with humor and directness, invites her clients into a collaborative therapeutic relationship, where the client is valued and respected at all times, so as to facilitate a process of openness and transformation into improved mental health and overall wellbeing.