Anxiety and depression therapists and psychiatrists in Newton, MA

I have been practicing as a licensed therapist for 10 years and specialize in helping people reclaim their lives by healing from the pain of trauma, anxiety, and depression. I am trained as a clinical mental health counselor with additional specializations in play therapy and trauma focused work. I work with all populations from preteen into adulthood.

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.

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.

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.

I am passionate about working with people to understand and overcome things such as anxiety, depression, coping with issues relating to the Covid pandemic, anger and mitigating substance use.

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.