Alan Michael Chest

Alan-Michael Chest, MEd, is a Licensed Mental Health Counselor (LMHC) who stands proud both professionally and in personal life as a black man and member of the LGBTQA community. Alan-Michael is an expert in providing individual and family therapy sessions to children and families. He has substantial experience in mental health treatment collaboration, and places emphasis on assisting clients with developing core mindfulness, emotional regulation, distress tolerance, and interpersonal effectiveness skills. Alan-Michael completed his Bachelor of Arts (BA) at Westfield State University and his Master of Education (MEd) at Cambridge College. Through his unique lens, Alan-Michael is able to focus significantly on trauma-based work through the use of dialectical behavioral therapy (DBT) and expressive arts therapy. He understands the importance of meeting clients where they are at. Alan-Michael functions as a trauma-informed therapist who sees self-expression through the arts, narrative, …and other creative therapies as impactful ways of influencing positive change and a positive outlook on life. He is culturally competent and highlights pride in self-identity as a means of taking back control of one's life and using this power to heal mentally, spiritually, and physically. Alan-Michael wants potential clients to understand that there is healing power in the helping relationship. The therapist and the client work collaboratively to set goals to meet the needs of the client first and foremost. Therapy is about understanding that empathy is about connection. A RICH therapeutic relationship is built on Respect, Information, Connection, and Hope.