Trauma and PTSD therapists & psychiatrists in Lawrence, MA

We all need connection, community, and the ability to be our authentic selves in order to thrive. Many of us are not provided these attachment needs in childhood, and we grow into adulthood burdened by this wounding, unsure of how to relate safely and from a place of wholeness. If you struggle to align your inner and outer worlds, find yourself repeating difficult relational patterns, or feel as if your authentic self must remain hidden, I would love to work with you. I am particularly interested in supporting the health of queer families and cooperatives.

My name is Fernando Velázquez, MS, LADC I, CADC II, CCDP-I, and I am a bilingual (English/Spanish) addiction and mental health counselor with a passion for helping individuals and families achieve recovery, healing, and personal growth.

I earned a Bachelor's Degree in Psychology and a Master of Science in Addiction Counseling. Throughout my career, I have worked in a variety of behavioral health settings, including residential treatment programs, outpatient services, community-based recovery programs, crisis intervention, and case management. I currently serve in a leadership role within a residential recovery program, where I provide clinical supervision, treatment planning, and direct support to individuals recovering from substance use and co-occurring mental health disorders.

My professional experience includes working with adults from diverse cultural, socioeconomic, and ethnic backgrounds who are facing challenges related to addiction, mental health, trauma, homelessness, criminal justice involvement, chronic relapse, and life transitions. I have extensive experience supporting individuals recovering from opioid use disorder, alcohol use disorder, stimulant use disorder, gambling disorder, depression, anxiety, trauma, PTSD, and co-occurring disorders.

As a bilingual clinician, I am particularly passionate about serving Hispanic and Latino communities, helping individuals overcome barriers to treatment while providing culturally responsive care. I understand the importance of family, culture, spirituality, and community in the recovery process and strive to incorporate these strengths into treatment whenever appropriate.

Recovery and healing are possible for everyone, and I am committed to helping clients identify their strengths, overcome obstacles, and build a life that reflects their values, goals, and potential.

I have been a mental health clinician for over 20 years and have worked with many people to help them be their preferred self. I am licensed in Connecticut and Massachusetts.

I am a licensed clinical social worker with experience in community mental health, crisis intervention, and counseling. I specialize in supporting individuals who have experienced trauma and adversity, and I approach therapy from a holistic perspective—seeing each client as a whole person within the context of their environment.

My work is rooted in being trauma-informed, nonjudgmental, and collaborative. I often integrate somatic therapy and mindfulness, recognizing that trauma is carried not only in the mind but also in the body. My goal is to create a safe, supportive space where clients can explore their experiences, build resilience, and move toward healing.

Mental healthcare has been a lifelong passion of mine, and I am committed to helping others. My therapeutic style builds on my compassionate, empathetic, and attentive nature. In the past, I have worked well with clients with anxiety, complex trauma, PTSD, narcissistic abuse, personality and/or mood disorders. I genuinely care about the people who entrust me within my therapy practice and consider being a therapist one of the greatest privileges of my life.

*Former clients are welcome to reach out if they want to resume therapy, even if I do not have scheduled openings on Headway.

I bring more than clinical training to this work—drawing on two decades in supporting individuals to self-actualize through education, design, and community building. My approach is integrative, warm, and forward-looking. It’s practical and rooted in evidence-based practices like Internal Family Systems, Rational Emotive Behavior Therapy (REBT), expanded by a adaptive and existential frameworks, and grounded in the belief that safety and transformation begin from within.

With over 25 years of experience as a Licensed Clinical Social Worker, I specialize in supporting individuals navigating grief and loss, life transitions, chronic illness, trauma (including first responders), aging-related concerns, and members of the agricultural and farming communities.

I provide telehealth services across multiple states, I’m here to support you on your journey toward healing and growth.

I have worked in the mental health field for over 10 years, and have experience working with adults, children and families. I earned my Master's degree in 2023 in Clinical Psychology from Bridgewater State University. I have experience with many mental health diagnoses including depression, anxiety, PTSD, psychosis, and personality disorders. I love connecting with women and mothers and helping them to find their joy and peace.

I am a Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker (LICSW) with 25 years' experience, who specializes in helping adults learn skill to cope with anxiety, trauma, depression and difficult relationship experiences, including narcissistic abuse and coercive control.

Clients often tell me they feel deeply heard, validated, and understood in our work together. I balance insight oriented exploration with practical tools you can use in your daily life.

With over 25 years of experience in the mental health field, I bring a steady, compassionate presence to individuals navigating anxiety, depression, and overwhelming stress. I believe healing happens in relationships that feel safe, respectful, and collaborative.

I am at my best when I am a guide for others. I start by listening and developing understanding of who you are, what you value, and where you struggle. I will help you to find your way back to yourself and develop the trust you need in yourself to live your best life. I use an approach that is very collaborative offering tools and resources, but assisting you to choose your own direction.

We all struggle at times, especially in the way we live these days. I can help you understand how and why you may be feeling overwhelmed, stuck, or disconnected and develop strategies to move through this to a happier, more grounded, and more confident version of yourself.