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.

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!

Namono is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker practicing with children, adolescents and families in Massachusetts. She received her education from Makerere University, Kampala Uganda, University of Massachusetts, Amherst and Smith College, Northampton, Massachusetts. Namono was born and raised in Entebbe, Uganda and spent her earlier work-life as a Copy Editor at a major daily newspaper in Kampala before moving to the United States.

“As an immigrant from other lands and cultures, I live in intersectional realities every day and thus compassionately hold space for the different identities with whom I intersect. The work I do with children and families really enhances that innate love for people and service for the diverse communities amongst us.”

Ariana (she/they) is a neurodivergent, queer social worker who has worked in the field of mental health for over ten years and has focused her work on communities that are historically marginalized, as well as those who have faced a number of socio-economic barriers within society. She received her bachelor’s degree in Human Services at Fitchburg State University and went on to earn their Master’s degree in Social Work at Salem State University. As a social worker, Ariana believes that the systems in society have created long-term harm to everyone who is part of society and that, through radical work, these systems can be undone, both on an individual, internal level, and within society. To do this within their practice, they take on a trauma-informed, feminist, anti-oppressive lens while also holding the understanding of the mental health system and the oppressive harm it has brought onto folks – both historically and today. As a result, she is mindful of her practice being a collaborative effort, with the client being empowered to enact and learn to live in our world in a way that they feel supported and cared for. 

Ariana’s clientele focuses on folks who are part of the LGBTQIA+ community, and those who practice non-monogamy, along with folks with have chronic illnesses or who are disabled (physically or cognitively), those who have experienced religious trauma, and individuals who struggle with anxiety and trauma, with their clientele being aged 13 and older. 

Fun fact about Ariana: In her life so far, she has had a pet fish, a gecko, a dog, and two rats.  She hopes to one day own a farm that she can grow food on and have a host of farm animals, including cows, chickens, and goats, while also being able to offer therapy and a place for queer folks to come, feel safe, and commune with nature.

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.

“I have great experience assisting individuals with life transitions, anxiety, depression, trauma, ADHD symptoms, relationships, and self-exploration/self-esteem struggles. I enjoy helping and assisting the minority population/people of color manage the struggles that are being faced today.”

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.