

Mental healthcare in Newton is personalized through Headway's 2,269 provider network across all neighborhoods. Find the right fit with open-minded professionals offering free intake calls, virtual or in-person care, and insurance coverage that keeps your focus on healing rather than costs.
With a solid foundation in the field, I hold a Bachelor's degree in Clinical Psychology and a Master's degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling. My career has been dedicated to working with diverse populations, introducing tools and techniques that are tailored to each individual's unique abilities and needs. I am confident in my ability to help you embark on a journey to a happier life.
As your therapist I will work alongside you to help you learn to identify your emotions, learn healthy ways to express yourself, and healthy and effective ways of communicating with others. Together we will also identify your strengths as well as possible unhealthy thinking or behavioral patterns and how they relate to your everyday experiences and emotions.
I’m a Licensed Mental Health Counselor who runs a private practice called Next Play Therapy. I work with adolescents, young adults, adults, and athletes. My background includes both school-based counseling and outpatient therapy, where I’ve helped clients manage anxiety, stress, depression, self-esteem challenges, and life transitions. I also have experience coaching high school athletics, which has shaped my passion for helping athletes build confidence and mental resilience. My goal is to create a supportive space where clients feel comfortable, understood, and empowered to move forward.
Healing Across the Lifespan: A Partnership in Mental Wellness
Choosing a mental health provider is a deeply personal decision. You aren’t just looking for a prescriber; you are looking for a witness to your story, an expert in the biological complexities of the brain, and a partner in your recovery.
My name is Jessica Stanley, and I am a Board-Certified Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP-BC). My journey to this practice has been defined by a unique duality: the macro view of a healthcare executive and the micro focus of a dedicated clinician. Before opening the doors to this practice, I served as the Clinical Director for a large-scale healthcare organization. In that role, I was responsible for the oversight of complex systems, the mentorship of large clinical teams, and the implementation of evidence-based protocols across diverse populations.
While my time in leadership allowed me to impact mental health at a systemic level, my true passion has always remained in the quiet, transformative moments of the exam room. I have returned to full-time clinical practice to bring that high-level expertise back to where it matters most: the individual human experience.
Mental health does not exist in a vacuum, nor does it look the same at age seven as it does at seventy. I specialize in treating patients across the entire lifespan. Whether I am working with a child struggling to navigate their first years of school, an adolescent facing the pressures of identity formation, or an adult managing the heavy mantle of career and family, my approach remains the same: comprehensive, compassionate, and evidence based.
Areas of Specialization
I am trained to treat a broad spectrum of psychiatric conditions including:
ADHD & Neurodivergence
Anxiety Disorders
Depression
PTSD & Trauma Recovery
Now accepting patients in Massachusetts! Offering in office visits on the fourth Monday of each month in Westford, MA from 8:00 until 11:30 and virtual visits throughout the week.
I have been in healthcare for over 20 years and enjoy partnering with patients . As a gay man, I understand the comfort that comes with working with someone from the community.
I get so excited to watch clients learn more about themselves, build self confidence and grow as individuals. The transformations I have witnessed in the people I have worked with over the years is amazing and awe inspiring. Emotional pain can be incredibly difficult to deal with, especially on one’s own. Ultimately, we all deserve to feel better about ourselves and learn to care for ourselves in a more kind and accepting way.
A bit about my educational journey: Upon Graduating from High School in Oregon, I headed East. I earned my Bachelors Degree in Communication Studies from Emerson College in Boston where I minored in Psychology. My Masters in Clinical Mental Health came years later from Lesley University in Cambridge, MA.
I am a licensed mental health counselor, and in recent years, my practice has evolved to focus on the issues of depression, anxiety, and trauma. I treat clients of all ages, but my special interest in working with individuals in highly stressful work\school environments.











Headway makes it easy to find support for your mental health — from finding the right provider, to understanding costs, to scheduling with ease.
Searching for therapists in Newton starts with finding someone whose experience matches what you want support with. You may be looking for therapy for anxiety, depression, grief, relationship challenges, work stress, or a major life change. As you compare Newton therapists, look for specialties and approaches that connect to your needs, such as cognitive behavioral therapy, trauma-informed care, family therapy, or support for young adults. A therapist’s profile can help you understand their focus areas, communication style, and what sessions may be like.
Newton has local therapy options, but availability can vary by schedule, neighborhood, and whether you prefer in-person or virtual care. If nearby appointments are limited, virtual therapy can expand your options across Massachusetts while still letting you work with a therapist licensed in the state. As you narrow your search, consider appointment times, whether the therapist is accepting new patients, whether they offer a free phone consultation, and how their bio describes their approach. These details can help you choose a therapist who fits your schedule, preferences, and care goals.
Therapy in Newton can be a significant expense without insurance. Using in-network insurance is one of the most reliable ways to reduce session costs and make ongoing care easier to plan for. Headway helps you find therapists, see estimated out-of-pocket costs before booking, and compare providers who are accepting new patients. You can confirm coverage for your specific plan and location on Headway before booking. You can browse profiles, review fit, and book directly when you’re ready.
If anyone in your family is experiencing or worried about abuse, threats, or coercion, joint family or couples therapy usually isn't the right starting point — individual support is safer. The Childhelp National Child Abuse Hotline (1-800-422-4453) and National Domestic Violence Hotline (1-800-799-7233, or text START to 88788\) can help you think through next steps.
Use left and right arrow keys to switch tabs. Press Shift+Tab to return to the tab list from links in the selected tab.