BIPOC Therapists in Boston Area Via Telehealth and in-person in Western MA
Meet Our Team
Colorful Resilience is a Queer-Afro-Latina-owned for-profit startup company providing outpatient mental health services -primarily, but not exclusively- to BIPOC, LGBTQ+, First Generation, and/or immigrant folks in Western MA (in person) and virtually anywhere in MA.
Our Current Colorful Resilience Team Members Identify As:
%
BIPOC
%
PART OF THE LGBT COMMUNITY
%
EITHER AN IMMIGRANT OR FIRST GENERATION
%
BILINGUAL
%
Neurodivergent
Leadership Team
Mayrena Guerrero, LMHC
(She/Her)
Founder and CEO
Mayrena Guerrero, LMHC
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 Wert, BA
(She/Her)
Operations Manager
Kerrie Wert, BA
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, stepson, 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 Presson-Lapre, LICSW
(She/Her)
Clinical Director
Stephanie Presson-Lapre, LICSW
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!
Administrative Team
Samma Kenney
(She/Her)
Executive Assistant
Samma Kenney
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)
Administrative Assistant
M Rudder
M Rudder (they/them/their) is a Japanese-American, non-binary, trans, and queer individual currently living on unceded Pocumtuc/Nipmuc land. They hold an MSc. from Champlain College in Applied Conflict Studies with a concentration in Organizational Development, a BFA in Fibers & Textiles from Maryland Institute College of Art, and a certificate in Spiritual Direction from Still Harbor.
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.
When they are not in their studio writing or creating, they can be found meditating, digging in the dirt/garden, playing with and learning from their dog, biking, learning about medicinal plants, spiritual traditions, and religions across the world, and spending time with their partner and two chosen kids.
Fun fact about M: They love to engage creative entrepreneurial collaborations, the most recent of which is a makers market centering LGBTQIA+ and BIPOC creators – Yet Another Queer Pop-Up Market.
Clinical Team
Holly McMahon, LMHC
(She/Her)
Clinician
Holly McMahon, LMHC
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!
Elizabeth Aguirre Shurman, LICSW
(She/They)
Clinician
Elizabeth Aguirre Shurman, LICSW
Elizabeth (Liz) identifies as a queer, anti-racist, human of Mexican descent. Elizabeth is deeply invested in the radical liberatory power of healing intergenerational trauma. She believes that unjust, oppressive, harmful systems have left scars on us all. When we choose to invest in our own therapy/healing work, the benefits can be passed on like an heirloom. Elizabeth knows that everyone has the right to be themself, work with what they have available to them, and ask for help integrating their inner world with their outer world.
Elizabeth appreciates working with a variety of people, a variety of gender expressions, a variety of life stages, primarily adolescents and adults. She says, “Growing up in the midwest suburbs of Detroit, I didn’t have a strong sense of belonging. I felt like an outsider a lot of the time. When I was first introduced to therapy as an adolescent, that safe, secure relationship helped me explore parts of myself and expanded my meaning of belonging. Everyone wants to belong!”.
Elizabeth completed a masters degree in social work at New York University in 2007, practiced social work in urban hospitals and schools for many years while living in Brooklyn, until deciding to explore a different quality of life in Western MA. As a resident of Western MA since 2015, Elizabeth loves living here.
Fun facts: Elizabeth enjoys art, music, yoga and nature in her free time. As a parent of two young children, she also enjoys rest and coffee.
Vaughn Flichtbeil, LICSW
(They/Them)
Clinician
Vaughn Flichtbeil, LICSW
Originally born in the Philippines, Vaughn grew up in upstate New York and spent much of their adulthood in Salt Lake City, Utah. They moved to Western Mass in 2019 in order to pursue rural life with their cats Florence and Clementine. Vaughn is neurodivergent, queer, and non-binary. They received their bachelor’s in International Studies from the University of Utah and a Masters in Social Work from Smith College. Additionally, they are certified as a yoga instructor (RYT-200) through the Yoga Alliance as well as being in mentorship with meditation teacher Devon Hase.
Vaughn began their career working with individuals struggling with substance use disorders. They also worked in crisis, hospital, and community mental health settings before beginning private practice in 2020. These days, they specialize in offering therapy to the LGBTQ community in addition to folks practicing non-monogamy and the kink community. They also have extensive experience treating complex trauma, including religious trauma. In addition, Vaughn enjoys supporting clients with regard to ADHD and autism. They work with individual adults, older teens, couples, and groups. As a therapist, Vaughn seeks to create a space where the entirety of the individual can safely unfold and be witnessed. In their spare time, Vaughn studies Hindi, Urdu, and French.
Naarah Macklin, ATR, LMHC
(She/Her)
Clinician
Naarah Macklin, ATR, LMHC
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.
Julia Bratz, LMHC
(She/Her)
Clinician
Julia Bratz, LMHC
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.
Nicole Baker, LMHC
(She/Her)
Clinician
Nicole Baker, LMHC
Nicole was born and raised in Springfield and lives there with her wife and their child (who’s now a young adult). She concentrated in Multicultural Urban Theater Education at Hampshire College and earned a MA in counseling psychology at Westfield State. She enjoys working with teens and adults, especially those who are queer, trans, and/or neurodivergent, and personally identifies as “neuroqueer.” She also loves working with creative people and likes making and enjoying art in her spare time.
Nicole’s therapy style is person-centered and strengths-based, trying to understand what people want out of life and then helping them figure out how their strengths can be used to help them reach their goals. She strives to practice cultural humility and empathetic curiosity. If you work with Nicole, you’ll see that she tries to ask thought provoking questions, actively listens, and encourages you to reflect on insights you may have and make decisions based on what you discover. She also helps connect people with local and online resources and can offer tricks and tips for overcoming executive functioning differences that sometimes make living in this society harder than it should be. She especially loves the wraparound ideology of “do for, do with, cheer on.”
Fun fact about Nicole: She has been to about 40 states, including Alaska, in part due to her previous life as a touring company stage manager based in New York.
Bridie Bilos, LICSW
(She/Her)
Clinician
Bridie Bilos, LICSW
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 Prado, LMHC
(She/Her)
Clinician
Ines Prado, LMHC
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 Kennedy, LMHC
(They/Them)
Clinician
K Kennedy, LMHC
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.
Clinical Interns
Jess Bradley BS
(She/Her)
Clinical Intern - Smith College
Jess Bradley BS
Jess is in the process of earning her Master of Social Work from Smith College. Originally from Oregon, Jess has spent the last eight years living in New England and calls Western Mass home. After completing her Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology, she worked at a residential treatment center in Vermont. Additionally, she has completed one year of clinical internship, working with college students and youth in a school setting. As a white clinician, Jess is committed to fostering a culturally responsive relationship with clients of all identities and backgrounds. Additionally, she identifies as queer and hopes to work with members of the LGBTQ+ community.
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 Sather BA
(They/Them)
Clinical Intern - Smith College
Nell Sather BA
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 received a B.A. in Gender, Sexuality, and Feminist Studies at Middlebury College; this education sparked a fascination with thinking through the ways that systems of oppression inform our lives and understanding of ourselves. Their practice is informed by critical feminist, queer, and anti-racist thought.
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.
Fun fact: Nell plays guitar, bass, and loves to sing. They also love all types of movement– specifically dancing, running, and swimming in rivers.