As a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) at Nourished Minds Counseling + Wellness, I specialize in treating adolescents and adults struggling with anxiety, depression, trauma, eating disorders, and OCD. I am a certified yoga teacher and yoga therapist, and often infuse this background into my clinical work to help clients befriend their body and regulate their nervous system. My approach incorporates Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), and Internal Family Systems (IFS), and Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP). Most importantly, however, we focus on building trust and connection, and then personalize the therapy based on what will best serve the client’s goals. I strive to be a collaborative and interactive therapist, co-creating an engaging and dynamic atmosphere in sessions.

I received my Master of Social Work (MSW) from Simmons University. Prior to joining Nourished Minds, I worked at the Simmons College Counseling Center, where I provided individual therapy to undergraduate students. I deeply appreciate the experience I gained working with students to build their toolbox of coping skills to navigate through anxiety, depression, eating disorders, self-harm, relationship challenges, trauma, chronic pain, and identity development.

My decade of experience as a yoga teacher and yoga therapist helps me appreciate the complicated relationship we can have with our bodies. I have taught therapeutic yoga at several Boston-area eating disorder treatment programs. I often work with clients who have not necessarily had a positive relationship with yoga, mindfulness, or movement, and love the challenge of taking creative approaches to help improve the mind-body relationship. I am a member of the Multi-Service Eating Disorders Association (MEDA), the International Association of Yoga Therapists (IAYT), and the National Association of Social Workers (NASW).

I work with clients across the spectrum of gender identity and sexual orientation. I love supporting clients who are navigating polyamory and nonmonogamy. An understanding of the role that structural oppression plays in our mental health is infused in my clinical work, along with anti-racist education and practice. Prior to working directly with clients, I worked in the nonprofit sector, focused on social justice and policy change. This dedication to shifting systems and organizations continues to drive how I show up in the world, working towards long-term cultural change where everyone has access to greater health and wellbeing.

allison.blessen@gmail.com

As a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) at Nourished Minds Counseling + Wellness, I specialize in treating adolescents and adults struggling with eating disorders, complex trauma, substance abuse, anxiety, depression, OCD and personality disorders.

My clinical approach flexibly incorporates Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT), Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Internal Family Systems (IFS), and Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP). I enjoy working with clients to meet their goals with curiosity, compassion and humor.

I received my Master of Social Work (MSW) from Boston College. Prior to joining Nourished Minds, I worked at Monte Nido Laurel Hill, a residential eating disorder facility, where I provided individual, group and family therapy to clients recovering from eating disorders. During my time as a therapist, I gained experience working with clients as they developed insight and coping skills to navigate eating disorders, self-harm, dissociation, suicidality, substance abuse, complex trauma, intimate partner violence, OCD, as well as identity development.

Prior to this work, I spent a year as a primary and group therapist for Right Turn, a program for individuals struggling with substance abuse. During graduate school, I worked as a recovery coach, providing behavioral interventions and nutrition exposures for individuals with eating disorders. I am dedicated to continued professional development and am a member of The National Association of Social Workers (NASW).

As a member of the LGBTQIA+ community, I particularly enjoy working with young adults as they navigate their experience and expression of gender and sexuality. I am a sex-positive and kink-allied therapist. I am dedicated to continued anti-racist education and the use of knowledge of systems of oppression and their impact on individual and community health in my clinical practice and life. I feel grateful for the opportunity to build relationships and work alongside my clients as they identify values-based behaviors and strategies to create the life they want for themselves.

I am a licensed independent clinical social worker (LICSW) and a certified eating disorders specialist-supervisor (CEDS-S) with two decades of experience treating individuals and families with a wide range of diagnoses. I work with individuals who struggle with eating disorders, OCD., anxiety disorders, and trauma. I incorporate treatment modalities such as CBT, DBT, ERP and IFS. I am also the founder and owner of a group practice, Nourished Minds Counseling + Wellness.

I am licensed in Massachusetts, New York, and North Carolina.

My approach combines cognitive-behavioral and dialectical behavioral techniques, meaning that we will look at patterns of thinking and habits in behaviors that may be maintaining negative mood states or problematic situations. My therapeutic style is collaborative, open and interpersonal, meaning we work together to address problems and feedback runs both directions. I strive to meet patients where they are at and personalize treatment whether you are new to therapy or not, wanting help w/ a specific concern or struggling to identify what that is, or ready to share versus a little unsure.

Greetings!! I’ve been working in the field of disordered eating for over 25 years and am constantly inspired by the work my clients are able to do to restore, recover and discover more fulfilling lives. I primarily use EMDR, IFS and body- based skills to help my clients get to the source of suffering and clear out old beliefs and behaviors that no longer serve. Together we will look at what’s not working and also what IS working in your life and make that part stronger!

I specialize in helping people who are struggling with disordered eating/eating disorders, self-esteem, and trauma. I utilize a variety of evidence-based modalities to better understand yourself, un-learn old ways of being, and develop the capacity to manage all that life brings.

As a Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker and Staff Psychotherapist at Nourished Minds: Counseling + Wellness, I specialize in working with adolescents and adults who are struggling with anxiety, OCD and/or eating disorders. I particularly enjoy supporting young people as they grapple through the transition to adulthood and the related issues that arise including identity, relationship and conflict navigation.

I believe that my clients are experts in their own experiences, and I feel privileged to be allowed into their lives. I strive to create a warm, safe and non-judgmental space for my clients, in which I bring curiosity and compassion to every session. I empower my clients to identify their own goals and collaborate with them to help develop individualized action-oriented treatment plans to improve the quality of their lives. I identify as an ally to the BIPOC, LGBTQIA+, and disability communities and value working across the spectrums of gender, race, sexuality, and class.

Prior to joining Nourished Minds, I earned a Master of Social Work from Boston College and have spent the last several years working on inpatient and partial programs at McLean Hospital, where I worked with clients in acute crises, across a wide range of life stages, diagnoses and identities. I graduated as a Fellow at the Boston Psychoanalytic Society and Institute, training in psychoanalytic psychotherapy in 2023. I utilize ERP, ACT and CBT to treat the majority of my clients, but am also certified in DBT (Dialectical Behavioral Therapy) and integrate elements of IFS into my work. I am also a member of the National Association of Social Workers, where I engage in ongoing professional development.

My clinical experiences have been enriched by living and working in several different countries. Prior to focusing on psychotherapy, I helped develop social impact small businesses in Kigali, Rwanda, and was involved in starting a non-profit organization in Nairobi, Kenya, funding female education.

I am a board-certified Psychiatric/Mental Health Nurse Practitioner who is dedicated to educating and empowering clients with mental health concerns to regain control of their lives.

My practice ideology is centered on building a collaborative relationship with the client, where my role is to guide and support clients in making informed decisions about their health by performing comprehensive evaluations, providing medication management, and offering guidance regarding adjunct therapies to support optimal health and wellness.

I am passionate about my work as a psychiatric nurse practitioner in Massachusetts. I have experience working in various treatment settings across a continuum of care with an expertise in eating disorders. I also have a diverse background in researching the role of biochemical, nutritional, and metabolic abnormalities in the role of mental health treatment and recovery.

In addition to supporting clients at Nourished Minds, I currently work as a Nurse Practitioner at Walden Behavioral Care’s Residential program where I treat clients with eating disorders and complex psychiatric comorbidities. I am humbled to be a part of my clients’ journey to improving their quality of life, free from barriers imposed by their mental health symptoms.