Addiction therapists & psychiatrists in Springfield, MA

Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker | Certified Dementia Practitioner

Boston, MA | In-Person & Telehealth Sessions

I am a Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker (LICSW) and Certified Dementia Practitioner (CDP) with more than two decades of clinical experience helping adults navigate complex emotional, relational, and medical challenges. I hold a Master’s in Clinical Social Work from Boston College and have dedicated my career to providing thoughtful, evidence-based care rooted in authenticity, compassion, and the belief that genuine change is possible at every stage of life.

My areas of specialization include anxiety, depression, trauma, chronic pain, medical conditions, LGBTQ+ identity and relationships, grief and loss, end-of-life issues, and advanced care planning. My integrative approach draws from Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Solution-Focused Therapy, and a Humanistic framework. I believe that movement is medicine, and that healing emerges through the mind–body connection — where awareness, purpose, and action intersect.

As a gay clinician, I am deeply committed to creating an affirming, inclusive space where clients can explore identity, relationships, and resilience with honesty and respect. I strive to help each person cultivate balance, clarity, and a renewed sense of possibility in their lives.

My journey stems from my own story of resilience in the face of hardships. I became a therapist because I have always wanted to help people through some of their darkest hours. Being exposed to some dark hours myself, I know that it is difficult to do it alone. When you have someone to confide in, assist you through the hard times, and just let you know that you are not alone, makes a difference.

My therapeutic approach includes CBT, Person-Centered Therapy, Relational Therapy, DBT, Motivational Interviewing, SFT, EFT, IFS, and just speaking like a human being. I offer a compassionate, trauma-informed space where you can feel safe, seen, and supported. My approach is relational and personalized—we'll explore your story together, build coping tools, and move toward healing with curiosity, courage, and care.

Therapy with me is real, down-to-earth, and never boring. I mix honesty, humor, and heart to make the process comfortable. I help adults manage emotions, build confidence, and tackle life's challenges with tools that work. Think of it as a safe space to be yourself, grow, and maybe laugh along the way. Please book here or at https://evolvetothrive9.com.

I grew up in MA. I went to both public and catholic schools. I earned a 2nd degree black belt from Premier Martial Arts. I earned a BA in Psychology from UML. I worked at a group home for teenagers, then one for adult men with schizophrenia. I worked as a support and then a lead teacher at a day program for adults with developmental disabilities. There, I learned a lot about Behaviorism and ABA. I was then able to work as a clinician as I finished my graduate degree.

I earned my graduate degree at Fitchburg State University. I did my internship at the Community Health Center in Fitchburg. I worked in community mental health before venturing out on my own.

The foundation of my practice is based on the respect I have for my clients, and my therapeutic approach is collaborative and tailored to your needs. As a trained and experienced therapist, I am not only technically objective, but also provide you with emotional nourishment and assistance as you work through problem areas in your life. Psychotherapy is about growth and transformation and equips you to overcome challenges impacting your family, job or relationships. My areas of expertise include addiction, relationship or job-related issues, depression, anxiety and stress. I employ solution focused therapy based on psychodynamic, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and Mindfulness approaches. I am also a qualified Substance Abuse Professional (SAP) to evaluate employees who have violated a DOT drug and alcohol program regulation and makes recommendations concerning education, treatment, follow-up, testing, and aftercare.

I earned my Bachelor of Nursing from University of Connecticut (Go Huskies!) before moving to Boston to start my career in bedside nursing in 2019. After serving as an RN and Director of Nursing at a residential treatment center, I earned my PMHNP at Regis College to specialize in mental health. Since then, I’ve gained diverse experience providing cutting-edge ketamine therapy in outpatient clinics and managing complex cases in inpatient psychiatry. Now, I’m bringing that clinical expertise—along with post-graduate training in CBT—to my full-time private practice, where I provide comprehensive, compassionate care for patients navigating anxiety, depression, OCD and ADHD in the South Boston area.

Healing Across the Lifespan: A Partnership in Mental Wellness

Choosing a mental health provider is a deeply personal decision. You aren’t just looking for a prescriber; you are looking for a witness to your story, an expert in the biological complexities of the brain, and a partner in your recovery.

My name is Jessica Stanley, and I am a Board-Certified Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP-BC). My journey to this practice has been defined by a unique duality: the macro view of a healthcare executive and the micro focus of a dedicated clinician. Before opening the doors to this practice, I served as the Clinical Director for a large-scale healthcare organization. In that role, I was responsible for the oversight of complex systems, the mentorship of large clinical teams, and the implementation of evidence-based protocols across diverse populations.

While my time in leadership allowed me to impact mental health at a systemic level, my true passion has always remained in the quiet, transformative moments of the exam room. I have returned to full-time clinical practice to bring that high-level expertise back to where it matters most: the individual human experience.

Mental health does not exist in a vacuum, nor does it look the same at age seven as it does at seventy. I specialize in treating patients across the entire lifespan. Whether I am working with a child struggling to navigate their first years of school, an adolescent facing the pressures of identity formation, or an adult managing the heavy mantle of career and family, my approach remains the same: comprehensive, compassionate, and evidence based.

Areas of Specialization

I am trained to treat a broad spectrum of psychiatric conditions including:

ADHD & Neurodivergence

Anxiety Disorders

Depression

PTSD & Trauma Recovery

Your brain is always going, a constant loop of ideas, worries, and “shoulds.” You feel pulled in a million directions but can’t seem to start or finish the things that matter most. Deadlines sneak up, motivation comes in bursts, and overwhelm feels like your baseline. You might procrastinate until the last minute, avoid things that feel scary or hard, or overcommit to keep everyone happy, only to feel burned out and guilty later. Shame and self-criticism show up daily. More than anything, you want to quiet the mental noise, feel capable and calm, and stop beating yourself up.

I have extensive experience in community mental health and private practice settings working with teens and adults. I received my Masters of Science in Psychology from Johnson & Wales University. I am licensed to practice in Rhode Island, Connecticut and Massachusetts.