Bipolar disorder therapists & psychiatrists in Worcester, 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.

I am a board-certified psychiatric nurse practitioner. I earned both my Doctor of Nursing Practice and Master of Science in Nursing degrees from Columbia University. My clinical training includes experience in child, adolescent, and adult inpatient psychiatry, as well as school-based and private practice settings. Prior to becoming a nurse practitioner, I worked as a registered nurse in a detox and rehab facility serving individuals with substance use disorders, many from underserved backgrounds, including low-income, formerly incarcerated, and unhoused populations. I currently practice in a federally qualified health center.

It takes two to speak the truth: one to speak, and another to hear - Thoreau

I strive to help clients by being curious, kind, reliable, and insightful. This is how I believe therapy helps people to grow, and to ultimately feel better about themselves and their lives.

I primarily work through a psychodynamic lens, focusing on a client's emotional life, exploring connections between a client's past and present, and addressing internal conflicts. I also use ideas found in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy such as exploring thought patterns and negative core beliefs.

Four decades. That's how long I've been doing this work — and I mean that not as a resume line, but as a promise. Over forty years of sitting with people through the things that crack a life open: the identity shifts that come with midlife, the isolation that quietly builds, the grief of a body that's changed, the exhaustion of caregiving for someone else while your own needs go unmet. I bring deep expertise in depression, anxiety, relationship challenges, and the complex emotional terrain that emerges as life evolves through its stages. I specialize in working with adults — particularly women, caregivers, and individuals facing chronic health challenges or major life transformations — who are navigating chapters of life that often go unacknowledged and underserved. If you've ever felt like the world was moving too fast while you were standing still, wondering who you are now and what comes next — this is the practice that was built for you.

I am a board-certified Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner with a passion for integrative, whole-person care. By blending the principles of integrative psychiatry with a deep understanding of adult medicine, I am committed to treating the mind and body as a unified system. I believe that true wellness requires dedicated attention to both.

Finding a provider can be challenging, overwhelming, and at times embarrassing. I have been in treatment for over 20 years, which prompted me to want to support other people like me. I am proficient in DBT as these skills have saved my life.

I am a woman in recovery, have been in psychiatric units, have a child with another woman, and attempted to end my life. I am healing everyday and you are part of that process.

I have worked with a variety of populations. I am passionate about working with other mental health professionals struggling with anxiety, depression, and trauma. I am honored to work with first responders (fire fighters, police, paramedics, doctors, etc). You are not alone. I understand the complex dynamics associated with seeking help.

I am accepting new clients. Navigating through life can be challenging. I have extensive experience and advanced training in substance use. My concentrations are substance use, depression, anxiety, and trauma. I am also experienced in providing emotional support with LGBTQ+, life stressors, relationship difficulties, divorce, legal problems, financial issues, or loss. I have worked with adults of diverse backgrounds and all walks of life. Every person's journey is unique. My hope is to support you in your intentions to live your best and most satisfying life.