Prenatal and postpartum therapists & psychiatrists in Springfield, MA

Welcome! I have been working in the mental health field for over 15 years. I completed my Master's Degree in Social Work from Springfield College. I enjoy working with Women in varying stages of their life with a concentration in infertility and perinatal support.

We all need connection, community, and the ability to be our authentic selves in order to thrive. Many of us are not provided these attachment needs in childhood, and we grow into adulthood burdened by this wounding, unsure of how to relate safely and from a place of wholeness. If you struggle to align your inner and outer worlds, find yourself repeating difficult relational patterns, or feel as if your authentic self must remain hidden, I would love to work with you. I am particularly interested in supporting the health of queer families and cooperatives.

As a LMHC and Art Therapist, my work is rooted in the belief that creative expression can be a powerful pathway to healing, insight, and personal growth. My use of art therapy offers a unique way to explore thoughts, emotions and behaviors. Through the creative process you can safely examine experiences, reduce stress, and access deeper self-understanding. No artistic skill or background is needed the focus is on expression, not perfection.

I’m Sheela M. Palma, a board-certified Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner with a Master of Science in Nursing from The Ohio State University. With 20 years of experience supporting diverse populations, including high-risk postpartum women and individuals navigating substance use disorders, I bring both clinical expertise and a compassionate, individualized approach to psychiatric care. I work with teens and adults experiencing a range of mental health concerns, including anxiety, depression, ADHD, mood disorders, trauma, PTSD, OCD, bipolar disorder, and substance use concerns.

When a child has been through more than they should, or when a family is navigating trauma, foster care, or adoption, the right support changes everything. I work with children, adolescents, adults, and families dealing with PTSD, trauma, anxiety, depression, and the weight of whatever life has handed them, including the complex emotions that come with foster care and adoption experiences.

With more than a 10 years in mental health, I believe you are the expert on your own life. My role is to walk beside you as a guide and support as you build on your strengths and work toward the future you envision.

My clinical degree is a Master of Science in Social Administration (MSSA, MSW equivalent) from Case Western Reserve in Cleveland, Ohio (2016). I completed my Master of Education in Applied Behavioral Analysis (ABA) from University of Cincinnati (2016), and have experience as a provider of ABA services. I have a Doctorate in Behavioral Health from Arizona State University(2020).

I have been in the field of Social Work for over 25 years. Over these years I have had the pleasure of working with adults and older adults dealing with everything from life transitions, depression, anxiety, and alcohol abuse to major mental illness and end of life issues. I enjoy using my educational and personal life experience to inform my practice.

My background includes supporting individuals, couples, and families from a variety of backgrounds in navigating personal and life challenges, including depression, anxiety, trauma, parenting skills, grief and loss, transitions, etc. Currently, I am only offering individual services.

I also have 10+ years of specialized experience in working with survivors of sexual violence and non-offending loved ones in understanding the impact of trauma and exploring their own healing journey.