Therapists in Essex County, MA

Loss, failure, and separation are major root causes of many forms of suffering in life. But they are not always evident, we may be too young when live through them, or we may not feel their impact until long after an event. Sometimes they even travel through generations. As a psychotherapist, I have spent over 25 years helping people who suffered from a variety of emotional and relational problems created by one or a combination of these issues, ranging from basic unhappiness to unhealthy relationships, workplace conflicts, divorce and separations, parents struggling with their children, migration and forced separation, even trauma.

Deeply passionate about social justice and facilitating and guiding positive change and development in the lives of others, I am thrilled to connect with you as you begin your journey inward. Healing is truly the risk of showing up for yourself and your resistance to temptation to go back to unsilenced needs, numbing out, disconnection, and erasure. As a black, gender non-binary Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LICSW), I have a personal stake and insight into the work I do. My clinical practice aims to empower and heal individuals, families & communities through therapy, consulting, case management, training, & community outreach.

I am a licensed clinical social worker and former Yale University faculty member. I have almost 20 years of experience working with a variety of ages: children and families, adolescents, adults and couples. I believe that my clients are the experts on their own lives and that my role as a therapist is to facilitate and empower personal growth. In therapy sessions I combine active listening and empathy with teaching clients new skills they can use to better regulate their emotions and change their behavior. I also help clients to develop greater self-awareness and insight so they can better understand themselves.

With over 2 decades of experience, my practice falls into two main categories. The first is with children, adolescents, and adults who face challenges specifically around anxiety, depression, ADHD, and mood disorders, which are negatively impacting their functioning at home, school, and/or other activities/environments. The second is in adoption and non-parental event experiences. As an adoption therapist and domestic adoption program director, I have worked with all members of the adoption constellation dealing with pre and post adoption related issues, transracial adoption, late discovery adoptees, as well as NPE/MPE individuals.

In life we all need hope, validation, just to know that today, "this too shall pass." I strive to connect with individuals with honesty, warmth, and empathy. When one makes that decision to seek emotional guidance, I understand the vulnerability and the bravery of that moment. While allowing one to take the time they need to reach their desires of the heart and/or identify what one desires through a space of compassion and mindfulness.

Welcome to Somerville Counseling! I’m Erik Gans, a therapist and licensed clinical social worker with over 15 years of experience in the mental health field. I specialize in working with teenagers and adults facing challenges related to trauma, phobias, depression, and anxiety. Trained in EMDR, I can help you take a very structured approach to addressing past hurts, and implementing new coping skills. Although your experience is deeply personal, you don’t have to manage it alone.

Are you feeling stuck, isolated, or just overwhelmed by life? You are here, so you have already taken the first important step. I welcome the opportunity to help you make the right adjustments to improve your quality of life. With a non-judgmental approach, I will listen and guide you toward accessing your internal strengths, to help weather your life's storm. Let's work together to create a path that will lead you to greater self-awareness and a better you.

RVCC is a multi-service community-based mental health agency serving the Pioneer Valley since 1953. RVCC offers counseling and medication management at offices located in offices located in Holyoke, Chicopee, Easthampton, Springfield, and Westfield. RVCC also provides counseling in schools throughout Hampden and Hampshire Counties and on the campuses of Springfield Technical Community College and Bay Path University.

I see therapy as a place to practice courage and honesty, with the goal of creating more joy, humor, flexibility, and play in one's life, relationships, and work. I often see individuals dealing with complex issues such as depression, grief/loss, anxiety, recovery from trauma/abuse or neglect, postpartum or parenting issues, child emotional or behavioral concerns, relationship conflicts, or identity/life transitions. My approach is collaborative, empathic, and interactive, creating an environment in which to help you better understand, relate to, and address the challenges you are experiencing.

NOW providing LMHC Supervision Collaboration and finding a rhythm that works for a therapeutic relationship is one of the most important beginnings in any relationship and one that I find important to grow. I believe in affordable and accessible mental health care that works for you, the client. I will work with around what you can afford to make taking care of yourself easier. I believe that we are all living a collective human experience that my role is to witness and walk next to you while you guide your own journey through treatment.

As a former teacher turned therapist, I have developed a strong counseling tool box. I specialize in supporting adolescents/teens and adults find ways to cope with trauma and loss, manage anxiety and depression, develop problem solving strategies and social skills, overcome substance abuse and low self-esteem, and manage family conflict. I am also able to help the individuals I work with to develop executive functioning and advocacy skills at school, home, and in the community. I utilize humor, unconditional positive regard, and curiosity to create a safe and productive space for you to grow.

We have immediate openings, across the lifespan, for the following insurances: Blue Cross Blue Shield Optum and Optum products: Allways, Harvard Pilgrim, Oxford, Connecticare TUFTS Medicare Private Pay ($100/session) Become a client on our website: www.advancepsychotherapy.org. Those who are interested in receiving services from us should fill out the following form: