Find a therapist in Amherst, MA — covered by insurance

I have been in the field of Social Work for over 25 years. Over these years I have had the pleasure of working with adults and older adults dealing with everything from life transitions, depression, anxiety, and alcohol abuse to major mental illness and end of life issues. I enjoy using my educational and personal life experience to inform my practice.

I believe good mental health care begins with feeling heard. I’m Dr. Sylvia May, a dual-certified Psychiatric Mental Health and Family Nurse Practitioner with a Doctor of Nursing Practice degree. I provide individualized and thoughtful care for adults navigating anxiety, depression, burnout, life transitions, stress, and women’s mental health concerns.

My approach is warm, collaborative, and focused on understanding the full picture of your health and your life. With experience in both psychiatric and primary care, I consider how emotional well-being, lifestyle, medications, relationships, and life circumstances may intersect.

Together, we will develop a plan that feels realistic for your life and reflects your concerns, priorities, and goals - not simply your diagnosis.

I became a therapist because I wanted to show up for people in the moments that matter most. My background spans emergency services, crisis intervention, inpatient psychiatry, residential programs, and outpatient care — experience that shaped a trauma-informed, strengths-based approach to every session.

I work with adults navigating anxiety, depression, trauma and PTSD, panic attacks, anger management, life transitions, and relationship challenges. I also offer couples counseling through a Solution-Focused approach. As a Black male therapist in Central Massachusetts, I'm especially attuned to the needs of men's mental health — an area that is underserved and where I bring both lived experience and clinical depth.

I'm an LICSW — Massachusetts' highest independent social work license — trained at Salem State University and offering evidence-based, online therapy across the state.

I offer an environment of ease and attentive listening as a place to begin. Our work together will help you feel more grounded and less overwhelmed, so painful emotions can be met with understanding and long held patterns considered from new perspectives. Over time, you can expect to move through life with more self compassion and steadiness.

With more than 15 years of experience in office, hospital and hospice settings as a hospice chaplain, I have helped adults navigate grief, trauma, anxiety, depression, and crises of purpose and meaning.

I graduated from Smith College School of Social Work in Northampton, MA, in 2002 and have been helping people with various mental health issues since that time. I have been trained in psychodynamic therapy, DBT, mindfulness, and Somatic Experiencing, among other modalities.

My journey started with volunteering in the Guidance Counselor's office at my high school. In this setting, my emotional intelligence and level of empathy began to grow. I decided to study Psychology to understand how the mind works, then studied Social Work to understand how that mind works when affected by events in the environment. I have worked extensively with children/ students, the LGBTQIA+ community, people living with HIV/ AIDS, the elderly, Veterans, Immigrants, couples and families. I accept clients no matter their race, gender, ethnicity or background. I utilize a strength- based approach for my clients as I believe we all have the ability to take control of our own lives.

I am a Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker. There are credentials I could list and ways for you to assess why I am the right clinician for you, and while those things matter, what I find most true is this: I care deeply about this work.

Finding the right therapist is hard, and on behalf of all therapists, I'm sorry this is true. I won't promise a "safe space" for the people I work with, but I can promise an accountable one. I am committed to learning alongside you, knowing that we will teach each other what comes next. I will create the container for our work, and together, I hope to build a foundation of trust that allows you to heal, grow, challenge, accept, and integrate all that has brought you here.

Many people who come to see me are living with depression, overwhelmed with anxiety, or are processing and healing from past trauma. You might be going through a major life transition or find your usual ways of coping are no longer working. You might feel stuck, uncertain, and disconnected from yourself. Investing in therapy can be difficult when there are so many other things that demand your attention. My role is to help you explore what is important to you, what is getting in the way, and make realistic, actionable steps towards your goals.

Disclaimer: My current role as an Access Clinician at Harvard University Health Services allows me to work with folx from all walks of life. I hold a small caseload in my private practice to focus on my clinical interests. Due to my role, I do not see any actively enrolled Harvard students in my private practice. However, this means you can see me at CAMHS for short-term counseling.

Are you having difficulty adjusting to a new environment, relationship, identity, or phase of life? Do you overanalyze social interactions or struggle to connect with others? I have worked in community mental health, college counseling, and private practice settings. I work with adults who struggle with anxiety, depression, life transitions and relational concerns. As a queer-identified therapist, I am also dedicated to working with LGBTQ+ folks, and affirming of kink and ENM/polyamory as well.

I am accepting new clients. Navigating through life can be challenging. I have extensive experience and advanced training in substance use. My concentrations are substance use, depression, anxiety, and trauma. I am also experienced in providing emotional support with LGBTQ+, life stressors, relationship difficulties, divorce, legal problems, financial issues, or loss. I have worked with adults of diverse backgrounds and all walks of life. Every person's journey is unique. My hope is to support you in your intentions to live your best and most satisfying life.

I have worked in the field of psychology for over 25 years and hold two Master’s degrees as well as a PhD in Neuropsychology. I provide psychotherapy for individuals across the lifespan and specialize in the treatment of mood disorders, including anxiety, depression, and post-traumatic stress disorder.

I also work with individuals who are navigating major life stressors such as divorce, career transitions, and other significant changes. In addition, I help clients address concerns related to anger management, chronic stress, and the psychological impact of health issues.

My goal is to support clients in developing effective coping strategies, gaining insight, and making meaningful changes that improve their overall well-being and quality of life.

My name is Wendy Hagen, and I am a Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker (LICSW).

I believe therapy should feel both comfortable and useful in your everyday life. We’ll talk about what’s happening, but we’ll also work on practical skills you can use between sessions. I want you to feel comfortable being yourself, knowing you’ll be met with compassion, honesty, and without judgment.

There may be difficult conversations, moments when something finally clicks, and probably some humor along the way. I’ll listen, offer perspective, and gently challenge you when it may help. My goal is for you to leave with greater clarity, confidence, and tools you can actually use as you navigate life.

Welcome! I’m so glad you’re here. I have several years of experience working with teens and young adults, and I strive to create a space that feels comfortable, supportive, and easy to open up in - where you can truly feel heard and understood. My approach is warm and collaborative, and I’m here to help you build confidence and develop the tools you need to navigate whatever life brings your way.