Grief counselors and therapists in North Andover, MA

My name is Kristen Buckley. I am a Licensed Mental Health Counselor (LMHC) dedicated to supporting adults as they navigate life’s challenges and work toward meaningful, lasting change. My practice focuses on treating depression, anxiety, PTSD, ADHD, and substance use, using a compassionate, client-centered approach tailored to each individual’s unique experiences and goals.

With over 30 years of experience, I specialize in supporting older adults and their families through some of life's most profound and challenging transitions — including dementia, aging, grief and loss, serious mental illness, and end-of-life concerns. I understand that these experiences can feel isolating and overwhelming, and I believe that having a compassionate, non-judgmental space to talk makes a real difference.

I work with people of all ages who are trying to make sense of what's going on in their lives and figure out what needs to change. They may be dealing with stress, relationship difficulties, major transitions, attention or learning difficulties, or patterns they've struggled to change on their own. Before becoming a therapist, I spent years working in business and other practical, people-focused roles, which gave me a firsthand understanding of the competing demands and pressures of everyday life.

As a board certified psychotherapist, I believe prioritizing mental health is key to happiness and stability in life. Seeking help can be one of the hardest parts, so congratulations on taking that step! I’ve been practicing for 10 years, I work with a plethora of inter-generational clients aged 21-90 who are struggling with anxiety and depression and trauma.

As a chaplain, I take a psycho-spiritual approach and work with clients assisting with intercultural issues, blended family dynamics, religiosity challenges and grief & loss.

As a Master's level therapist(MSW) and Licensed Alcohol & Drug Counselor I(LADC I) with 20 years of experience treating substance use disorders, I understand the anguish addiction causes. I treat substance addictions and mental health issues such as anxiety, depression, obsessive compulsive disorder, bipolar disorder, personality disorders and other addictions such as nicotine, gambling & gaming. You decide your level of recovery. No pressure. Questions? Please ask me!

Hello and welcome to therapy. You are one step closer on your journey to achieving your goals, passions, and intentions. You and I will develop a therapeutic relationship as you work through trauma, anxiety, depression, and other areas that you would like growth in. You will utilize the strengths that you already have, and keep expanding on those. It is my job to create a safe, open, and person-centered environment. I look forward to working with you on your healing journey! Keep going and growing.

Come and start your journey towards a better life. I will help you develop resilience and strengthen your inner core. I will work with you to develop problem solving skills, and learn effective communication skills. I am an empathetic listener with over 10 years of experience in this field.

I received my Master's in Social Work from Loyola University Chicago in 2014. My clinical values are deeply rooted in the ethos of social work, which is that to understand any person, you must understand the context of their life. This includes your family of origin, socioeconomic status, any discrimination you face, and your religious or spiritual belief system. All of these parts of your life will be essential to bring into the therapy space to understand best what ails you and where we might find remedies within you and your community.

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.