BIPOC Therapists in Boston Area Via Telehealth and in-person in Western MA

Mayrena is an immigrant from Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic. She moved to the USA in 2005 to pursue her master’s degree. Mayrena has a BS in Clinical Psychology from Universidad Católica Santo Domingo and an MS in Mental Health Counseling from Fitchburg State University. Mayrena worked in community mental health for many years before starting her private practice in 2015. Mayrena founded Colorful Resilience LLC in February 2022 to help meet the outpatient mental health needs of the various communities to which she has provided services throughout her career. She is passionate about designing and executing for her team the healthy and genuinely inclusive working environment she wishes she had over the course of her career. Mayrena identifies as Queer. Mayrena speaks openly of all her intersectionalities to normalize conversations about them.

“All of my different identities paint a picture of who I am. I am proud of every single one of them”, she says.

Fun fact: When not at work, Mayrena can be found belting out some Whitney Houston songs at the local karaoke bar.

Kerrie is a Western Massachusetts native, having grown up in Chicopee, Massachusetts. She has a Bachelor of Arts degree in History that she received from Elms College in 2009. Kerrie identifies as bisexual, and lives with her husband, two children, and her dog. Kerrie is passionate about diversity and inclusion, helping create the first D&I resource group for her branch of the company at her previous employer. In these groups, she worked to help keep conversations open, honest, and aimed towards teaching the understanding of how systemic inequalities affect the overall success of the company.

Fun fact about Kerrie: “I am a singer in a local band, and love to connect with my musical/creative side. The people I perform with are my best friends and it brings me so much joy to share our art with the world and bring joy to the people we’re performing for!”

Stephanie was born and raised on the Connecticut shoreline and in 2013 made Western MA home. Stephanie graduated from Albertus Magnus College in New Haven, CT in 2010 with a BA in Sociology, and went on to obtain her MSW from Fordham University in NYC in 2012.

Over the course of her career, Stephanie has held clinical roles across the continuum of care. She has worked as a crisis clinician, inpatient social worker, outpatient clinical supervisor, as well as assistant program director of an eating disorder program. While wearing different hats, she has worked with folks on an individual basis, couples, running groups, as well as family therapy.

In her work, Stephanie strives to provide a welcoming, supportive and collaborative space to all. She takes pride in providing an LGBTQIA+ affirming, anti-racist, ethical non-monogamy-affirming space. She takes a relational approach, aiming to meet clients where they are, and tailor the therapeutic relationship to meet their hopes, needs and goals in treatment. Stephanie feels passionate about providing a trauma informed, client centered space.

Fun fact about Stephanie: When she isn’t working, you can usually find her with her nose in a book, or taking care of her plants. She also enjoys exploring with her dog Penny, who at times likes to make a cameo during virtual sessions!

Samma grew up Chicopee, MA and has a Bachelor’s of Science in Business Management. She is currently attending Bay Path University to complete her Master’s Degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling. She lives with her husband, two sons, and her dog. In her free time, Samma enjoys playing shows with the Phoenix band, playing piano, saxophone, flute, and singing. In high school, Samma led the first diversity group and seeks to create welcoming, open, and understanding environments in all spaces. Samma was also part of the planning committee for pride events at her previous employer, which included parade organization and participation.

Fun facts about Samma: She lived in Ireland for a semester of college and she has dichromatic (two different color) eyes.

M Rudder (they/them) is an artist of intersectional identities living on unceded Pocumtuc/Nipmuc land. They hold a degree in Organizational Development, Fibers & Textiles and a certificate in Spiritual Direction.

They are grounded in the fine arts, writing, trauma-informed embodiment and earth-based practices, restorative justice practices, anti-racism, peace circles, conflict management, and organizational development. They have worked inside the reproductive justice movement for 19 years and in support of indigenous communities and lifeways for 15 years. In the past, they have also been part of supporting education reform and destigmatizing mental health disorders.

Fun fact about M: They love to engage creative entrepreneurial collaborations, particularly those that uplift and center 2SLGBTQIA+ and BIPOC creatives.

Holly (she/her) was born and raised in Connecticut and moved to Massachusetts in 2015 to begin her career. She received her bachelor’s degree in Psychology at Central Connecticut State University. She earned her Master’s degree in Mental Health Counseling from Teachers College, Columbia University and is now a Licensed Mental Health Counselor. Holly identifies as queer and she specializes in working with people within the LGBTQ+ (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer) community. She has seven years of experience working with people who are questioning their identities, navigating a gender transition process, and those who seek a safe space to be their authentic selves and work on challenges that impact their mental health. Holly does not work exclusively with the LGBTQ+ community and brings multicultural competence to working with clients of all identities.

Fun fact about Holly: She has a dog named Sadie who is an Australian Cattle dog mix and is learning to garden!

Julia was born and raised in San Francisco, California. In 2013, after spending many years living in Florida, Julia moved to Western Mass and decided to call this area of the country home.

In the past 20 years, Julia has held different clinical roles across the continuum of care. She has worked as an adolescent youth counselor, a residential program clinician, an outpatient clinician for community mental health, a substance abuse counselor at a methadone clinic, a women’s residential program clinical director, and an outpatient clinician at a group private practice. Julia has experience providing individual therapy, group therapy, family therapy, and substance abuse counseling. Julia graduated from Webster University in Florida in 2012 with a Master’s in Clinical Mental Health Counseling.

Julia approaches therapy through a person-centered lens. She describes her style as open, honest, and affirming. Together, she will work with clients to replace thinking patterns that no longer serve them and set goals to improve their quality of life. Julia identifies as queer and specializes in working with people within the LGBTQIA+ community and also working with parents to discuss the struggles of becoming a new parent, being pregnant, or raising a young child. Julia also has extensive experience in treating clients who struggle with managing feelings of anxiety, depression, or low self-esteem. Julia has experience working with clients from many different backgrounds and is sensitive to providing culturally responsive care to clients of all identities.

Fun fact about Julia: In her free time, you can find Julia enjoying a game of bowling or trying to master playing arcade or carnival games. Julia also enjoys being outside in nature, taking walks or hikes, or camping with her young child and wife.

Naarah (pronounced Nay-aRe-uh) has been living in the Western Mass area since 2016 and was born and raised in Boston, MA. Naarah has a BFA in Illustration from UMass Dartmouth, and a MS in Mental Health Counseling with a Concentration in Art Therapy from Springfield College. Naarah is also a registered Art Therapist and along with utilizing counseling techniques, she will often work with clients to incorporate art therapy techniques in a session, assisting the individuals to better manage their symptoms of anxiety, depression, and healing trauma they may be experiencing. The art therapy techniques can consist of the use of clay, markers, crayon, mixed media, and paints among many other artistic mediums. Naarah also has experience conducting art therapy groups.

Naarah has much variety in her work experience and has worked as a Montessori preschool teacher, a clinician to latency aged children in a residential setting, a Resident Director for many years on college campuses, has provided outreach clinical services, as well as worked as a Counselor in a university setting. She has a passion for education surrounding diversity and has incorporated diversity work within her practice. Naarah has done this by facilitating diversity conversations and workshops for the BIPOC population as well as has travelled and presented at several art therapy conferences and diversity events regarding the topic of hair and microagressions.

Fun Fact about Naarah: She enjoys art and has travelled to Sicily in her Undergraduate career with a study abroad program and took painting courses. Naarah also has two sibling cats named Sir Lancelot and Queen Victoria.

Bridie (Brye-dee, she/her) grew up in Southern Massachusetts and moved to North Carolina in her adolescence, where she attended the University of North Carolina in Wilmington and received her Bachelor of Arts in Psychology. She moved back to Massachusetts in 2018 to earn her Masters in Social Work from Boston College. Bridie started her social work career working in hospitals in the Greater Boston area. During this time, she worked primarily with older and younger adults, as well as adolescents, in an inpatient psychiatric setting. She also worked in a Neurological Intensive Care Unit and general surgery unit, where she gained skills in crisis intervention, end-of-life discussions, and stress management.

Bridie identifies as queer and fosters a trauma-informed, gender-affirming, and culturally competent environment for her clients. She has worked with people of varying socioeconomic and cultural backgrounds, and has experience in PTSD (including medical trauma), ADHD, anxiety, grief, and mindfulness practices. Certified in Motivational Interviewing, Bridie believes in the innate power each person holds, and strives to help her clients reach their full potential. She looks forward to applying her skills in the outpatient setting, and cultivating therapeutic alliances with her clients!

Fun facts about Bridie: She has a black cat named Pepper and has traveled to 12 countries!

Ines is a compassionate mental health therapist fluent in both English and Spanish. As a Guatemalan native, she brings a culturally sensitive approach to therapy, ensuring a comfortable and inclusive environment for all clients.

Ines meets clients where they are in their life journey, offering support and guidance tailored to their individual needs. With a dual degree in Masters in Art Therapy and Counseling from Springfield College, she integrates creative and traditional therapeutic approaches to help clients explore their emotions and experiences.

Her therapeutic style is rooted in person-centered therapy, emphasizing empathy, authenticity, and unconditional positive regard. Ines believes in empowering clients to discover their strengths and navigate life’s challenges with resilience and insight.

Whether you’re seeking to improve relationships, manage stress, or enhance personal well-being, Ines Prado is here to support you on your journey to healing and growth. Together, you can explore your goals and create a path towards a more fulfilling and balanced life.

Fun Fact: Outside of therapy, she enjoys spending time with her two dogs, Ramsey and Waldo, who bring joy and companionship to her life. Ines is also passionate about fitness and can often be found working out at the gym or experimenting with new recipes in the kitchen.

K identifies as a queer, non-binary Licensed Mental Health Counselor. They have a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from Bay Path University and a Master of Arts in Mental Health Counseling from Boston College. K has over ten years of experience working with children, adolescents, and adults in various settings, including outpatient clinics, a therapeutic day school, telehealth, and community and school outreach. K’s passion for this field has been helping uplift others to embrace their true selves and live authentically. They specialize in supporting individuals, couples, and families across the gender and sexuality spectrum, including those looking to explore their identity, experiencing gender dysphoria, or seeking gender-affirming medical care.

Fun Fact: K has traveled over twenty countries, reads three books a week, and enjoys spending quality time with their partner and two cats, Theodore and Eleanor.

Jess is a queer, white clinician who is committed to providing culturally responsive and affirming care. Originally from the West Coast, Jess now calls Western Massachusetts home. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Psychology from Plymouth State University, and a Master of Social Work from Smith College. Jess has experience working with clients of all ages in residential and outpatient settings, as well as college students and youth in school settings. Jess’s approach is specifically tailored toward each client’s unique needs and goals. She works to co-create a therapeutic relationship and environment that prioritizes clients’ strengths and autonomy.

Fun Fact: Jess is passionate about the natural world and, in addition to her clinical work, has spent time guiding wilderness trips such as white-water rafting, rock climbing, and backpacking.

Nell (they/them) is a queer, non-binary, white person who grew up in Vermont.

Nell believes that relationships are the center of our lives and mode through which we change; they consider the therapeutic relationship to provide a profound opportunity for self-exploration, deeper self-knowing, and growth. They offer a space to practice new ways of relating to ourselves and others.

Nell knows that nothing is “wrong” with any of us. Therapy can be a space to both interrogate our inherited ideas of “badness” and explore new strategies for self-acceptance and choiceful change.

Nell offers a self-directed, collaborative space through which to meet and learn yourself. They are honored to get the chance to hear your story and present moment.

Nell received a B.A. in Gender, Sexuality, and Feminist Studies at Middlebury College and a Masters of Clinical Social Work degree from Smith College. Their practice is informed by critical feminist, queer, and anti-racist thought.

Fun fact: Nell plays guitar, bass, and loves to sing. They also love all types of movement– specifically dancing, running, and swimming in rivers.

Marie moved to Western Massachusetts in 2003 from NYC, earning a BFA from Cooper Union and an MA in Art Therapy from NYU. With over 25 years of experience in social services, she has served as an administrator, counselor, and art therapist in NYC and Western MA. Her work spans inpatient settings, shelters, therapeutic schools, and outpatient care, supporting inner-city youth, LGBTQIA+, BIPOC communities, and diverse adult populations.

Marie is passionate about community-based work and advocates for gender equity, disability rights, and racial justice. She appreciates the unique identities and histories that each client brings and recognizes the courage required to confront life’s challenges. Her relational, strengths-based approach fosters a compassionate, collaborative, and non-judgmental environment where emotional exploration and healing can take place.

Marie works with neurodivergent individuals, transgender and questioning youth, older adults, and women navigating major life transitions. She also offers creative healing groups and integrates art therapy into sessions when appropriate. Art can be a powerful tool for expressing emotion, processing trauma, and fostering insight—no artistic experience is needed.

Fun fact: Marie enjoys painting and writing, and she is currently working on a book that explores how women internalize patriarchal messages and how creativity can lead to healing.

Rox is a transracial adoptee of Peruvian heritage who grew up in Santa Barbara, California, and moved to Western Massachusetts in 2018. They earned a BA in Studio Art from Mills College in Oakland, CA, graduating in 2018, and later completed an MS in Art Therapy and Mental Health Counseling at Springfield College in 2023. Rox’s master’s thesis and research focused on making art therapy and mental health services more accessible to cross-cultural families, transracial adoptees (both domestic and international), their adoptive and birth families, and the LGBTQIA2S+ community, with particular attention to individuals exploring their gender identity.

Clinically, Rox has worked in residential substance use recovery programs for LGBTQ+ individuals and mothers in recovery, providing individual and group therapy. Most recently, they have worked in community mental health, providing outpatient services for over two and a half years. Through this work, Rox has developed strengths not only in supporting adoptees and the LGBTQIA2S+ community but also in working with disenfranchised grief, anticipatory and traumatic grief, systemic and generational trauma, immigrants, asylum seekers, alternative family structures, abandonment trauma, domestic violence, and relational issues. They also have experience in couples and family therapy.

Rox utilizes person-centered, culturally responsive approaches, prioritizing clients’ worldviews and lived experiences. They deeply understand the experiences of those who have felt underserved or underrepresented in Western, individualistic mental health systems. As a licensing-track clinician, Rox integrates Internal Family Systems (IFS), Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT), relational therapy, dreamwork, narrative therapy, and art therapy interventions.

Fun Fact: Rox has driven across the country at least 12 times, visiting 43 states. They also enjoy playing tennis, having competed at the collegiate level for three years. Outside of the office, you might catch Rox walking or swimming with their Husky/Lab mix, Bailey.

Anna (she/her) was born in Brooklyn, NY, to parents who immigrated from China, growing up in a culturally rich Asian household. Around the age of nine, she relocated to Albany, NY, where she completed the remainder of her early education. Her journey then took her to Cambridge, MA, where she began her studies in Art Therapy. Although Cambridge never quite felt like home, her passion for Art Therapy remained strong. In the spring of 2019, she transferred to Springfield College to complete her degree and later stayed in the area to pursue a Master of Education in Art Therapy and Counseling.

Throughout her professional journey, Anna has worked with a diverse range of client populations, from children as young as six to older adults. Her experience includes providing art therapy in nursing homes, supporting students in school art classrooms, and, most recently, offering outpatient services for two years to individuals within the DDS population. She has a strong background in developing and facilitating groups, including art groups for adults and therapeutic groups for children with ADHD.

In her clinical work, Anna often incorporates CBT and Solution-Focused Brief Therapy, especially with clients who demonstrate resilience and a desire to focus on their future. Creativity remains at the heart of her practice, integrating art-making into sessions to foster expression and healing. Passionate about cultural humility, Anna enjoys working with clients from diverse backgrounds, embracing every opportunity to learn from their unique stories and perspectives. She is also a proud advocate for the LGBTQIA+ community, striving to create affirming spaces and meet clients where they are.

Fun facts: Anna recently went on her first Caribbean cruise and loves attending Pride Paradise celebrations!

Alyssa (she/her) is a queer, cis woman who recently moved back to Western, MA (where she grew up) with her husband and their beloved dog. Alyssa received her bachelor’s degree in Psychology with a minor Early Childhood Education from Fitchburg State University in 2015. After she graduated, she worked with adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities for over seven years. While earning her master’s degree at Salem State University, Alyssa helped develop and launch a specialized program for adults with Autism Spectrum Disorder without intellectual disabilities. After graduating from Salem State with a master’s in mental health counseling in 2023, she joined a community mental health agency on the North Shore where she worked for two years before joining the Colorful Resilience team.

Alyssa identifies teenagers and young adults, especially those within the LGBTQ+ community, as her preferred population to work with but has experience with clients across the lifespan with varying identities, abilities and diagnoses. She has experience providing counseling to individuals as well as families, couples and therapeutic groups. Alyssa primarily utilizes Cognitive Behavioral Therapy with a Feminist Lens but also has experience with Dialectical Behavioral Therapy, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy and Internal Family Systems. Alyssa is extremely passionate about guiding clients through transition periods in their lives as well assisting them in better understanding of themselves.

Fun fact about Alyssa: She has a dog named Zoey who is a Wheaten Terrier mix. Alyssa’s secret talent is her ability to connect any two movies via their actors.

Índigo is an apricot Standard Poodle with a gentle spirit and a calm presence. His person is Mayrena Guerrero, founder and CEO of Colorful Resilience. He is currently being trained by Sandra Leiser, KPA-CTP, at Right Vibe Dog Training.

As a psychiatric service dog in training, Indigo is learning to be a grounding presence during times of emotional distress and to provide deep pressure therapy—like a warm, weighted blanket—during panic attacks.

When he’s not working on his training, Indigo can often be found walking around the office or napping on the job. He welcomes gentle pets and kind words from those who pass by.

Fun Fact: Índigo enjoys playing fetch, and finding cool sticks during his walks.