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LMHC

Cheryl Nelson, LMHC

  • Experience30 years
  • LocationMassachusetts
  • Focus areasStress and Anxiety, Grief, and Depression
  • Therapy approachesInternal Family Systems and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)
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About Cheryl

Cheryl Nelson is a licensed mental health counselor in Massachusetts with over 30 years of clinical experience supporting people facing stress, anxiety, grief, depression, parenting challenges, and related concerns.

Background and approach

She creates a welcoming, nonjudgmental atmosphere where clients can explore difficult thoughts and feelings and work toward clearer coping strategies and greater emotional balance.

Her practice integrates several evidence-informed methods to meet different needs, drawing on Internal Family Systems to help people understand internal parts, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy to clarify values and take committed action, and client-centered techniques that prioritize empathy and collaboration. Cheryl also uses cognitive and skills-based tools from Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and Dialectical Behavior Therapy when helpful.

She can incorporate a biblical worldview when requested by a client. Cheryl addresses a broad range of life challenges including relationship and family issues, trauma and abuse, addictions, ADHD, compassion fatigue, and complex family dynamics such as adoption, blended family concerns, caregiver stress, and separation.

Sessions aim to identify practical steps and inner resources so clients can move forward with more resilience and purpose.

Integrating compassionate approaches into online therapy



Internal Family Systems helps people notice and dialogue with internal parts that hold different emotions or roles, which can be especially useful for understanding reactions to stress, trauma, or conflicts. Acceptance and Commitment Therapy focuses on clarifying personal values and taking committed action while learning to make space for difficult thoughts and feelings; this can support coping with anxiety, depression, and life transitions.

Choosing an approach is a collaborative process. The therapist works with each client to identify which methods fit their goals, preferences, and current needs, adjusting techniques over time as progress and priorities change. Clients can expect open discussion about the rationale for different strategies and opportunities to try approaches in ways that feel manageable.

Online therapy offers practical flexibility through video calls, phone sessions, live chat, and text-based messaging, making it easier to maintain continuity of care around work and family commitments. These options allow licensed professionals to deliver the therapeutic methods described above in ways that fit varied schedules and communication styles, while keeping the focus on building skills, insight, and forward movement.

Frequently asked questions

What kinds of concerns does Cheryl address?
She works with stress, anxiety, grief, depression, parenting challenges, addictions, trauma and abuse, ADHD, relationship and family problems, and related issues such as compassion fatigue, self esteem, and self-harm.
What is Cheryl's therapeutic style like?
Her approach is collaborative and nonjudgmental, emphasizing empathy and practical skills while drawing on several evidence-informed therapies to match each client's needs.
How much clinical experience does she have?
Cheryl brings more than 30 years of professional experience working with a wide range of emotional and life challenges.
What are Cheryl's credentials and where is she based?
She is credentialed as an LMHC with license reference MA LMHC LMHC4102 and practices in Massachusetts.
Does she offer therapy in other languages or to international clients?
Sessions are provided in English and she is not currently accepting international clients.
Which session formats are available for online work?
Cheryl meets with clients via video calls, phone sessions, live chat, and text-based messaging to accommodate different preferences and schedules.
How is cost handled for sessions?
Fees vary by location and therapist availability, and sessions are provided through a subscription model that can be canceled at any time.
What are the steps to begin working together?
To get started, select the Start Therapy button, complete a short matching questionnaire, and schedule sessions according to the therapist's availability.

Areas of expertise

Also works with

AddictionsRelationship issuesFamily conflictsTrauma and abuseParenting issuesAnger managementSelf esteemCompassion fatigueADHD

Additional focus areas

Adoption and foster careBlended family issuesCaregiver issues and stressCodependencyCoping with natural or human-caused disasterDivorce and separationFamily of origin issuesFamily problemsForgivenessGuilt and shameLife purposeMood disordersPhobiasSeasonal Affective Disorder (SAD)Self-harmWomen's issuesYoung adult issues

Therapeutic approaches

Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)Client-Centered TherapyCognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT)Mindfulness TherapySolution-Focused TherapyInternal Family Systems

Experience

30+ years

Licensed

Massachusetts

Languages

English