Mental Health Therapists
Anielle Iwanicki MSW, LCSW
Mental Health Therapist
Anielle joined our team Sept 2023 as an MSW Intern and was hired upon graduating from Westfield State University with a Masters of Social Work. She also earned her Bachelor’s degrees in Social Work from Westfield State University as well. Anielle is a Licensed Certified Social Worker (LCSW) in the state of Massachusetts.
She has previous experience as a therapist, supporting individuals experiencing cognitive impairment within a continuing care retirement community, and supporting veterans and differently-abled persons utilizing equine therapy. Anielle is certified in Horse Powered Reading, which focuses on teaching children how to read and ESL. She is also pursing a certification with the Equine Assisted Growth and Learning Association (EGALA).
Anielle has experience working with diverse populations, families, couples, and adolescents and provides care that is tailored to each individual. She is able to provide a person-centered, strength-based approach to her therapy modalities. She utilizes several modalities of care, including but not limited to Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy, Solution-Focused Therapy, Motivational Interviewing, Behavioral Activation, 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.
Breda Paton, MSW
Mental Health Therapist
Breda joined our team Sept 2023 as an MSW Intern and was hired upon graduating from Westfield State University with a Masters of Social Work. 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 has experience 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 utilizes several modalities of care, including but not limited to Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy, Solution-Focused Therapy, Gottman Method for couples therapy, Motivational Interviewing, Behavioral Activation, 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.
Danshanique Adkins, MSW, LCSW
Mental Health Therapist
Danshanique joined our team September 2022 as an MSW Intern and was hired upon graduating from Simmons University with a Masters of Social Work. She received her bachelor’s in Sociology from Georgia Southern University. Danshanique has experience working with individuals with developmental disabilities and youth involved in the juvenile justice system. She has decided to pursue a career in social work to focus on family, individual, and adolescent counseling. Danshanique enjoys helping others in a variety of ways, and believes that social work, being very broad, encompasses everything she is passionate about—from advocating to community work. Danshanique is a Licensed Certified Social Worker (LCSW) in the state of Massachusetts.
Danshanique has worked with individuals, families, and adolescents providing therapy and support. She approaches client care from a strength-based and person-centered approach. She is able to provide several modalities of care, including cognitive-behavioral therapy, solution-focused therapy, motivational interviewing, behavioral activation, 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!
Deborah Girdwood, MSW, LCSW
Mental Health Therapist
Deborah (she/her/hers) joined our team September 2023 as an MSW Intern of the clinical Social Work program at Simmons University and was hired as a Mental Health Therapist upon graduation. 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. Deborah is a Licensed Certified Social Worker (LCSW) in the state of Massachusetts.
Deborah's core values are rooted in kindness, compassion, growth and humor. Deborah has experience supporting individuals, families, and adolescents in a therapeutic environment. She approaches client care from a strength-based and person-centered approach. She utilizes several modalities of care, including but not limited to cognitive-behavioral therapy, solution-focused therapy, motivational interviewing, behavioral activation, the Gottman-method to couples 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. Please contact the practice today for more information!
Elizabeth Rhodes, MSW, LCSW
Mental Health Therapist
Elizabeth "Lizz" joined our team Sept 2021 first as an MSW intern, and upon graduation. She received her Masters of Social Work with a concentration in Clinical Social Work from Westfield State University and her bachelor's in Psychology from UMass Amherst. Lizz is a Licensed Certified Social Worker (LCSW) in Massachusetts.
Lizz has extensive experience in the area of domestic and sexual violence advocacy. Over the past 10+ years she has worked in courts, with police, on crisis helplines, in schools and in other community-based settings. Prior to joining our team, she worked as a supervisor and advocate at the YWCA Central Massachusetts providing counseling to survivors and domestic violence education to the local community.
Lizz pursued social work education because it promotes social justice and highlights environmental factors that affect individual and collective health. She has therapeutic experience working with individuals, couples, and families with issues such as intimate partner violence, depression, anxiety, post-traumatic stress, emotional dysregulation, marital separation or divorce, couples counseling, and grief and loss. Lizz has experience utilizing techniques that include mindfulness, CBT, DBT, ACT, and person-centered therapy. Lizz provides virtual-only appointments.
Our staff is able to provide therapeutic interventions under the supervision of Dr. Charell McFarland, who is a Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker. Please contact the practice today for more information!
Emily Borsody, MSW, LCSW
Mental Health Therapist
Emily (she/her) joined our team as an intern in November 2020 and was hired as a Mental Health Therapist upon graduation. 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. Emily has extensive experience serving the community. Most recently, she served for six years as the Second Vice President of the Board of Directors at the Elizabeth Freeman Center. She has also served as a mentor at the Berkshire County Kids Place and Violence Prevention Center.
She is drawn to social work because of the focus on advocacy, social justice, and anti-oppression. She has experience working with individuals and groups across the lifespan from young children to older adults. Emily has experience supporting individuals, adolescents/youth, couples, and families through issues such as depression, anxiety, emotional regulation, marital separation or divorce, couples counseling, and parenting. Emily uses a strength-based, person-centered approach and her practice is influenced by systems theory, attachment theory, feminist theory, and critical race theory. She is able to provide numerous therapeutic modalities based on the client's needs and goals such as CBT, DBT, Mindfulness, Motivational Interviewing, Behavioral Activation, ACT, and Solution Focused Therapy.
Our staff is able to provide therapeutic interventions under the supervision of Dr. Charell McFarland, who is a Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker.
Erin Knowles, MSW, LCSW
Mental Health Therapist
Erin joined our team Sept 2022 as an MSW Intern and was hired upon graduating from Simmons University with a Masters of Social Work. After receiving Bachelor’s degrees in Psychology and Sociology from Columbia College, she entered an inclusion and diversity-centered career in narrative design in the Video Games Industry. Realizing all fields would benefit for better anti-oppressive practices, she has turned her focus to strength-based mental health care and support. Erin is a Licensed Certified Social Worker (LCSW) in the state of Massachusetts.
As a biracial intern clinician (Mvskoke Creek/white), she’s interested in person-in-environment intersectionality, social and environmental justice, and evidence-based, individually-tuned interventions. Erin has experience working with diverse populations on issues centered around social justice. She is able to provide a person-centered, strength-based approach to her therapy modalities.
Erin has worked with individuals, families, couples, and adolescents providing therapy and support. She approaches client care from a strength-based and person-centered approach. She is able to provide several modalities of care, including cognitive-behavioral therapy, solution-focused therapy, emotionally-focused therapy, ACT, couples therapy using the Gottman-Method and other evidenced-based approaches, motivational interviewing, behavioral activation, 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.
Lila Pope, MSW, LCSW
Mental Health Therapist
Matthew Kirshman, MSW, LCSW
Mental Health Therapist
Matthew joined our team Sept 2023 as an MSW intern of the Social Work program at Simmons University and was hired as a Mental Health Therapist upon graduation. 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 a Licensed Certified Social Worker (LCSW) in the state of Massachusetts.
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, emotionally-focused therapy, Gottman-method couples therapy, and mindfulness.
Monika Munezero, MSW, LCSW
Mental Health Therapist
Sandra Teixeira, MSW, LCSW
Mental Health Therapist
Sandra joined our team in September 2023 as an MSW intern of the Social Work program at Simmons University and was hired as a Mental Health Therapist upon graduation. 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. Sandrais a Licensed Certified Social Worker (LCSW) in the state of Massachusetts.
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 able to provide several modalities of care, including but not limited to cognitive-behavioral therapy, solution-focused therapy, motivational interviewing, behavioral activation, and mindfulness.
Tashina Webster, MA Psychology, MSW, LCSW
Mental Health Therapist
Tashina joined our team Sept 2023 as an MSW intern from the Social Work program at Simmons University and was hired as a Mental Health Therapist upon graduation. 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. Tashina is a Licensed Certified Social Worker (LCSW) in the state of Massachusetts.
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), Gottman-Method for couples, 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.
MASTER OF SOCIAL WORK INTERNS
Bethany Beauregard
Master of Social Work Intern
Bethany joined our team January 2025 as an MSW Intern from the clinical Social Work program at Simmons University. Bethany received her Bachelor's degree from Gordon College. Bethany has previously worked as a substance use counselor and decided to pursue clinical social work because she is passionate about helping others to find fulfillment and peace within themselves to achieve their goals.
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!
Terrez Ford
Master of Social Work Intern Terrez joined our team January 2025 as an MSW Intern from the clinical Social Work program at Simmons University. Terrez received her Bachelor's degree in Communication Studies with a concentration in Policy, Regulation and Advocacy from Temple University. She decided to pursue clinical social work because she is committed to supporting and and empowering individuals to achieve a healthier lifestyle. She decided to pursue a career in social work to help other improve their quality of life and the enhancement of human wellbeing.
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!
Yael Behar
Master of Social Work Intern
Yael joined our team Sept 2024 as an MSW intern from the Social Work program at Simmons University. Yael is empathetic and understands that therapy is not one size fits all.
Yael has experience working with diverse populations and has clinical interest in topics such as trauma and PTSD, religious conflict and trauma, and intergenerational trauma. Yael also can support individuals experiencing depression, anxiety, mood disorders, adjustment, grief and loss and more.
Yael aims to work collaboratively with a clients to utilize person-centered and evidenced-based approaches. She utilizes a combination of approaches including but not limited to: Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Mindfulness, Motivational Interviewing, Solution Focused Brief Therapy (SFBT), Behavioral Activation, and Trauma Informed Care.
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!
EXECUTIVE and ADMINISTRATIVE STAFF/ Interns
Dr. Charell McFarland, DSW, LICSW, LCSW-C
CEO, Owner
Dr. C is the founder and owner of Community First Therapy and Consulting, LLC. She is Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker in the state of Massachusetts (LICSW), Licensed Certified Social Worker-Clinical (LCSW-C) in the state of Maryland, and a Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker - Interim Telehealth Registration in the state of Vermont. She graduated from the University of Massachusetts- Boston with a BA in Psychology, from Howard University with a Masters of Social Work, and also has earned a Doctorate of Social Work from Capella University. In the past, she has served as the Geriatric Social Worker on the Maryland State Board of Examiners of Nursing Home Administrators. She specializes in working with a variety of persons from adults and couples, to adolescents and seniors. With over a decade of experience in health care and mental health, her area of expertise includes, but is not limited to depression, mood disorders, anxiety, behavioral management, PTSD and intimate partner violence, grief and loss, family therapy, couples therapy, and aging related concerns. Dr. C has experience working with individuals surrounding concerns with racial, ethnic, and gender disparities.
As a Clinical Social Worker, she uses a strength-based approach, and believe that everyone brings strengths to the table that can help improve one's quality of life through a relationship-based, collaborative and client-directed approach. Some theoretical perspectives she uses include Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Gestalt Therapy, Mindfulness, Behavioral Activation, Motivational Interviewing, Solution Focused Therapy, Trauma informed CBT, and Problem Solving Therapy. She also provides Christian Counseling to those looking to merge spirituality with evidenced based approaches.
She has over 10 combined years of experience working with individuals with mental health concerns, terminally ill persons, older adults residing within a continuing care retirement community, unhoused individuals and families. Dr. C also has experience working with community re-entry rehabilitation programs, employment assistance programs, providing supervision and consultation to nursing homes, supervising social workers and similarly licensed professionals, and providing exam preparation for social workers.
Jamie Snell, MSW, LCSW
Clinical Task Supervisor
Jamie joined our team as an MSW intern in Sept 2021.
They received their MSW in Clinical Social Work from Simmons
College, and upon graduation, they were hired as a
full-time mental health therapist. In Sept 2023, they were
promoted to Clinical Task Supervisor. Now, they divide their
time managing a case load of therapy clients and providing
supervision to our master’s level interns. Jamie is a Licensed
Certified Social Worker (LCSW) in the state of Massachusetts.
Jamie also received their Bachelor's in Anthropology andSociology from Mt Holyoke College in 2016 and integrates an
interdisciplinary systems theory framework into their clinical
approach. Jamie has experience working in the fields of crisis
management, foster care and family reunification, community
organizing and public health and welfare initiatives, and
counseling. Over the past 5 years they have worked in
community-based settings to support families and individuals
through difficult stages in their lives.
Jamie pursued social work education because it emphasizes the unique needs of a diverse population, and a
person-driven perspective on emotional and psychological healing. They believe that mental health care is at its best
when it is anchored in the lived experiences and day to day need-meeting of those it seeks to care for. Jamie has
extensive experience working with the unique needs of the LGBTQIA+ community, those with severe chronic health
needs, as well as with autistic youth and adults. They are eager to continue supporting individuals, couples, and
families with issues such as post-traumatic stress, functional disability accommodations, chronic, persistent, or
severe stress, emotional regulation, grief and loss, chronic illness, disordered or unsafe dietary and nutritional
behaviors/needs, and reclamation of selfhood. Jamie has experience utilizing approaches that include but are not
limited to DBT-based skill-building, TF-CBT interventions, family systems therapy, narrative therapy and
creative/expressive therapy interventions, and personalized stress management.
Jamie provides virtual-only appointments.
Our staff is able to provide therapeutic interventions under the supervision of Dr. Charell McFarland, who is a
Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker. Please contact the practice today for more information!
Juana McFarland, BA, MDIV
Office Manager, volunteer
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.
Mariela Batista
Receptionist, part time
Mariela Batista (she/her/hers) joined our team in August 2024 as our part time receptionist.
Mariela has previous experience working in scheduling at a medical office and also has worked as customer service for the Massachusetts health connector, helping members enroll in insurance plans.
She brings the same level of compassion to her job here as she did to her previous positions. Mariela works Mon-Thurs each week 9-5pm and support current and prospective clients with scheduling requests during those hours.
Anita Peters
BSW Intern
Anita Peters (she/her/hers) joined our team in January 2025 as an part time BSW Intern.
Anita is a social work student at Simmons University currently enrolled in their Bachelors program. She began her degree after graduating through the pathways dual-enrollment program obtaining her associate's degree in tandem with her high school diploma.
Anita has worked in special education for alternative learners. She will be learning about private practice through the lens of social work and will be assisting with completing initial consultations.