Prenatal and postpartum therapists & psychiatrists in New Bedford, MA

I’m Sheela M. Palma, a board-certified Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner with a Master of Science in Nursing from The Ohio State University. With 20 years of experience supporting diverse populations, including high-risk postpartum women and individuals navigating substance use disorders, I bring both clinical expertise and a compassionate, individualized approach to psychiatric care. I work with teens and adults experiencing a range of mental health concerns, including anxiety, depression, ADHD, mood disorders, trauma, PTSD, OCD, bipolar disorder, and substance use concerns.

**Currently accepting new clients in MA (virtual) and NH (virtual and in person at our Londonderry office)**

Hello and welcome!

I'm a board-certified Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner with experience in outpatient psychiatry and community mental health. I enjoy working with adults experiencing anxiety, depression, ADHD, and other mental health conditions. I have a special interest in women's mental health, including pregnancy, postpartum, and menopause. My goal is to provide compassionate, evidence-based care in a welcoming and supportive environment where you feel heard, respected, and empowered to take an active role in your mental health journey.

Most people arrive at therapy carrying something they've never said out loud. My job is to make saying it possible by being someone worth trusting with it.

I've been a practicing counselor for over a decade. I also teach and supervise the next generation of therapists, which keeps me sharp and current. But experience and credentials aren't what makes the work good. What makes therapy work is that I'm a real person in the room with you: direct when that helps, quiet when that helps more. I will never ask you to do something I'm not willing to do myself.

My education isn't limited to my degrees. My clients have taught me more about resilience, compassion, and what it means to live fully than any program did. I hold that as sacred, and I take you as seriously as I take that.

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.

I am a licensed clinical psychologist providing support to adults and university students around managing anxiety, life transitions, stress, career and academics, improving body image, and navigating interpersonal relationships. I have extensive experience working with young adults in college mental health settings, having trained at MIT and Tufts University, and having worked as a staff psychologist at the Harvard University Counseling Center. My approach in therapy is supportive, warm, active, curious, non-judgmental and caring. Please email me to schedule a free 15 minute consult to see if we would be a good fit for therapy.

Hello my name is Valerie Cotto I am a license mental health counselor. I have a master's degree from Springfield College. Currently my heart is set on supporting women during their pregnancy journey and beyond. Maternal mental health is very important and sometimes overlooked. I want to change that. My experience also includes substance abuse treatment, depression, anxiety and women's overall health.

As a psychiatric-mental health nurse practitioner, the provider helps clients manage their mental health with both medication and therapy. The provider is trained to diagnose and treat mental health conditions and works together with each client to find the best plan. Conversations are private, and client comfort and safety are top priorities. Clients are encouraged to ask questions and share concerns. If urgent help is needed outside of sessions, contact information will be provided. The provider’s main goal is to support clients in feeling better and living well.

Welcome to my Headway profile! I am a Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker who provides psychotherapy online to clients in Massachusetts. I have been practicing clinical social work for five years now. I specialize in the treatment of PTSD and anxiety and I have advanced training in Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT).

I specialize in helping couples and adults navigate relationship challenges, cultural differences, and major life transitions. My work is especially focused on couples who feel disconnected, stuck in recurring conflict, or unsure how to rebuild trust and emotional closeness. As a Level 3 Gottman Method-trained therapist, I help partners understand their patterns, communicate more effectively, and create a stronger relationship. I also support individuals balancing career, family, cultural adjustment, and the demands of a new chapter.