LICENSED MENTAL HEALTH COUNSELOR

Accepting new clients age 12+

Kim holds a Master of Education Degree in Mental Health Counseling and is a licensed mental health counselor in Massachusetts. Kim has been in private practice for 10 years and held previous roles as Program Manager, school counselor as well as in home therapist and supervisor. 

Today people are struggling with anxiety, depression, and stress from school, jobs and life transitions in general. With 25 years of experience, Kim has counseled many around school issues, relationship difficulties, job difficulties, chronic illness, and grief and loss. She works not only with individuals, but families as well when needed. She believes compassion is a key component to therapy as well as incorporating a holistic approach. Kim uses traditional talk therapy (CBT) with mindfulness techniques, education, and practical coping skills that are simple and effective. She views counseling as a partnership based on support, trust and encouragement. Counseling is a process and her aim is to give individuals a safe space to process and a toolbox of coping skills that range from stress and anxiety management to processing difficult emotions around trauma.
Relationships are important. Negotiating relationships can be difficult. Together, we can negotiate through the difficult emotions around the many issues we face today such as high anxiety, depression, loss of a family member, or chronic illness. Her hope is to help with that negotiating and for that person to move forward with peace of mind and confidence.

ASSOCIATE THERAPIST

Specialties: College student transitions, depression, anxiety, LGBTQ mental health.

Chloe graduated from Bridgewater State University in 2022 with her dual Masters of Education in Counseling and School Counseling. She is currently working toward her LMHC licensure. Prior to her counseling work, Chloe spent time in the classroom working with young adults in the public school system and gained a passion for assisting in transitions: such as the transition to adulthood and other major life events.

Life transitions can lead to many mental health struggles, and assisting individuals through these transitions so that they may reach their full potential is something she works with clients to achieve. She believes that it is most productive to work in collaboration with the client to develop coping skills and achieve therapeutic goals.

Chloe also has an undergraduate minor in what was previously called GLBT studies and she has continued to be interested in helping any individual who may face adversity based on their sexuality, gender expression, presentation, or relationships.

LICENSED CLINICAL THERAPIST

Specialties: PTSD, sexual trauma, substance use disorders, dual diagnosis, couples therapy

Christa Cavanaugh is a Licensed Alcohol and Drug Counselor (LADC I)  and a Licensed Mental Health Counselor (LMHC). Christa has a Master of Science in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from Bay Path University.

Christa is a compassionate therapist with an easygoing manner and a welcoming style. Her cheerful, witty, and lighthearted personality makes it more comfortable and less intimidating for clients to open up about the most difficult of topics. Christa’s goal for her clients is to create a safe, welcoming space for all that is free from judgment, regardless of the issue at hand or the stigma associated with it.

ASSOCIATE THERAPIST

Specialties: Trauma/PTSD, substance use disorders, dual diagnosis, women’s mental health.

Chrystal graduated from Fisher College in 2023 with her Masters of Art in Counseling Psychology with a focus in trauma and addiction. She is currently working towards LMHC and LADC licensure.

Chrystal has worked particularly close with individuals with or affected by substance use and co-occurring disorders. She uses a creative approach to engage clients in taking part in their own healing journey with a combination of modalities, especially mindfulness and Art.

Chrystal has experience working with persons of all ages affected by trauma associated with socioeconomic disparities, generational family trauma, systematic injustices, and abuse. She provides a safe space for clients to build resilience to cope with stressors and overcome life’s obstacles.

ASSOCIATE THERAPIST

Specialties: LGBTQ+ Mental Health, anxiety, depression, life transitions

Jeffrey Taylor graduated from Boston University with a Masters of Social Work in 2021 and is a Licensed Certified Social Worker (LCSW). He is working toward independent licensure (LICSW) under supervision. Jeffrey enjoys working with a variety of clients including LGBTQIA+ individuals, individuals experiencing anxiety, and those transitioning such as progression into adulthood, going to college, and other life events.

Jeffrey's therapeutic style involves strength-based, empathetic collaboration with clients to explore their thoughts, feelings, and goals in a safe non-judgmental space. He works with individuals to find their motivation and strength to accomplish and gain better self-esteem and boundaries in their life journey.

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR/CLINICAL DIRECTOR

Jenn Laurenza is the owner of the Center for Creative Life Solutions. She has been a Licensed Mental Health Counselor (LMHC) and Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT) in Massachusetts since 2003. She is also a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) in Virginia. Jenn teaches psychology courses (Human Sexuality & Love, Advanced Practicum) at Northeastern University as well as Reading, Writing, & Research at Curry College.

With two Master's degrees (a Master of Science in Marriage & Family Therapy and a Master of Fine Arts in Creative Nonfiction Writing), Jenn aims to provide a creative, compassionate, collaborative, and down-to-earth approach to working with people of varied socioeconomic backgrounds, ages, racial and ethnic identities, educational backgrounds, abilities/disabilities, sexual orientations, and gender identities.

CLINICAL SUPERVISOR

Lisa takes a collaborative and strengths-based approach to therapy and enjoys helping clients discover their own inner resources. She has considerable experience working with trauma and is trained in Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT), an evidenced-based approach to trauma treatment. She is passionate about helping teens and young adults navigate the challenges of growing up and developing into their authentic selves. She particularly enjoys working with neurodivergent folks.

Lisa has a Master’s degree in Clinical Psychology from the University of Massachusetts, Dartmouth, and has been a Licensed Mental Health Counselor in Massachusetts since 2010.

LICENSED INDEPENDENT CLINICIAL SOCIAL WORKER

Specialties: Youth/Adolescents, Trauma, Family Work, DCF/Foster System

Languages: English, conversational Portuguese

Maggie Oliveira is a Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker who received her MSW from Boston University in 2016. She has provided trauma therapy to children, teens and their families in the form of TF-CBT and SMART therapy for the past 7 years at a small, non-profit agency in New Bedford. Maggie was formerly a CBAT clinician as well as the former Clinical Director for youth residential treatment programs (DCF and DYS) in New Bedford. Maggie has also been a counselor and advocate at local Domestic Violence shelters and residential children's programs for over a decade. Maggie is dedicated to supporting youth and their families in healing from their past trauma in order to help empower them into leading healthy and productive lives into the future.

ASSOCIATE THERAPIST

Specialties: Second-generation immigrant experiences, women’s mental health, adolescents

Languages: English, Punjabi, some Hindi

NIkki has a Master's degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from William James College and is working toward her LMHC in MA. She has worked in a variety of settings and has experience working with victims of domestic violence, those with eating disorders (ages 10 and above), children within a school setting, and adults in community mental health.

NIkki is passionate about providing therapeutic support for individuals who might be feeling alone or who do not have an outlet for their innermost thoughts and struggles. She also incorporates humor and light-heartedness into her work with my clients, and as a dog mom herself, she loves to hear about your furry friends! She is a person-centered therapist who hopes to empower her clients to take the lead in their own journey,

LICENSED THERAPIST & CLINICAL SUPERVISOR

Specialties: Seniors, Mood disorders, Adjustment disorders, Relaxation Therapy for anxiety, Parenting children with special needs/disabilities.

After starting out in education, Robert soon found a new path in the helping professions: social work. This path brought him to work with disadvantaged youth in various settings, including child protective services, and then on to community mental health and outpatient therapy for the last 25 years. Robert’s interest is primarily in working with elders, as well as adults with mood disorders and life transition/adjustment difficulties. As a licensed independent clinical social worker, Robert emotionally supports, empowers, and guides clients in their efforts to meet important personal goals.

CLINICAL DIRECTOR

Specialties: End-of-Life issues, Coping with a terminal illness, Grief, LGBTQ+ adults over 30

Sarah graduated from Smith College with a Master of Social Work in 2021. She is a Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker.

Sarah loves working with LGBTQIA+ clients and specializes in trauma, experiences of intimate partner violence, and grief/end-of-life issues. She strives to make therapy a collaborative, non-judgmental space where there is room for all people, stories, and experiences. She aims to help clients recognize their strengths and accomplishments, as well as help them gain confidence in themselves and trust in their own judgment and experiences.

ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT

Alexandra is our Assistant Extraordinaire who is ready and eager to pitch in on any task or project. In addition to being a full-time psychology student, she is an experienced Executive and Human Resources Assistant who loves working behind the scenes to guarantee success within organizations. Her skills include facilitation skills, extensive documentation frameworks, building psychologically safe office culture, and generally ensuring the dots get connected behind the scenes in an organization. Her technology savvy keeps our meetings, website, and practice running smoothly. We can count on her to fix glitches that arise (as well as our human errors!) with her characteristic calm and confident manner that puts the team at ease.

INTAKE COORDINATOR

Ely is our Intake Coordinator and the first point of contact when reaching out for services. She has extensive medical office experience and is working on a Bachelor's degree in Psychology. She has a passion for mental health and wellness, creative projects, writing, and animals and finds ways to bring those passions alive in her role at CCLS.

BILLING & INTAKE SPECIALIST

Nancy O’Connor is an experienced medical biller with specific expertise in behavioral health billing. She brings a wealth of knowledge to help our practice navigate the maze of health insurance so that we can continue to provide affordable and accessible care for our clients.