Grief counselors and therapists in Northampton, MA

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.

I am a Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker (LICSW) with years of experience working with a variety of clients, including both children and adults. I have experience supporting individuals with depression, anxiety, suicidal ideation, functional neurological disorder, dissociative identity disorder, bipolar disorder, psychosis, personality disorders, trauma, and more.

I’ve been working with women, children and families for over 15 years in individual counseling, group settings, and program development. My expertise lies in helping people understand their own emotional experience, to use words not violence, to cope, to reduce impulsive and compulsive behavior, to advocate for themselves.

I believe to live fully, we must feel. Intensely. Viscerally. Freely. To feel pride and pain, joy and frustration. To taste the freedoms of life, as well as its restraints. To reconcile thoughts, actions and emotions that are often at odds. To square all of this with culture, beliefs, and history. To live fully is when a sense of equity, equality and balance is awakened. To live fully is to gain perspective and know that you can weather all of it, and not be overcome by these complexities, but learn to integrate them, for a full life.

Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker | Certified Dementia Practitioner

Boston, MA | In-Person & Telehealth Sessions

I am a Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker (LICSW) and Certified Dementia Practitioner (CDP) with more than two decades of clinical experience helping adults navigate complex emotional, relational, and medical challenges. I hold a Master’s in Clinical Social Work from Boston College and have dedicated my career to providing thoughtful, evidence-based care rooted in authenticity, compassion, and the belief that genuine change is possible at every stage of life.

My areas of specialization include anxiety, depression, trauma, chronic pain, medical conditions, LGBTQ+ identity and relationships, grief and loss, end-of-life issues, and advanced care planning. My integrative approach draws from Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Solution-Focused Therapy, and a Humanistic framework. I believe that movement is medicine, and that healing emerges through the mind–body connection — where awareness, purpose, and action intersect.

As a gay clinician, I am deeply committed to creating an affirming, inclusive space where clients can explore identity, relationships, and resilience with honesty and respect. I strive to help each person cultivate balance, clarity, and a renewed sense of possibility in their lives.

Is your experience with pregnancy, postpartum, or parenthood not going as you thought it might? Or are you finding the transition to motherhood stressful and life changing? Though it can be joyful, it can also be a vulnerable time filled with overwhelming stress, worry, sadness, or even grief. If this sounds at all like you, please know I am here to help.

I’m Alison (Ali) Pugh, a Clinical Social Worker, USAF veteran, and mom of two. I help adults who are juggling work, family, caregiving, or major life changes that feel heavier than they look on the surface. If you’re feeling stretched thin, overwhelmed, or unsure of your next step, you’re in the right place. My style is calm, collaborative, and steady. There’s no pressure to have the perfect words.

PLEASE MESSAGE PROVIDER TO MANUALLY BOOK SELF PAYING CLIENTS.

Everyone deserves the opportunity to thrive, regardless of their circumstances. Whether addressing addiction, mood disorders, or other mental health challenges, I strive to make a meaningful difference in the lives of my clients by offering comprehensive, integrative care. If you’re ready to take the next step, I’d love to support you!