Anxiety and depression therapists and psychiatrists in Springfield, MA

Hello, and welcome. My name is Elisha Bernstein and I’m a Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker with over 17 years of experience supporting individuals through life’s challenges. I attended Simmons University in Social Work. Most of my clinical background is working in acute behavioral health needs.

I have always known I wanted to be a therapist. From a young age I was empathic, patient, validating, comforting, flexible, and trustworthy. I believe that these were attributes that my friends and family seek me out for advice or to vent.

I studied psychology at Ithaca College and then worked for 4 years in foster care and group homes in NJ and NYC. Then, I moved to Boston and got my masters in mental health counseling at UMass Boston. Since graduating, I have worked in a wide variety of mental health environments; programs, schools, community based mental health, and virtual therapy platforms.

I am someone who is passionate about helping others and making everyone I meet feel heard, seen, and empowered.

I believe that therapy can have a great impact on one's life. If one is motivated, one can resolve problems, feel better, and address past hardships. I have over thirty years of experience helping clients achieve their goals in a supportive and safe environment. I am fluent in both English and Spanish. I received my undergraduate degree from Stanford University and my Masters of Social Work from Columbia University. I have resided in both the United States and Latin America. I look forward to working with each and every client, in order that they may reach their happiest self possible.

I'm a Massachusetts LICSW who works with people who've had to be strong for a long time - youth, neurodivergent adults, LGBTQIA+ folks, parents, and people navigating anxiety, grief, burnout, trauma, poverty or substance use. I bring lived experience to this work, not just credentials. I'm direct, warm, and genuinely invested in the people I work with. I do telehealth, which means sessions are on your schedule, in your space, no commute required.

You might look like you have it together—but inside, your mind doesn’t slow down. You overthink conversations, second-guess decisions, and feel constant pressure to stay “on” at school, work, or in relationships. When things finally get quiet, your brain doesn’t—it gets louder. I work with adolescents and young adults who are tired of feeling stuck in that cycle. Many of my clients are high-functioning on the outside but internally overwhelmed, anxious, or mentally exhausted. They don’t just want to “talk about feelings”—they want real tools that actually help.

If you’re feeling anxious, overwhelmed, depressed, stuck, or worn down by stress, trauma, relationships, or health concerns, therapy can help you find a clearer path forward. I’m a licensed psychologist who works with adolescents and adults, with clinical and academic experience at Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School. I trained in medicine at Tehran University of Medical Sciences before earning my PhD in clinical psychology at the University of Houston. My style is warm, practical, and evidence-based, while always tailored to you as a person.