Find a therapist in Massachusetts — covered by insurance

Hello!

I proudly bring lived experience to the table, so I know a different life than comes in textbooks. It increases my odds of understanding you better and of being able to develop unique strategies for you in a shorter amount of time. I've wanted to work in mental health since I was a child, and bring that enthusiasm to my work. Hope to see you soon.

Many people come to therapy feeling overwhelmed by anxiety, trauma, relationship challenges, or life experiences that have left them feeling disconnected from themselves or uncertain about how to move forward. I believe that healing begins with feeling truly seen, heard, and accepted. I am passionate about helping clients recognize their strengths, reconnect with their authentic selves, and build lives that feel more grounded, meaningful, and aligned with who they are.

I earned my Master's degree from Springfield College in 2007 and bring nearly two decades of clinical experience across a wide range of settings, including outpatient clinics, in-home therapy, residential treatment, juvenile justice programs, school-based services, and as a school adjustment counselor. These experiences have given me a deep understanding of how trauma, relationships, and life experiences shape emotional well-being across the lifespan. While my background includes extensive work with children, adolescents, and families, my practice is primarily focused on supporting teens and adults who are navigating life's challenges. I am committed to providing culturally responsive, affirming care that honors each person's unique identity and lived experience.

You're the one people call when things fall apart. You're good at it — steady, competent, the person who knows what to do. And somewhere along the way you stopped having anywhere to put your own stuff.

So you can run the meeting, hold the crisis, answer the phone at 2 a.m. — and still not be able to make yourself open the mail. Competence and collapse live together far more often than anyone admits out loud.

I work with adults carrying that particular load: substance use and recovery, emotions that arrive at full volume with no dimmer switch, thoughts of self-harm or not wanting to be here, and the specific erosion that comes from caring for other people for a living. Helpers, clinicians, parents, first responders — people whose exhaustion doesn't have an obvious place to go. I work with teenagers too, often the ones in families like these.

My style is direct, warm, and collaborative. I'm not going to nod quietly for fifty minutes. We'll find what's actually driving things, build skills you can use on a Tuesday afternoon when it counts, and I'll tell you honestly what I'm seeing. You set the pace. I'll bring the structure.

With over 15 years of nursing experience, my passion for psychiatry began early in my nursing career as I witnessed patients transform their lives through healing, self-discovery, and resilience. It is profoundly humbling meeting someone at their lowest point and having the privilege of walking alongside them as they do the work to become their best selves.

​

I work with adults ages 18 to 60 from all walks of life, with a special focus on individuals who are often overlooked, misunderstood, or silently struggling. Many of the people I work with appear “put together” on the outside—successful, dependable, and strong—while internally feeling overwhelmed, exhausted, or barely holding it together.

I was born and raised in Boston, Massachusetts, to immigrant parents from Haiti, and my cultural background plays an important role in who I am as a provider. Being deeply connected to both Haitian and American cultures has given me a broad perspective and a deep appreciation for cultural identity, family systems, and the shared human experience. At the core, struggle looks very similar across cultures—and everyone deserves care that is respectful, culturally responsive, and compassionate.

As a licensed mental health counselor and with over eighteen years of experience working in the field, I am committed to providing a safe, compassionate, and nonjudgmental environment where clients feel empowered to explore their thoughts, emotions, and life experiences. I believe that healing begins when individuals feel genuinely seen, heard, and accepted. My therapeutic style is warm, approachable, and collaborative, allowing clients to build trust and feel comfortable discussing even the most difficult aspects of their lives. I am highly empathetic and intuitive, with a keen ability to recognize both verbal and nonverbal communication. By paying close attention to body language, emotional patterns, and underlying themes, I help clients identify the root causes of their challenges and develop practical strategies for healing, resilience, and personal growth. I strive to meet each client where they are, honoring their unique experiences while helping them build insight, strengthen coping skills, and create meaningful, lasting change.

I love working with clients who are reflective, open to self-exploration and ready to challenge long-standing beliefs about themselves. I help adults build confidence, improve emotional regulation, strengthen relationships, and develop healthier coping strategies for managing stress, anxiety, or trauma-related symptoms. I believe therapy is a collaborative process where clients gain practical tools to interrupt negative thought cycles, process difficult experiences, and move toward a more balanced, self-compassionate way of living. This helps clients experience greater clarity, stronger boundaries, and improved self-worth.

I'm Mike Smukler, a licensed mental health counselor with nearly 20 years of experience working with adults across Massachusetts. Before this work, I was on track to become a documentary filmmaker, and in 2004 I spent a year on a suicide hotline that changed the direction of my life. Both taught me the same thing: pay close attention, don’t rush people, and trust that people usually know more about themselves than they let on.

Since then I’ve worked across private practice, outpatient care, and community mental health, and I’ve also held clinical supervision and leadership roles supporting other clinicians.

Today, I work with adults of all backgrounds, including LGBTQ+ clients, and I bring a depth-oriented approach that draws from psychodynamic therapy, mindfulness, and ACT - practiced without rigidity. rigidity. I've trained with the Institute for Meditation and Psychotherapy and the Mindfulness Center of Maine. Sessions are available via telehealth on Saturday mornings/afternoon (soon to be Tuesday through Saturday morning/afternoon) across Massachusetts.

I specialize in working with adolescents and adults of all ages who are experiencing anxiety, depression, relationship challenges, and identity concerns. I have particular experience providing gender-affirming therapy and supporting clients as they explore and celebrate their gender identities. My goal is to help you build a meaningful life by identifying and embracing your authentic self.