CLinical team
Central Mass Counseling & Wellness was founded by Lauren Griff. Also known by her nick name, Loni has over 20 years experience helping children, adolescents, adults and families. Our clinical team is growing!
*Please click on the photos below to learn more about our clinicians
Lauren Griff
I earned my undergraduate and graduate degrees at Anna Maria College. First earning my Masters in Counseling Psychology in 2005. I went on to obtain my CAGS in Counseling Psychology and I currently hold a LADC I, Licensed Alcohol and Drug Counselor I & am a Licensed Mental Health Counselor. I have worked in a variety of settings with all ages, including inpatient adult mental health, inpatient children’s mental health, outpatient, long term residential and community based living. My expertise is in trauma, behavioral and anxiety related work. I pride myself on out of the box thinking for every patient I am working with to try and create the best possible avenues for empathic healing.
License(s): LADC I, LMHC (pending)
Specialties: CBT, Mindfulness, motivational interviewing, trauma informed care
Lauren Griff, LADC, LMHC
Owner/Founder
Patti Ellis
I received my BA in Psychology from Fitchburg State in 2005 before heading to Assumption College, where I received my Master’s in Counseling in 2007. I graduated with concentrations in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and Child & Family Therapy. I’ve worked in a variety of settings, including residential, outpatient, community based, and in-home. My areas of clinical interest include adolescent mental health, anxiety and depressive disorders, and DCF involved youth.
I believe that therapy doesn’t have to be scary or overwhelming – especially when you’re young. I try to create a relationship with my clients that is safe, honest, and fun in order to be supportive during tough times. I use my training in different modalities to create an individualized approach that meets you where you’re at so you can make positive changes in your life.
License(s): LMHC
Specialties: Children, Adolescents, and Young Adults, CBT, Trauma Informed Care, ARC
Payment: Self-pay
Patti Ellis, LMHC
Kelly Smith
I earned my graduate degree at Southern New Hampshire University in 2017 in counseling psychology with a concentration of child and adolescent development. I currently hold a LADC I, Licensed Alcohol and Drug Counselor I. I have worked in a variety of settings with all ages including in home therapy with children and families, substance use in an outpatient setting and with adults with developmental disabilities. My expertise is in; adult substance use, dual diagnosis, and mental health (depression, anxiety, PTSD, and ADHD) with both children and adults.
“The kindest thing you can do for someone else is listen without forming an opinion.”
-Pari Deschene
License(s): LADC I
Specialties: CBT, DBT, addiction (substance or behavior), Trauma, LGBTQ+
Kelly Smith, LADC I
Miranda Hill
I received my BS in Human Development and Family Studies in 2013 from Colorado State University and I graduated in 2016 with my Master of Social Work from Wheelock College. I currently hold a Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker (LICSW) license as well as a School Social Worker/School Adjustment Counselor license. I have worked in a variety of settings with a diverse population including those experiencing depression, anxiety, substance use, foster care, adoption, grief/loss, trauma, poverty, homelessness, and incarceration. I work with children, adolescents, adults, couples and families. My goal is to provide a therapeutic setting where we can work together to utilize your own individual strengths to reach your goals and to learn how to cope with the stressors in your life.
License(s): LICSW, School Social Worker/School Adjustment Counselor
Specialties: Children, Adolescents, Adults, Couples, Families, CBT, Trauma, Foster Care, Adoption, Substance Use, Depression, Anxiety
Payment: Self-Pay
Miranda Hill, LICSW
Laura Gosselin
I completed a Bachelor’s in Psychology with a minor in Criminal Justice from Fitchburg State University in 2009. I graduated with a Master’s in Counseling Psychology in 2012 from Framingham State University. Since that time, I have worked in outpatient settings, methadone treatment, residential programs and incarcerated individuals. I am passionate about working with individuals struggling with trauma, legal issues, suicidal ideations/self-injurious behaviors, anxiety and depression. I believe whole heartedly in viewing each individual as a whole person and strive to cater my treatment approach to each unique individual. Similarly, I believe that creating a strong working relationship with each individual lends to the most meaningful opportunities for change. I thrive to create a warm and supportive space for each individual that I have the opportunity to work with and implement strategies based in positive psychology, motivational interviewing, cognitive behavioral therapy and acceptance and commitment therapy.
License: LMHC
Certification: CCTP (Certified Clinical Trauma Professional)
Specialties: Adults, Forensic, Trauma, Motivational Interviewing, Positive Psychology, CBT, Self-Injury, ACT
Laura Gosselin, LMHC
Sara Underwood
I earned my Masters degree from Northcentral University specializing in forensics psychology. I have worked in a variety of settings for mental health and substance abuse, including detox and css, dual treatment facilities, incarcerated populations, families, couples and adolescence. I also hold a certification in Art therapy. I am well versed in mindful practices including cognitive behavioral therapy, dialectical behavioral therapy. With practices in meditation, progressive muscle relaxation, and singing bowls. I love diving deep and thinking outside the box with all ages, to help assist and support in the clients therapeutic journey.
Specialties: Substance Abuse, Art Therapy, Couples, Families
Sara Underwood, LADC-1
Cara Colavito
I earned my undergraduate degree in Psychology from Suffolk University in 2011 and my Master’s degree in Social Work from Fordham University in 2015. I currently hold my LICSW and have worked as a Clinician, Supervisor, and Director over my years in the field. I have experience working with children, adolescents, adults, families, and couples in a variety of settings including in home therapy, inpatient hospitals, group living environments, and outpatient settings. My hope is to partner with clients to build a therapeutic relationship based on trust, transparency, and always being trauma informed. My style is integrative, meaning I pull from many different treatment modalities, but some examples of what I use include Narrative Therapy, CBT, Structural and Strategic Family Therapy, Existential Therapy, and Motivational Interviewing.
“Our wounds are often openings into the best and most beautiful part of us” -David Richo. I share my favorite quote to remind us that some starting therapy feel defeated, scared, angry, or confused. Some may feel excited, hopeful, or motivated. Whatever combination of emotions you may be feeling, my intent is to meet you where you are and walk beside you through this process.
Specialties: Narrative Therapy, CBT, Structural and Strategic Family Therapy, Existential Therapy, and Motivational Interviewing
Cara Colavito, LICSW
Kim Hager
I earned a Bachelor’s degree in sociology and English from Assumption University in 2006 and a Master’s in social work with a concentration in children, youth, and families from Boston College in 2010. I am a Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker (LICSW) in Massachusetts, and I have 17 years of professional work experience and 10 years of supervisory experience. I am trained in Attachment Regulation Competency (ARC) and Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT). I am passionate about working with individuals and families struggling with trauma, grief/loss, medical complexity, foster care/adoption, and anxiety. I strive to provide a safe, supportive, and nonjudgmental environment and to build strong therapeutic rapport with everyone with whom I am privileged to work. I offer a strength-based approach, along with evidence-based practices such as cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT), and narrative therapy, to promote client growth, healing, and empowerment.
License: LICSW
Specialties: Children, Adolescents, Adults, Families, Grief/Loss, Trauma, Foster Care, Adoption, Medical Complexity, Anxiety, Depression
Kim Hager, LICSW
Nicole Gagne
I received my BA in Psychology from the University of Massachusetts Lowell in 1992. I completed my master’s degree in counseling psychology at Assumption College in 1995 and a certificate of advanced graduate studies (CAGS) in 2018. My concentration is in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and Child & Family Therapy.
I am a Licensed Mental Health Counselor and have extensive experience working in mental health for the last 30 years. I have experience working with children, adolescents, adults, and families in a variety of settings including in-home therapy, inpatient hospitals, residential settings, and outpatient settings. My areas of clinical interest include adolescent mental health, ADHD, anxiety and depressive disorders, and bi-polar disorder.
I believe that therapy is a partnership between the individual and clinician working together towards a stated goal. My job is to teach you tools to move towards your goal and support you on the journey.
Nicole Gagne, LMHC
Joan Moylan
I completed my master’s degree in 1992 from Anna Maria College with a degree in Counseling Psychology. In 1994 I was certified in Family System Therapy from Cambridge Family Institute. Since this time, I have worked in community mental health, adolescent residential programs, and in 2010 I maintained a private practice for 10 years. During this time, my focus of treatment was utilizing Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Family System Therapy, and Behavioral Therapy.
I am a Licensed Mental Health Counselor with 30+ years of experience. I was recently trained in Attachment, Regulation, Competency (ARC) Therapy in 2020. I was also trained in Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT) in 2023. My areas of clinical interest include adolescent mental health, Family therapy, DBT, Depression and Anxiety disorders.
In collaboration with you, I will guide you through the development of adaptive coping skills related to current needs in hopes of this moving you closer toward your goals.
License: LMHC
Specialties: Children, Adolescents, Adults, Families, Anxiety, Depression, DBT, ARC, and Mindfulness.
Joan Moylan, LMHC
Stephanie Sawyer
I received my BA in Psychology with honors distinction from Becker College in 2005, and graduated with my Master’s in Mental Health Counseling from Bay Path University in 2015.
I am a licensed mental health counselor, 300 hr trained Yoga Instructor and have experience working in the mental health/human service field since 2005. I have worked with individuals as young as 5 years old to 104 years. I have experience working as a mentor, support worker, In home therapist, Care coordinator, emergency service clinician, homelessness, Crisis Stabilization and Respite services. My trainings include EMDR, TF-CBT, ARC, MI, DBT and Yoga for trauma and Mindfulness. I specialize in depressive disorders, anxiety, trauma, grief and infertility, and supervision for licensure hours. I am in the process of obtaining my Certification for Supervision.
“There is hope, even when your brain tells you there isn’t”. ~John Green
Stephanie Sawyer, LMHC
Niss Wrightson
Bio coming soon!
Niss Wrightson, LADC-1
Tania Elhoussan
I received both my undergraduate and graduate degree from Assumption University. I attained my BA in 2020 specializing in human services and later received my Masters in rehabilitation counseling. I have worked in different settings including youth and family behavioral health services, outpatient treatment, detox/Clinical Stabilization, and community outreach treatment working with the homeless population. My areas of interest include substance use, co-occurring disorders, anxiety, PTSD, and couples counseling. I am well versed in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Motivational Interviewing, and Mindfulness-Based Counseling.
Throughout all my years of working in this field, my number one goal has always been to create a safe and non judgmental space that allows individuals to feel heard, at peace, and able to freely communicate their needs. I also strive to break the stigma surrounding therapy and hope to educate individuals that seeking therapy does not equal weakness. It equals strength.
License: LADC-1
Tania Elhoussan, LADC-1
Please ask us about our Medication management services
Our mission is to support children, adults and their families who suffer with a variety of behavioral health concerns through compassionate therapy & wellness programs.
GET THE SUPPORT YOU NEED
INDIVIDUAL THERAPY
We work one on one with you to meet your goals & help on your journey.
GROUP
THERAPY
Develop self-awareness by listening to others with similar issues.
COUPLES
THERAPY
Work to create better understanding with your partner.
FAMILY
THERAPY
Develop healthy boundaries & improve family communication.