Our therapists offer DBT / dialectical behavior therapy in Salem, MA

Stephen Medina is a Licensed Mental Health Counselor (LMHC) who has 7 years of experience providing care to children, adolescents, and adults struggling with depression, anxiety, trauma, and mood disorders. 

Stephen completed his Bachelor of Science (BS) in Psychology at Bridgewater State University and his Master of Science (MS) in Counseling at Salem State University. He utilizes a variety of approaches to best provide a tailored approach to therapy for his clients. Whether providing and utilizing strength based, cognitive behavioral, or mindfulness techniques, Stephen will provide his clients with a positive and personalized therapy experience.

Stephen would like to work with you, in order to provide assistance in developing your strengths so you can confidently achieve your goals and live the life you deserve.

Catherine Patten is a Licensed Mental Health Counselor (LMHC) with over 12 years of professional experience helping teens, adults, and seniors to work through their anxiety, depression, anger, borderline personality disorder (BPD), poor coping skills, anxiety, dysfunctional relationships, low self-esteem, and more. 

Her past experience includes working in a mental health outreach program with individuals who struggle with chronic mental health issues. Catherine has also provided short-term therapy to individuals while working in this capacity. Catherine understands the importance of striving to understand each individual’s unique life story and how best to support him/her to achieve his/her goals. She's found schema therapy to be effective in working with many individuals across many walks of life.

Catherine enjoys using a strengths-based view with many clients, in which they can separate who they are from the challenges they have been through in their lives. She also uses motivational interviewing, cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), and dialectal behavioral therapy (DBT) at times to elicit goals and self-discovery.

Catherine is here to help you work through the past trauma and any associated negative self-dialogue that is often the result and part of what can cause clients to feel stuck. She's am here to listen, learn, and truly understand where you have been, where you are, and where you would like to be. Catherine believes it is an honor to be able to share in someone’s story and be able to offer support.

Sarah Murphy is a Resident Licensed Mental Health Counselor with 2 years of experience working in community mental health and partial hospitalization programs. She focuses on collaborative work with children and their caretakers. Sarah enjoys working with young adults with anxiety, depression, and neurodivergence. She also enjoys utilizing the arts in the therapeutic space, especially visual art.

Sarah received her Master's in Mental Health Counseling with a specialization in Art Therapy at Lesley University. She uses multiple approaches to help clients and tailors approaches to fit client needs, including but not limited to cognitive behavioral therapy, expressive arts therapy, dialectical behavior therapy, and mindfulness-based techniques.

Sarah believes in the potential of each individual and promises to meet them where they are and collaborate to help them find their strengths. If you are interested in learning more, schedule an appointment with Sarah today!

Marissa Cusick is a Licensed Mental Health Counselor with 3 years of experience. She has worked with adolescents and adults in public schools, shelter programs, and outpatient mental health clinics. Marissa excels in helping individuals with concerns including ADHD, anxiety, bipolar disorder, depression, domestic abuse, homelessness, low self-esteem, relationship issues, and trauma. Marissa helps her clients learn from their past experiences and find relief through understanding, awareness, and behavior change. She uses compassion, humor, and empowerment to help clients feel more comfortable being vulnerable and expressive.

Marissa has a Master’s in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from Regis College. She uses a blend of acceptance and commitment therapy, cognitive behavioral therapy, dialectical behavioral therapy, motivational interviewing, and person-centered therapy to meet clients’ unique needs.

Marissa is passionate about helping others and understands that beginning therapy can be scary. She strives to make each session feel organic and a place where clients can vent, reflect, and relax. Reach out to schedule an appointment with Marissa today!

Karen Lenahan is a Licensed Mental Health Counselor with 10 years of experience. She specializes in helping those struggling with trauma, anxiety, depression, multicultural awareness, and crisis. Karen has always been enthralled by the enigmatic intricacies of the human mind and the emotions that define our experiences. Her unwavering aspiration to compassionately guide and support others is what set her on the path toward a career in therapy. Karen empowers clients to cultivate resilience, self-awareness, and hope on their path to healing by bringing a relaxed sense of compassion, empathy, and humor to the therapy session.

Karen has a Master’s in Clinical Psychology from Lesley University. She tailors treatment to meet individual needs and concerns and uses approaches including cognitive behavioral therapy, dialectical behavior therapy, reality therapy, positive psychology, motivational interviewing, and mindfulness-based techniques.

Karen understands the importance of mental health and is committed to providing a safe and supportive space for her clients. She believes in the power of open communication and is here to help you on your journey towards mental well-being.

I am a Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner with 3 years of experience and over a decade as a registered nurse across diverse healthcare settings. I support clients managing anxiety, depression, bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, and substance use disorders. My approach is empathetic and person-centered, focusing on helping clients achieve their goals through medication management, therapeutic support, and lifestyle interventions that promote long-term emotional well-being.

I earned my Master’s in Nursing from Regis College and transitioned fully into mental health practice. I integrate evidence-based approaches and psychoeducation to ensure clients are informed and active participants in their treatment decisions, creating collaborative plans that honor their unique experiences and values.

I strive to create a safe, compassionate space where clients feel seen, heard, and supported throughout their healing journey. Whether you are facing daily stressors or navigating complex mental health challenges, I am here to walk beside you as we work together toward stability, growth, and lasting wellness.

Lisa Umanita is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker with 25 years of experience in this field. She is a passionate and compassionate practitioner. She has had the privilege to work with a diverse population struggling with mental health issues, working with individuals from 20-90 years old and assisting them to overcome their unique challenges and obtain their realistic goals towards wellness. Lisa specializes in anxiety, depression, transitional stressors and adjustments, loss, LGBT, relational issues, and stress management.

Lisa completed her master's degree at Boston University. Throughout her career, she has had an insatiable desire to continue learning to find what she feels is the most efficient and highly effective modalities of therapy. Lisa utilizes CBT, REBT, schema therapy, positive therapy, and strengths perspective therapy.

Everyone deserves to be happy; everyone experiences challenges. Lisa is highly capable of assisting you through your journey. Allow her the privilege of guiding you in creating effective coping strategies and gaining new insight into old inefficient patterns.

Celine De Santis is a Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker (LICSW) who has been practicing in the field of mental health for over 30 years. Her clientele includes both children, teens, and adults who are suffering from the negative effects of chronic stress, anxiety disorders, depression, ADHD, PTSD, phobias, grief, bereavement, and more.

Celine earned her Master's degree in Social Work from Simmons University. Her treatment focuses on individual, family, group, and play therapy approaches. She began her work as a mental health professional in addiction treatment, which she discovered was an excellent segue way into other behavioral health disorders. Post-traumatic stress, major depression, and mood dis-regulation are often present with both the identified client as well as their family members and are issues Celine is particularly adept at helping to manage or resolve.

Celine is available to listen and help work through any barriers that are keeping her clients from experiencing the quality of life they're seeking. As an experienced individual and family therapist, she also respects and recognizes the vulnerability and the strength of taking that first step toward positive change.