Therapists in Auburn, MA

Life can often times make us feel like a crab without a shell, being thrown around by the waves into the rocks of the jetty. For many of us, there was never a "before" period - rather, the struggle has been all one has known. Individuals born into dysfunctional family systems often find that vulnerabilities from childhood not only fail to leave us as we become adults, but often make frequent and unwelcome appearances in the form of insecurity, shame, misplaced guilt and difficulty in relationships, to name a few.

Are you navigating a difficult life transition, struggling with depression and anxiety, experiencing grief over a significant loss? Do you sometimes experience overwhelming thoughts and emotions that seem to get in the way? Are you feeling disconnected within significant relationships? Do you wish to experience more joy and gain confidence in your ability to face the often-painful challenges that life as a human being can bring? Therapy can provide a quiet, collaborative space where you will gain insight, clarify your unique goals and values, and discover new ways to cope that foster healing yourself and your relationships.

You’re good at so many things, but you struggle in relationships, with confidence in who you are, or managing grief. Therapy will help you tap into your natural ability for deep connection, inner strength, and healing. Perhaps in Relationships- you struggle with communication, boundaries, or you keep getting stuck in the same patterns? In Identity- you know your worth, but have trouble with your self-esteem? In Grief- you get overwhelmed, and don’t know where to start to feel better? You're ready to master relationships, heal, and be unapologetically yourself.

You’re good at so many things, but you struggle in relationships, with confidence in who you are, or managing grief. Therapy will help you tap into your natural ability for deep connection, inner strength, and healing. Perhaps in Relationships- you struggle with communication, boundaries, or you keep getting stuck in the same patterns? In Identity- you know your worth, but have trouble with your self-esteem? In Grief- you get overwhelmed, and don’t know where to start to feel better? You're ready to master relationships, heal, and be unapologetically yourself.

I have experience working with clients with depression, anxiety, eating disorders, and trauma. I will work with you to discover how past experiences have shaped you and what you'd like to be defined by in the future. Together we'll explore your most authentic and true self through a variety of counseling techniques. I believe that there is so much hope and growth in the counseling journey!

Welcome to my practice. The fact that you are here is a testament to your desire for a better future full of healing and growth. I am acutely aware of how difficult this first step can be, and I am here to support you on your journey. I firmly believe that establishing a strong therapeutic relationship is vital in helping my clients strive for the better. To that end, I always aim to provide a safe, open and non-judgemental atmosphere where my clients can comfortably explore the most intimate details of their lives.

"The connection between a therapist and an individual is the basis for exploring difficulties and facilitating change." With over 20 years of experience, my passion as a therapist is working with adults, adolescents, and families who are facing various challenges in their day to day lives. My areas of expertise include anxiety, depression, grief and loss, trauma, relationship difficulties, family conflict, school and career issues, and addictions. Through various therapeutic approaches, I work with individuals and families to make changes and to move them through difficult transitions and emotional states.

Whether you are struggling with depression, anxiety, parenting concerns, the effects of trauma, or are feeling overwhelmed by life stress, I believe you are doing the best you can with the resources you have available to you. My goal is to help you build on those resources, as well as discover within yourself the solutions that will enable you to take the steps toward improving your life.

We can help. Streff Associates is a multidisciplinary group practice of skilled clinicians that has been helping children, teens, couples and families heal and find their strengths for over forty years. Our therapists are compassionate and strengths-based and forge deep, strong connections with their clients. Our decades of relationships with schools and other providers allow us to collaborate with your other supporting professionals. We treat a wide variety of issues including Anxiety, ADHD, Addictions, Depression, Mood Disorders, School issues, Family conflict, Behavioral issues, ASD Spectrum, Adjustment issues, Grief & Loss, Tauma / PTSD, Life transitions, Domestic violence, Parenting issues, and many other challenging problems.

Kat Gillespie holds a Bachelor of Science in Art Therapy with a minor in Fine Arts from Lesley University and is currently a 2nd year master’s student in the Clinical Mental Health Counseling program with a specialization in Art Therapy at Lesley University. She has been in recovery since March 31st, 2018 and is an active member of the 12-step fellowship and believes that well-being begins with community. She is the illustrator of children’s book series dedicated to helping children grieve from parent’s lost from substance use disorder: “Mama Paca: My Heart Won’t Let You Go” and “Papa Paca: Kindhearted Warrior” by Sarah Cloud.

*NOW ACCEPTING NEW CLIENTS* Brighter Life Therapy practice just hired additional highly talented and compassionate therapists who have availability. We are happy to work with your financial needs, as we offer a sliding scale fee while we wait for the newly hired therapists to be paneled with insurances.

I have over 18 years of experience working in the addiction and mental health field. I am experienced in various roles across the substance use treatment services continuum of care in both micro and macro levels. I am a “big picture” clinician and believe that to effectively manage addiction and mental health it requires the ability to balance the parts needed for that individual to succeed; mind, body, and spirit. Supporting the client in identifying their unique parts to balance based on their individual needs and history is central to my professional philosophy.

Like a butterfly emerging into life, a child requires safety, care, and attunement. I believe in supporting child and adolescent emotional growth and developmental processes throughout the life cycle especially when hardships are faced, such as, trauma, bullying, anxiety, and other concerns. My approach is collaborative as I work closely with the parents, schools, and other collaterals involved to enhance over all well-being in every capacity of the child's environment. Always stemming from a strength-based perspective, using Play and Expressive Art Therapies, Cognitive and Dialectical Behavioral Therapies, and Somatic Experiencing.

Everyday living is not without stressors. How we react to events or interact in relationships can be a struggle as well as puzzling. Why do we feel the way we do? Why do we continue to make the same mistakes over and over again? How can our perceptions be so different from others? How do early experiences impact our perceptions, feelings, and behaviors? I provide a safe, comforting environment for you to explore and reflect on your past and recent experiences, feelings, and relationships. My approach is to facilitate change based on your expressed needs and goals.

I have been practicing in the field of substance use and mental health for over 9 years, in a variety of roles. Working from the perspective that each client is an individual who brings a unique set of strengths with them into the therapeutic process, my approach is eclectic and person centered ;therapy is a collaborative journey that builds on this premise. The recovery process, whether in terms of substance use or mental health, is a personal journey of growth and healing, and my goal is to facilitate this growth in a safe, healthy and positive environment.

Change is possible. Our darkest moments and greatest challenges can lead to the most powerful transformations. Whether you are struggling with trauma, depression, anxiety, loss or relationship issues I will work with you with compassion and respect while guiding you to effectively make desired changes. As a trained and licensed mental health counselor, I understand how trauma, oppression, life changes, conflictual thoughts, loss and emotional instability can lead us to feel disconnected from ourselves and others.

*Please note I am currently taking clients for telehealth only as I have recently relocated to Western Massachusetts.* I am licensed in Massachusetts and Kansas and am a registered telehealth provider in Florida, meaning I can work remotely with clients who reside in any of these states.

My ideal client seeks self-exploration & understanding, facing issues like anxiety, depression, or relationship difficulties. They need a supportive space for personal growth, aiming to gain insight, develop coping strategies, improve communication, & foster healthy relationships. They aspire to enhance mental well-being, achieve a better life quality, & unlock their full potential.

Humans are resilient. We break bones and recover. We are not defined by our fractures, so why be defined by our adversities? By the same token, trauma may feel like a fracture to one’s personality, but trauma does not define an individual. On the contrary, but rather, an individual is defined by the characteristics that silently evolve in the aftermath. My approach is relational, psychodynamic-oriented, and skills-based to teach how to manage emotions, tolerate distress, and improve relationships. I aim to tailor treatment based on needs and readiness in order to foster resilience, enhanced insight, and achieve personal growth.