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

Mayrena is an immigrant originally 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 a MS in Mental Health Counseling from Fitchburg State University. Mayrena worked for many years in outpatient community mental health before starting her private practice in 2015. Mayrena founded Colorful Resilience LLC in February 2022 in order to help meet the outpatient mental health needs of the various communities she has been providing services to throughout her career. Mayrena identifies as Queer. She lives with her child in Western Massachusetts. Mayrena speaks openly of all her intersectionalities in order 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 about Mayrena: “English is my second language and to this day I can read an email multiple times and still manage to send it out with a few spelling mistakes. It’s embarrassing, but I’ve learned to live with it. I call myself The Typo Queen!”

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.

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!