Anxiety and depression therapists and psychiatrists in Chelmsford, MA

Hello and welcome! Do you feel stuck - maybe in a difficult relationship with someone important or in a complicated relationship with yourself? My aim is to help you begin healing as quickly as possible, even when the issues are long-standing. Together, we will explore the present and seek out transformational processes, rather than focus on the past or simply relive old wounds as a more traditional approach might.

I work with individuals and people in relationships navigating grief, trauma, anxiety, shame, anger, relationship distress, parenting, adoption, identity, and life transitions. Together, we'll slow down enough to notice what has been difficult to see, better understand what's happening beneath the surface, and explore new ways of relating to yourself and others.

I am a licensed mental health counselor, and in recent years, my practice has evolved to focus on the issues of depression, anxiety, and trauma. I treat clients of all ages, but my special interest in working with individuals in highly stressful work\school environments.

Life can be hard, and everyone needs help sometimes. In fact, humans are by nature collaborative. It can be difficult to see all the possibilities when your mood or hurts from your past are getting in the way.

As a licensed mental health clinician, I utilize a combination of evidence-based interventions and genuine compassion, empathy, and belief in growth through the therapy process. My background is in cognitive behavioral therapy, with training in dialectical behavioral therapy and motivational interviewing. I have experience working with teenagers and adults of all ages in addressing struggles related to anxiety, depression, addiction, grief & loss, life transitions, and trauma.

I hold dual board certification as a Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner and an Adult Nurse Practitioner. I have extensive experience as an Adult Nurse Practitioner which offers an in-depth understanding of the relationship between medical and psychiatric illnesses. I provide medication management for mental health conditions. I do not provide therapy only.

I am a Licensed Mental Health Counselor who has been providing therapeutic services to youth, parents, and adults for over 30 years. Treatment settings include psychiatric hospitals, residential programs, schools, and community outpatient treatment centers. I received my Master of Science degree in Counseling from Fitchburg State University and earned a Certificate of Advanced Graduate Study in Expressive Therapies from Lesley University. Currently, I am only working with adults.

My background includes supporting individuals, couples, and families from a variety of backgrounds in navigating personal and life challenges, including depression, anxiety, trauma, parenting skills, grief and loss, transitions, etc. Currently, I am only offering individual services.

I also have 10+ years of specialized experience in working with survivors of sexual violence and non-offending loved ones in understanding the impact of trauma and exploring their own healing journey.

A bit about my educational journey: Upon Graduating from High School in Oregon, I headed East. I earned my Bachelors Degree in Communication Studies from Emerson College in Boston where I minored in Psychology. My Masters in Clinical Mental Health came years later from Lesley University in Cambridge, MA.

Healing Across the Lifespan: A Partnership in Mental Wellness

Choosing a mental health provider is a deeply personal decision. You aren’t just looking for a prescriber; you are looking for a witness to your story, an expert in the biological complexities of the brain, and a partner in your recovery.

My name is Jessica Stanley, and I am a Board-Certified Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP-BC). My journey to this practice has been defined by a unique duality: the macro view of a healthcare executive and the micro focus of a dedicated clinician. Before opening the doors to this practice, I served as the Clinical Director for a large-scale healthcare organization. In that role, I was responsible for the oversight of complex systems, the mentorship of large clinical teams, and the implementation of evidence-based protocols across diverse populations.

While my time in leadership allowed me to impact mental health at a systemic level, my true passion has always remained in the quiet, transformative moments of the exam room. I have returned to full-time clinical practice to bring that high-level expertise back to where it matters most: the individual human experience.

Mental health does not exist in a vacuum, nor does it look the same at age seven as it does at seventy. I specialize in treating patients across the entire lifespan. Whether I am working with a child struggling to navigate their first years of school, an adolescent facing the pressures of identity formation, or an adult managing the heavy mantle of career and family, my approach remains the same: comprehensive, compassionate, and evidence based.

Areas of Specialization

I am trained to treat a broad spectrum of psychiatric conditions including:

ADHD & Neurodivergence

Anxiety Disorders

Depression

PTSD & Trauma Recovery

As a LMHC and Art Therapist, my work is rooted in the belief that creative expression can be a powerful pathway to healing, insight, and personal growth. My use of art therapy offers a unique way to explore thoughts, emotions and behaviors. Through the creative process you can safely examine experiences, reduce stress, and access deeper self-understanding. No artistic skill or background is needed the focus is on expression, not perfection.