Book a therapist or psychiatrist in New Bedford, MA covered by Aetna

As a psychotherapist, I believe that a holistic approach is the key to building sustained happiness and resilience. Over the last decade, I have committed to an individualized collaborative approach toward wellness with a background as a certified personal trainer and certified nutrition coach.

Hello, I’m Charles, a Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker (LICSW) dedicated to helping adults build healthier, more fulfilling lives. I work with individuals and couples facing anxiety, depression, trauma, PTSD, grief, relationship difficulties, self-esteem concerns, and major life transitions. My approach is compassionate, collaborative, and grounded in trauma-informed care. I strive to create a safe, nonjudgmental environment where you can openly explore your experiences, gain insight into patterns that may be holding you back, and develop the tools needed to heal, grow, and move forward with confidence.

Many people come to therapy feeling overwhelmed by anxiety, trauma, relationship challenges, or life experiences that have left them feeling disconnected from themselves or uncertain about how to move forward. I believe that healing begins with feeling truly seen, heard, and accepted. I am passionate about helping clients recognize their strengths, reconnect with their authentic selves, and build lives that feel more grounded, meaningful, and aligned with who they are.

I earned my Master's degree from Springfield College in 2007 and bring nearly two decades of clinical experience across a wide range of settings, including outpatient clinics, in-home therapy, residential treatment, juvenile justice programs, school-based services, and as a school adjustment counselor. These experiences have given me a deep understanding of how trauma, relationships, and life experiences shape emotional well-being across the lifespan. While my background includes extensive work with children, adolescents, and families, my practice is primarily focused on supporting teens and adults who are navigating life's challenges. I am committed to providing culturally responsive, affirming care that honors each person's unique identity and lived experience.

I believe therapy works best when it feels both safe and grounded in real understanding. My background in neurobiology research and medical social work shapes how I see healing — as something that involves your brain, your body, your relationships, and your story. I specialize in grief, medical trauma, caregiving stress, chronic illness, ADHD, and attachment wounds. I also work closely with clinicians and first responders, people who are often the helpers in everyone else’s lives.

Welcome, and come as you are. I believe meaningful change begins with understanding yourself on a deeper level. Many of the struggles we experience in adulthood, whether in relationships, self-worth, anxiety, trauma, communication, or life satisfaction, are shaped by patterns that developed long before we were aware of them. Often these patterns started as adaptations, ways of coping or relating that once helped us navigate our family or environment and made sense at the time. My role is to help you identify those patterns, understand why they exist, and create lasting change rather than simply managing symptoms.

I’m a Licensed Mental Health Counselor who runs a private practice called Next Play Therapy. I work with adolescents, young adults, adults, and athletes. My background includes both school-based counseling and outpatient therapy, where I’ve helped clients manage anxiety, stress, depression, self-esteem challenges, and life transitions. I also have experience coaching high school athletics, which has shaped my passion for helping athletes build confidence and mental resilience. My goal is to create a supportive space where clients feel comfortable, understood, and empowered to move forward.