COMMUNITY FIRST THERAPY AND CONSULTING - Key Persons
Job Titles:
- Master of Social Work Intern
Anielle joined our team Sept 2023 as an MSW intern of the Social Work program at Westfield State University. She also earned her Bachelor's degrees in Social Work from Westfield State. Anielle has previous experience working with alzheimers and dementia residents and their families as a programming assistant in continuing care retirement communities. She has also worked with veterans and individuals with differently abled individuals utilizing equine therapy. She has the Horse Powered Reading certification, which focuses on teaching children how to read and ESL. She is also currently pursuing a certification with the Equine Assisted Growth and Learning Association (EGALA).
Anielle is looking forward to working with diverse populations, families, and adolescents to provide care that is tailored to each individual. She is able to provide a person-centered, strength-based approach to her therapy modalities. She is learning to provide several modalities of care, including but not limited to cognitive-behavioral therapy, solution-focused therapy, motivational interviewing, behavioral activation, and mindfulness.
Job Titles:
- Master of Social Work Intern
Breda joined our team Sept 2023 as an third year intern of the Social Work program at Westfield State University. She also earned her Bachelor's degrees in Applied Psychology from the University of Massachusetts-Amherst. Breda has worked for 10 years helping students at a local university in Massachusetts. She decided to pursue a career in social work to continue helping others across all areas of life. She has experience working with individuals with substance use concerns.
Breda is looking forward to working with diverse populations, families, couples, and adolescents to provide care that is tailored to each individual. She is able to provide a person-centered, strength-based approach to her therapy modalities. She is learning to provide several modalities of care, including but not limited to cognitive-behavioral therapy, solution-focused therapy, motivational interviewing, behavioral activation, and mindfulness.
Job Titles:
- Master of Social Work Intern
Deborah (she/her/hers) joined our team September 2023 as an MSW Intern in her third year of the clinical Social Work program at Simmons University. Deborah decided to pursue social work after working in theatre where she managed programs engaging with youth and families from a social justice perspective. Collaborating with social work professionals, community advocates, and people with lived experience, Deborah co-designed sensory friendly performances for individuals with anxiety and other sensory, social, and cognitive disabilities. She also co-designed trauma-informed "Art as Intervention" workshops for children and caregivers experiencing toxic stress, a nationally recognized transgender-inclusive initiative in children's theatre, and programs for adolescents utilizing youth media tools to tell their own stories.
As a student clinical social work practitioner, Deborah's core values are rooted in kindness, compassion, growth and humor. Deborah is excited to work with individuals, families, and adolescents providing therapy. She approaches client care from a strength-based and person-centered approach. She is learning to provide several modalities of care, including but not limited to cognitive-behavioral therapy, solution-focused therapy, motivational interviewing, behavioral activation, and mindfulness.
Job Titles:
- Independent Clinical Social Worker
- Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker
Elizabeth "Lizz" joined our team Sept 2021 first as an MSW intern, and upon graduation, she transitioned to a mental health therapist in June of 2022. She received her MSW in Clinical Social Work from Westfield State University and her bachelor's in Psychology from UMass Amherst in 2012. Lizz is a Licensed Certified Social Worker (LCSW) in Massachusetts.
Emily (she/her) joined our team as an intern in Sept 2020 and upon graduation transitioned to a Mental Health Therapist in August of 2021. Emily has a Master's in Clinical Social Work from Simmons University. She received her Bachelors degree in Government and Psychology from Suffolk University. Emily is a Licensed Certified Social Worker (LCSW). Emily has extensive experience serving the community. She currently is the Second Vice President of the Board of Directors at the Elizabeth Freeman Center, and serves as a mentor at the Berkshire County Kids Place and Violence Prevention Center.
Job Titles:
- Master of Social Work Intern
Emily (she/her/hers) joined our team January 2024 as an MSW Intern in her second year of the clinical Social Work program at Simmons University. Emily received her Bachelor's degree in Sociology with a minor in Spanish at Jacksonville University. During her undergraduate studies, she worked in local public schools as a mentor for adolescents, a position which helped her realize her interest in the social work field. She decided to pursue clinical social work because she is passionate about helping others to find fulfillment and peace within themselves to achieve their goals.
Emily looks forward to working with diverse populations, especially adolescents and young adults. She also has an interest in working with families and couples. She is currently learning to provide modalities of care with a strengths-based approach including but not limited to motivational interviewing, cognitive behavioral therapy, problem-solving therapy, and mindfulness.
Our staff is able to provide therapeutic interventions under the supervision of Dr. Charell McFarland, who is a Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker. Our interns may have lower and more flexible rates, compared to licensed staff, and may be able to treat individuals who have insurances the other providers in the practice are not able to accept for a low fee. Please contact the practice today for more information!
Jamie joined our team as an MSW intern in Sept 2021. She received her MSW in Clinical Social Work from Simmons College. Upon graduation July 2022, she was hired as a full time mental health therapist. In Sept 2023, she was promoted to Clinical Task Supervisor. She divides her time managing a case load of therapy clients, and providing supervision to our Master's level interns. She also received her Bachelor's in Anthropology and Sociology from Mt Holyoke College in 2016. Jamie has experience working in the fields of crisis management, foster care and family reunification, and counseling. Over the past 5 years she has worked in community based settings to support families and individuals through difficult stages in their lives.
Juana joins Community First Therapy and Consulting, LLC as our office manager. She holds a bachelor's degree in accounting from Northeastern University and a Masters of Divinity from Oral Roberts University. She has previously worked in accounting at various firms, and currently works as a pastor to a local congregation in Berkshire County.
Juana is diligent in making sure the office runs smoothly from an administrative perspective and assists with scheduling. Juana is instrumental in running day to day functions of the office, processes billing and claims, and manages our client satisfaction process and procedures. She also assists Dr. C with resolving client concerns, should any arise. If you have any questions, please contact the office.
Lila joined our team October of 2022 as a Mental Health Therapist. She received her MSW in Clinical Social Work from Westfield State University and her Bachelor of Arts in Geography from Clark University. Lila is a Licensed Certified Social Worker (LCSW) in Massachusetts. She has extensive experience working in community-based settings serving all ages, but specializes in working with adolescents (12 and older) and adults. Lila has worked with families, parents, teens and individuals treating a variety of concerns including but not limited to depression, anxiety, mood disorders such as bipolar, career/work concerns, adjustment, grief and loss, relationship conflict, parenting conflict, trauma/ptsd, and social justice concerns. Lila also has experience working with LGBTQIA+ populations.
Job Titles:
- Master of Social Work Intern
Matthew joined our team Sept 2023 as an MSW intern of the Social Work program at Simmons University. He earned his Bachelor's degrees in Philosophy and his Masters of English Literature from Central Connecticut State University. Matthew has previous experience working with students and their families in the field of education for 18 years. He has enjoyed working with youth, especially around fostering identity and positive sense of self. Matthew is pursuing social work because he believes it gets to the heart of who we are by examining individual challenges in an environmental context.
Matthew is looking forward to creating authentic relationships across a range of ages and identities as a basis for exploring strength, goals, and life-affirming strategies. He is able to provide a person-centered, strength-based approach to his therapy modalities. Matthew is learning to provide several modalities of care, including but not limited to cognitive-behavioral therapy, solution-focused therapy, motivational interviewing, behavioral activation, and mindfulness.
Job Titles:
- Master of Social Work Intern
Sandra joined our team Sept 2023 as an MSW intern of the Social Work program at Simmons University. She also earned her Bachelor's degrees in Psychology with a concentration in clinical mental health from Emmanuel College. Sandra has certificates from Cornell University in Women's Entrepreneurship and Educational Policy. She is also a licensed dental professional, yoga instructor, and a fashion-psychology coach at Sendiii.
Sandra has worked with various populations including children, high school students, college students, and older adults. She has experience addressing concerns with individuals experiencing intimate partner violence, depression, anxiety, grief and loss, and social justice as an area of concern. She also has experience working with those involved in the juvenile detention system.
She is able to provide a person-centered, strength-based approach to her therapy modalities. She is learning to provide several modalities of care, including but not limited to cognitive-behavioral therapy, solution-focused therapy, motivational interviewing, behavioral activation, and mindfulness.
Job Titles:
- Master of Social Work Intern
Tashina joined our team Sept 2023 as an MSW intern from the Social Work program at Simmons University. She also has earned her Masters of Clinical Psychology from the Michigan School of Psychology and Bachelor's degree in Early Childhood Education from Georgia Southern University. After working for a few years as a teacher, she pursued a career in psychology to help others in their journey towards mental health wellness. She is pursuing social work to blend her previous training with an emphasis on community advocacy and social justice.
She specializes in working with adults, couples, adolescents, and older adults. With a decade of experience in mental health, her areas of expertise include acceptance, anger management, anxiety, behavioral management, crisis care, diet/health behavior change, eating disorders, depression, grief, mood disorders, play therapy, family therapy, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), substance use recovery, self harm reduction and supporting clients to maintain safety while experiencing suicidal ideation. She has previously worked with active duty/ retired military members and their families, veterans, unhoused individuals, in community re-entry rehabilitation programs, partial hospitalization programs, crisis stabilization care, school and chapel settings, and virtual mental health and life coaching programs.
Tashina recognizes that certain approaches don't always work for everyone. As a result, it is her goal as a clinician and intern to work collaboratively with a client to utilize approaches and interventions that best serve the person sitting across from her. She utilizes a combination of approaches including but not limited to: Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT), Gestalt Therapy, Mindfulness, Motivational Interviewing, Solution Focused Brief Therapy (SFBT), and Trauma Informed Care. Her therapeutic approach is person-centered with deep roots in existential and humanistic theory, which means she ultimately wants to help her clients learn their purpose in life, appreciate their own uniqueness, and see the value that they bring to the world. She also can provide Christian Counseling to those seeking to merge their spirituality with evidence-based approaches.