Therapists in Reading, MA

Are there times when you feel anxious, sad, or uncertain? Do you have difficulty coping with your stressors and find that you often push or run away from unwanted thoughts and feelings? You have taken the brave first step to search for a clinician who may fit your needs. Clients who come to me can expect a trusting, compassionate, respectful therapeutic environment that fosters creating positive solutions. We will work together to address your unique needs and challenges in a non-judgmental, safe environment.

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.

My goal is to guide you in understanding what interferes with living a fulfilling life. I believe change is possible, in spite of any circumstance, and I will support you through your journey of growth and self-discovery. As a therapist with extensive background working with trauma survivors and individuals of all ages, couples and families in crisis, I respect and understand both the challenges and lifelong benefits of having therapeutic alliance. My experience with the healing process has solidified the importance of consistent, genuine care, creating a space to pursue what it is you desire and find to be meaningful.

People are often exposed to stressors and or traumatic events that at times can unravel emotions that seem to consume us. During these times it seems hard to find the light at the end of the tunnel. My passion is to help people find this light, to help heal from their past trauma and move forward. I assist my clients; school aged children and young adults in finding and changing their negative distortions and identifying their strengths in order to help achieve a peaceful, happy and whole perception of themselves.

I have worked to improve lives which is my mission. I have work with almost every ethnic group. I encourage clients to engage in a dialogue with me about their clinical concerns. It is important that clients feel comfortable in sessions and safe to express their concerns.

Welcome! With over 25 years of experience working with people of all ages as a trauma and grief therapist, I have helped individuals and families learn to cope with a wide range of issues including partner loss, anxiety, depression, family conflict, complex trauma and sexual assault. I provide parent guidance and coaching for caregivers who have children with challenging behaviors and special needs. I have expertise with foster, kinship and adoptive families. I offer therapy to tweens, teens and young adults who may need support with life transitions and relationships. My work with clients is always collaborative and strength-based.

We work well with people throughout the age range, whether it is a child struggling in school, an adult overwhelmed by life's demands, or a senior citizen in need of support, we are prepared and eager to help. While your relationship with your therapist is central, we focus on RESULTS: With a dynamic mix of positive psychology and evidence-based treatment, it's our mission to help you to feel better & do better in your life.

My services are tailored to individuals struggling with a variety of mental health disorders (depression, anxiety, panic, mood disorder) and substance abuse issues. I work with all populations and provide home based therapy and outreach-- to the elderly-- and those diagnosed with complicated medical issues. My services are geared toward assessing one's baseline and identifying specific strengths, coping, limitations, vulnerabilities and grounding skills. I also incorporate the spiritual element of healing--which fosters personal growth for recovery.

My ideal client is someone who is willing to work with me in order to achieve their goal. This includes being able to have back and forth conversation around ways to achieve that goal, as well as have the more difficult conversations when it comes to road blocks and the occasional self sabotaging behavior. I will always be honest in my assessments, and thoughts, and my hope would be that my client is as well.

I have worked as a clinician in mental health for over 25 years. I have dedicated myself to child welfare and have a specialty in the treatment of trauma, anxiety, adoption, attachment, Bipolar and addictions. I take a supportive approach to my client work so they are able to arrive at healthy solutions. I also have experience in family therapy taking a family systems approach to the work. My practice is located in the center of Medford and is easily accessible by public transportation. The staff in the office are all welcoming and there is a play space for children.

I believe the therapeutic relationship is at the core of all treatment provided as the path to health begins here. Your growth and healing will require energy, commitment, and active participation from you, the client. I work with clients to establish a therapeutic relationship that is honest, straightforward, therapeutically challenging and inspiring, and compassionate. With my support, you will come to deeply understand your personal strengths, compassionately tend to your emotional wounds and learn evidence-based techniques to move toward health.

My ideal client is someone who is willing to work with me in order to achieve their goal. This includes being able to have back and forth conversation around ways to achieve that goal, as well as have the more difficult conversations when it comes to road blocks and the occasional self sabotaging behavior. I will always be honest in my assessments, and thoughts, and my hope would be that my client is as well.

Thanks for stopping by. I am a bilingual developmental psychologist, a clinical social worker and an avid yogi for nearly twenty years. I hold a BC in psychology from Venezuela, a master degrees in Early Intervention from Northeastern University and a masters in Clinical Social Work from Simmons University. I have worked with children and adults with mental health and developmental challenges in a variety of setting and bring my expertise in the field as well as my deep compassion. I truly love helping others in any capacity. I pull from many different frameworks including EMDR, CBT, DBT, IFS, ACT and mindfulness.

I look forward to understanding your goals and values and offering the best scientific and humanistic practice to help you reach your desired outcomes. I have helped children, adolescents, transition-age youth and adults address traumatic experiences, loss, anxiety, depression, adjustment to psychiatric disability, and other stressful life transitions.

Have you been struggling with uncontrollable negative thoughts, panic attacks, and anxiety? Do you have low self-esteem, low-confidence and low-body image? Did you lose meaning of life or even do not know why you exist? I know your goal! You want to be the most powerful and successful person in the world! Well, I can help you with that. My therapeutic philosophy focuses on Your freedom, power, strength, and responsibility to overcome Your distress through a positive goal-oriented approach and extreme empathy. We will both utilize integrative treatment uniquely designed for You to achieve personal growth and healing.

My ideal client is someone who is willing to work with me in order to achieve their goal. This includes being able to have back and forth conversation around ways to achieve that goal, as well as have the more difficult conversations when it comes to road blocks and the occasional self sabotaging behavior. I will always be honest in my assessments, and thoughts, and my hope would be that my client is as well.

My ideal client is someone who is willing to work with me in order to achieve their goal. This includes being able to have back and forth conversation around ways to achieve that goal, as well as have the more difficult conversations when it comes to road blocks and the occasional self sabotaging behavior. I will always be honest in my assessments, and thoughts, and my hope would be that my client is as well.

As a passionate, committed and motivated individual, I consider it a privilege to share a space with any client who is open to taking steps towards self-exploration. With over a decade of experience working as a therapist in community mental health settings & academic psychiatric institutions, I am trained in a variety of therapeutic methods and work with each individual to tailor their treatment to help them heal and reach their authentic self. I offer individual psychotherapy and psychiatric consultation and I would be honored to assist and support any individual on their journey towards change.