Our Staff

John Schatzel, LICSW - President/Clinical Director

I approach all clients where they are and look to develop treatment goals around the concept of a life worth living. I have received my training from the Massachusetts Mental Health Center, a Harvard Medical School Training Facility, during the course of my clinical training. There I worked in conjunction with a multidisciplinary team to assess, collaborate, and treat clients needs. During my time spent at the Massachusetts Mental Health Center and, through other professional roles, I have been able to work with the following clinical populations: Major Mental Illness, Substance Abuse, Co-Occurring Disorders, Personality Disorders, Mood Disorders, Phobic Disorders, Anxiety Disorders, Depressive Disorders, Trauma, Eating Disorders, Problematic Sexual Behavior, and Disorders of Identity.

As a result of my work with these populations I have received specialized training in Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) and Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) which are change oriented, evidence based approaches which are highly effective in regards to the treatment of Trauma and the change of problematic behaviors. These modalities both teach and reinforce coping skills across various domains including: Mindfulness, Distress Tolerance, Interpersonal Effectiveness, and Emotional Regulation.

In addition to working with clients directly, I have been involved in research, publications, licensing, and program development. I was a granted researcher for the publication Desistance from Sexual Offending: Narratives of Retirement, Regulation and Recovery (Palgrave Studies in Risk, Crime and Society) in addition to being a chapter editor for All About Anxiety: An Introductory Guide to Neuroscience, Assessment, and Intervention.

Michelle Sheriff, LICSW - Individual Therapist

Michelle Sheriff is a Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker specializing in family therapy. She earned her Master’s Degree in Social Work from Boston University with a focus on trauma and violence and her Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology from University of Rochester. Michelle has a broad range of clinical experience, including working in elementary and middle schools in educational and counseling roles, implementing mental health programming in high schools across New York state, and conducting research on the impact of parental conflict on children's mental health. For over six years, Michelle served as an in-home therapy clinician, providing intensive family therapy to youth facing chronic mental health challenges and their families, utilizing a variety of family therapy approaches. Michelle has built strong collaborative relationships with schools, hospitals, state agencies, and community organizations to create comprehensive support systems for families. Michelle also has experience as a clinical supervisor for in-home therapy clinicians, providing weekly supervision and fostering a collaborative, professional development-focused environment. Michelle brings creativity, warmth, and compassion to her work with individuals and families. Michelle specializes in helping clients navigate a range of challenges, including anxiety, depression, trauma, adoption, divorce, and relationship issues. Michelle draws from a diverse set of therapeutic approaches, incorporating cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), solution-focused techniques, narrative therapy, as well as strategic and structural family therapy.

Charlene Kelly, LMHC - Individual Therapist

My name is Charlene and I have been a counselor for 25 years. I have had my LMHC for over 15 years and I love helping and supporting the clients I work with. I began my career working with children and adolescents, and their families. I have extensive experience working with children, adolescents, and adults that have been in crisis, and have been exposed to trauma. I have worked with families that have been involved with DCF, and worked with clients involved in the legal system. Most recently I have been working with clients ages 17 to 87 years old. My experience includes working with clients that have been exposed to trauma, PTSD, substance abuse, anxiety, depression, mood disorders. ADHD, and working with clients that have high functioning autism..

I feel there is a mind/body interaction when it comes to our mental health symptoms. The more we are aware of our emotions, and processing our emotions the more emotionally healthy a person can be. I teach my clients to use CBT, Behavioral, Motivational Interviewing, and DBT to help my clients attain their goal and to help support my clients.

Megan Furtado, LICSW - Individual Therapist

I am Meg Furtado, a licensed independent clinical social worker. I have spent 10+ years working with children and families. I have worked with children and adolescents, age 3-17, struggling with anxiety, depression, trauma, grief & loss, mood disorders, gender identity, and adoption & fostering. I take a non-judgmental, empathetic approach to all children and families with whom I work. I use modalities individualized to the needs of each client, including CBT, Internal Family Systems, psychodynamic, and play therapy. I exclusively do in-person appointments to better support children being able to express, identify, and cope with their emotional and mental health needs.

Jacquelyn Heavey, LICSW - Individual Therapist

I am a licensed individual clinical social worker and school adjustment counselor with experience in school, medical, residential and community agency settings. I believe in building positive, respectful client-therapist relationships and providing a safe, supportive environment for clients to explore their therapeutic needs and goals. My approach is nonjudgmental, collaborative and gentle.

I have over ten years of experience in the human services field, a background in expressive arts, and utilize aspects of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Solution Focused Therapy, Expressive Arts Therapy and Play Therapy in my practice. I am passionate about social-emotional growth and embracing individuality. Some of my areas of interest include Obsessive Compulsive Disorder, Anxiety, Autism Spectrum Disorder, Intellectual Disability, Prenatal and Postpartum health and social struggles.

Jackie practices at our Topsfield, Ma location.

Davida Raftery, LICSW - Individual Therapist

My name is Davida Raftery, I am a LICSW therapist. I graduated and received my MSW degree from Columbia University. I have over 20 years of experience working in direct care, treating but not limited to anxiety, depression, obsessive thinking (OCD), stress management, grief, trauma (including parentification trauma) PTSD, life transitions and relationship issues. I have experience in working in both outpatient and inpatient settings. My treatment approach is based on treating symptoms for individual needs.

I do in person therapy in our Topsfield office, easily accessible to clients in the North Shore area.

Charles Kim, LMHC - Individual Therapist

Life is difficult. Unless you are an old soul, choices surrounding identity, self worth and acceptance, relationships/finding connection, and career choice are often painful and confusing. Even in the best of circumstances and family support, we are left with well meaning advice and our own limited self-understanding to guide choices that will affect the next season of life. I have over a decade of experience in residential and college counseling settings helping clients to explore their past to understand the motivations and traumas that led then to where they are and what if anything they want to change going forward.

Clinically, I work with clients seeking to treat their depression, anxiety, relationship/career issues, and other areas of distress. I use a client centered, humanist/existential style to explore current distress while integrating behavioral interventions (TF-CBT, DBT) and classic insight oriented exploration. I offer a safe space to look at oneself gently.

I believe true spiritual/personal growth is demonstrated in learning how to treat ourselves the way we treat our friends and those we love. If you're looking for a space to grow that part of yourself or to begin treatment for a long ignored pain/injury, please reach out for a free 15 minute consultation. I wish you all the best.

Amanda Harting-McLaughlin, LCSW - Individual Therapist

Amanda is a Master ART Practitioner, Accelerated Resolution Therapy Assistant Trainer, and Licensed Clinical Social Worker, with a Masters of Social Work in Integrative Behavioral Healthcare from Salem State University. Amanda believes we all deserve a non judgmental safe space to process difficult and unmanageable times in our lives. Amanda's goal and mission is to help others achieve mental wellness through strengths based and person centered care approach.

Amanda’s niche specialty is Accelerated Resolution Therapy, a targeted treatment for rapid recovery using eye movements and image replacement to minimize emotional attachment to PTSD symptoms.

Themes include

ADHD
Addictions/ Smoking Cessation
Annoyances and triggers (couples counseling)
Anxiety/ Performance Anxiety
Betrayal trauma
Codependency
Depression
Dyslexia
Grief
Fear of Change
OCD body image
Pain
Strokes

Amanda has worked with many different populations from children and families, adolescents, parents, older adults, and geriatrics. Focuses of treatment include managing co-occurring dual diagnoses, collaborating with collateral contacts to manage co-morbidities, including anxiety, depression, LGBTQIA+, Bipolar disorders, Psychotic Disorders, Mood disorders, ADHD, PTSD, Trauma, Traumatic Grief, Betrayal Trauma, Eating Disorders, Self Esteem, Bullying, OCD, family systems, major life events / transitions, internal family conflicts, parent training, and anger management. Modalities include CBT, DBT, ART, biofeedback, gestalt, guided imagery, mindfulness and meditation, life skills, and a strengths based approach to achieve your mental health goals.

Katie Duggan, MS - Individual Therapist

As a dedicated mental health clinician with a focus on children and young adults, I am passionate about helping individuals navigate the intricate interplay between thoughts, emotions, and behaviors. With a foundation in cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) complemented by person-centered and psychoanalytic approaches, I strive to create a safe and supportive space where clients can feel heard and understood.

My therapeutic philosophy centers on the belief that therapy should be a collaborative journey, where individuals feel empowered to explore their innermost thoughts and emotions in a non-judgmental environment. I view therapy as an invaluable outlet for self-exploration and growth, guiding clients towards healthier ways of coping and living authentically.

I am committed to fostering a therapeutic relationship built on trust, empathy, and respect, as I firmly believe that every individual deserves to feel validated and supported on their path towards healing and self-discovery.

Deanna Maher, LCSW - Individual Therapist

Deanna earned her MSW from Bridgewater State University and undergraduate degree in psychology from Boston University. Having worked in a variety of settings including partial hospitalization programs, corrections, and crisis response, she has experience in supporting adults with a diverse range of needs including anxiety, trauma, mood disorders, and substance use. Deanna uses a trauma-informed approach with empathy and compassion to assist individuals in deepening understanding of their experiences and learning tools to enact change. Deanna uses a range of interventions best suited for each individual, including cognitive behavioral therapy, dialectical behavior therapy, and solution-focused treatments to assist clients.

Populations:

Adults (anyone 18+) and especially enjoy working with young adults. In terms of presenting issues/diagnoses I am most interested in symptoms related to trauma or anxiety. I also have experience with mood disorders and substance use disorders as well.

Anielle Iwanicki, LCSW - Individual Therapist
Harness Your Strength, Find Your Light Everyone carries within them a unique light—a source of energy and resilience that can help foster growth, even in life’s most challenging moments. But knowing where to begin isn’t always easy. If you’re feeling stuck, overwhelmed by anxiety or depression, or navigating a period of transition, I’m here to offer support with patience, empathy, and an open ear.
I bring a compassionate, person-centered approach to therapy, grounded in your strengths. My approach is particularly informed by my work with veterans and individuals with disabilities through equine-assisted therapy, as well as teaching children emotional resilience through adaptive learning programs with diverse populations and presentations.
Whether working with children, adolescents, or adults, I tailor my care to your needs, blending evidence-based modalities like Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Solution-Focused Therapy, and Mindfulness to help you move toward clarity and growth. If you’re ready to explore therapy in a space that honors your individuality, I’d be honored to walk alongside.

Catelin McCarriston, LCSW - Individual Therapist

Catelin McCarriston is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker. She holds a B.S. in Psychology, B.A. in Philosophy, and a Masters in Social Work from Simmons University. As a school social worker in the Greater Boston area, she provided one-on-one counseling for students and conducted groups around mindfulness and stress reduction as well as intersectionality and belonging with LGBTQ+ youth. Catelin also worked with The Home for Little Wanderers as a child and family therapist. She is currently the Director of Programming and Training at Minding Your Mind, a mental health education and suicide prevention non-profit. Catelin uses a strength-based perspective and trauma-informed lens to meet clients where they are, utilizing models of CBT, DBT, IFS, and Narrative Therapy. She is passionate about working with LGBTQ+ folks and those struggling with identity, life transitions, anxiety, depression, and trauma.

Our Group has clinicians with diverse clinical experience which includes working with: youth, adolescents, young adults, adults, couples, families, groups, and geriatric populations. We have have provided services on both an inpatient and outpatient level of care. Furthermore, we can conduct evaluations in regards to substance abuse and mental health for outside organizations and the judicial system.

Relationships

Emotions

Feelings

Thoughts