Couples therapists in Newton, MA

My therapeutic method is tailored to fit your temperament and individual experience. You may be facing a combination of personal, social, and institutional adversity. Discomfort may be unavoidable, but you are not alone; I can help you transform hardship or tragedy into resilience. My process is effective; it evolves as you do. If you experience negative feelings like inadequacy, grief, or shame, I can help you understand the origin of the discomfort and make changes toward ease. Sometimes, worry can be helpful; other times, anxiety and depression lie to us. Having worked in both economically-strained and prosperous communities, I have seen the impact of trauma and neglect on various people. I also understand being a white male can insulate me against the prejudice and discrimination commonly experienced by people of color, women, and the LGBTQ community; I trust my client’s experiences and take responsibility for my blind spots.

As a therapist, my goal is to provide empathy and compassion in an emotionally safe environment. I am passionate about helping people through the most difficult challenges life may have. I work with people to build their self-worth, ease emotional pain, and help regain a sense of enjoyment in their life as they once had. I envision helping people recognize their strengths, then build on their strengths, to help them to become more self-confident, happy and aware.

I am a certified cognitive behavioral therapist who is also mindful of the emotions we feel as humans. I believe therapy is holistic—mind, body, and well-being. My goal is to create a safe and judgment-free place to help guide and support you. I was previously an elementary school teacher. I am neurodivergent and enjoy working with the neurodivergent population.

Life can be overwhelming, and we all experience times of uncertainty, imbalance, or emotional pain. You don’t have to navigate these challenges alone. Seeking support is a brave and meaningful step toward greater well-being. For over 20 years, I’ve had the privilege of assisting adults and teens work through depression, anxiety, relationship struggles, chronic stress, grief, and trauma.

I’m here to help you access inner strengths and develop new strategies. Together we’ll create a plan to reach your goals.

I am a seasoned clinician with over 25 years’ experience working with adults and older adolescents struggling with anxiety, depression, family/relationship issues, grief, loss, career fatigue and other life stressors. I think of therapy as a partnership between client and therapist. I especially enjoy working with individuals and couples that feel “stuck,” are in crisis, or who are going through periods of difficult life transition. Through active listening and practical solution focused guidance, I lead clients on a path towards growth, change, and greater self-acceptance.

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).

Are you tired of carrying the weight of everything on your own? Ready to stop feeling stuck and start creating meaningful change? I help adults navigate anxiety, depression, trauma, grief, relationship and intimacy concerns, family challenges, OCD, health-related stress, sexual identity exploration, seasonal affective disorder, work stress, and major life transitions. You deserve a space where you feel genuinely heard, understood, and supported. Together, we'll uncover what's keeping you stuck, explore new perspectives, and develop practical strategies that help you move forward with greater confidence and clarity.

I understand the unique pressures of pursuing extraordinary goals while balancing the demands of work, school, relationships, and daily stressors of life. My own mental health setbacks as a Division 1 athlete inspired me to dedicate my career to supporting both the psychological wellness and competitive performance of athletes and high-achieving individuals, leading me to pursue a master’s degree in counseling with a concentration in sport psychology from Boston University.

I love working with clients who are reflective, open to self-exploration and ready to challenge long-standing beliefs about themselves. I help adults build confidence, improve emotional regulation, strengthen relationships, and develop healthier coping strategies for managing stress, anxiety, or trauma-related symptoms. I believe therapy is a collaborative process where clients gain practical tools to interrupt negative thought cycles, process difficult experiences, and move toward a more balanced, self-compassionate way of living. This helps clients experience greater clarity, stronger boundaries, and improved self-worth.

I am caring person who uses a open and compassionate approach in helping you to better understand your own needs. I use a skill building style that will build your relationships with others and provide you with interpersonal effectiveness to use in all of your important connections.

As a Licensed Therapist in MA and NH, I believe prioritizing mental health is key to happiness and stability in life. Seeking support can be one of the hardest steps. Congratulations on taking making it here! I’ve been practicing for over 15 years, seeing ages 5 to 70 years. I predominately focus in areas of Anxiety, Depression, Behavior and Trauma.

Reach me directly at [email protected] to schedule a consult or appt.

I also accept Medicare, AmBetter, UMR and United plans.

https://care.tavahealth.com/providers/jessica-gaffney

Therapy is a healing of the past, UNFOLDING OF THE PRESENT AND gift for your future. You will see growth from day one.