Our Staff

Interested in our Massachusetts therapy practice? Explore our team, which includes therapists specializing in OCD, anxiety, depression, eating disorders, trauma, and more. Our team also includes a psychiatric nurse practitioner offering psychopharmacology support and medication management.

Our therapists bring a broad spectrum of lived experiences, specializations, and professional backgrounds, allowing us to offer nuanced, empathetic care that meets the unique needs of each individual. Whether you’re navigating anxiety, trauma, eating disorders, or other challenges, our team is here to help you thrive in a way that honors your values and identity.

KAREN CHINCA

LICSW, CEDS-S  
(SHE/HER)
Licensed in MA, RI, CT, and FL

  • As the owner and lead therapist at Nourished Minds: Counseling + Wellness, I bring nearly two decades of experience as a Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker (LICSW) and Certified Eating Disorders Specialist-Supervisor (CEDS-S). My journey in mental health has been enriched by working with a diverse range of clients, specializing in treating adults with obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), eating disorders, anxiety, depression, and trauma. I particularly enjoy working with families struggling with communication, those dealing with mental illness, eating disorders, OCD, and those navigating the complexities of the mental health system to find the best treatment options for their loved ones. 

    I hold a Master of Social Work from Boston College and a Master of Business Administration in Healthcare Management from Boston University. Additionally, I have a certificate in The Assessment and Treatment of Psychological Trauma from Boston University, am a Certified Diplomate of the Academy of Cognitive Therapy, and have completed my Internal Family Systems (IFS) level 1 training through the IFS Institute. My specialized training also includes graduating from the International OCD Foundation’s Behavior Therapy Training Institute and becoming a Certified Eating Disorders Specialist-Supervisor through The International Association of Eating Disorders Professionals (IAEDP). I proudly endorse and promote a Health at Every Size (HAES) approach. I am licensed to practice in Massachusetts, Rhode Island, and Florida. 

    I am an active member of the National Association of Social Workers, the Academy of Cognitive Therapy, the International OCD Foundation, the International Association of Eating Disorder Professionals, and the Multi-Service Eating Disorders Association (MEDA). My approach to therapy is warm, interactive, and compassionate. I believe in the power of the mind-body connection and tailor treatment plans to meet each client’s unique needs. I incorporate mindfulness practices, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP) and Internal Family Systems (IFS) into my sessions. I am passionate about lifelong learning and continuously seek to enhance my skills to better serve my clients. 

    I am first-generation American, born in the US to Eastern European parents. This personal background gives me a deep appreciation for cultural diversity and a unique perspective on the challenges faced by individuals from various cultural backgrounds. I also love working with individuals and families from other countries, helping them navigate their unique cultural and mental health challenges. 

    I am deeply committed to social justice and anti-racism, striving to create a welcoming, supportive, and inclusive community within my practice and beyond. I am passionate about serving college and graduate students, who face unique pressures and challenges in today’s world. I tailor treatment plans to help them build resilience, manage stress, and thrive in their academic and personal lives. Perhaps my favorite part of being a therapist is getting to know people from all walks of life, backgrounds, cultures, and races. Each one of my clients enriches my life and helps me grow both professionally and personally. I look forward to the opportunity to support you on your journey to mental wellness and am here to provide a compassionate and effective therapeutic experience.

JENNA PATTERSON

MHC 
(SHE/HER)

  • I am a Mental Health Counselor at Nourished Minds Counseling + Wellness, specializing in treating adolescents and adults experiencing anxiety, depression, OCD, eating disorders, trauma, and substance use disorders.

    My clinical approach is client-centered and integrates Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), and Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP). I believe each individual is the expert in their own life, and I feel privileged to walk alongside my clients as they build understanding and self-compassion.

    I earned my Master’s of Science in Counseling Psychology from Northeastern University with a focus on feminist therapies. Before joining Nourished Minds, I worked at The Renfrew Center of Massachusetts in both clinical and managerial roles, providing individual, family, couples, and group therapy. My time there deepened my expertise in body image concerns, OCD, self-harm, dissociation, trauma, personality disorders, and eating disorders across the lifespan. I also reintroduced the Substance Use Track group, creating space to address the intersection of eating disorders and substance use.

    Before completing graduate school, I worked as a research coordinator on studies examining the neurological underpinnings of OCD, long-term substance use treatment, and health anxiety in young women. My research experience ignited my passion for providing clinical care, and I am grateful to now offer evidence-based treatment for complex and often misunderstood mental health concerns.

    On a personal note, I have lived experience with OCD and feel especially honored to support clients navigating similar challenges. As a member of the LGBTQIA+ community, I am also dedicated to fostering an inclusive, affirming space and supporting clients across all gender and sexuality spectrums. My work is grounded in warmth, curiosity, and a commitment to ongoing anti-racism and anti-oppression education.

    I look forward to walking alongside my clients as they pursue freedom, growth, and meaningful, values-driven lives.

WINNIE LEE

PMHNP-BC
(SHE/HER)
Licensed in MA

  • I am a board-certified Psychiatric/Mental Health Nurse Practitioner who is dedicated to educating and empowering clients with mental health concerns to regain control of their lives.

    My practice ideology is centered on building a collaborative relationship with the client, where my role is to guide and support clients in making informed decisions about their health by performing comprehensive evaluations, providing medication management, and offering guidance regarding adjunct therapies to support optimal health and wellness.

    I am passionate about my work as a psychiatric nurse practitioner in Massachusetts. I am also licensed in psychopharmacology in Washington, D.C. I have experience working in various treatment settings across a continuum of care with an expertise in eating disorders. I also have a diverse background in researching the role of biochemical, nutritional, and metabolic abnormalities in the role of mental health treatment and recovery. 

    In addition to supporting clients at Nourished Minds, I currently work as a Nurse Practitioner at Walden Behavioral Care’s Residential program where I treat clients with eating disorders and complex psychiatric comorbidities. I am humbled to be a part of my clients’ journey to improving their quality of life, free from barriers imposed by their mental health symptoms.

Alex Bauermeister

LCSW
(SHE/HER)
Licensed in MA

  • As a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) at Nourished Minds Counseling + Wellness, I specialize in treating adolescents and adults facing anxiety, depression, trauma, eating disorders, OCD, and couples navigating relationship challenges.

    My clinical approach integrates Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Internal Family Systems (IFS), and Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP). I am also a certified yoga teacher and yoga therapist, often weaving this background into my clinical work to help clients (both individuals and couples) befriend their bodies and regulate their nervous systems. Most importantly, I focus on building trust and connection, then personalize therapy based on what best serves each client’s goals. I strive to be a collaborative and interactive therapist, co-creating an engaging and dynamic atmosphere in sessions.

    I am passionate about working with couples to enhance their relationships through effective communication, nervous system attunement, and practices that support emotional intimacy and connection. My work with couples is informed by the Gottman Method and the Psychobiological Approach to Couples Therapy (PACT), which recognize the roles of the nervous system and trauma responses in relationship dynamics.

    I received my Master of Social Work (MSW) from Simmons University. Prior to joining Nourished Minds, I worked at the Simmons College Counseling Center, where I provided individual therapy to undergraduate students. I continue to enjoy helping students build their toolbox of coping skills to navigate anxiety, depression, eating disorders, OCD, relationship challenges, trauma, and identity development.

    With a decade of experience as a yoga teacher and yoga therapist, I appreciate the complex relationship we often have with our bodies. I have taught therapeutic yoga at several Boston-area eating disorder treatment programs. I frequently work with clients who have not had a positive relationship with yoga, mindfulness, or movement, and I embrace the challenge of finding creative approaches to improve the mind-body connection.

    I support clients across the spectrum of gender identity and sexual orientation and enjoy helping those navigating polyamory and nonmonogamy. My clinical work is infused with an understanding of how structural oppression affects mental health, along with a commitment to anti-racist education and practice. Before working directly with clients, I was involved in the nonprofit sector, focusing on social justice and policy change. This dedication to systemic and cultural change continues to drive my efforts toward ensuring everyone has access to greater health and well-being.

Bridget McAdams

LICSW

(SHE/HER)
Licensed in MA

  • As a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) at Nourished Minds Counseling + Wellness, I specialize in treating adolescents and adults struggling with eating disorders, disordered eating, complex trauma, substance abuse, anxiety, depression, OCD, and personality disorders.

    My clinical approach incorporates Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT), Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Internal Family Systems (IFS), and Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP). I enjoy working with clients to meet their goals with curiosity, compassion, and humor.

    I received my Master of Social Work (MSW) from Boston College. Prior to joining Nourished Minds, I worked at Monte Nido Laurel Hill, a residential eating disorder facility, where I provided individual, group, and family therapy to clients recovering from eating disorders. During my time as a therapist, I gained experience working with clients as they developed insight and coping skills to navigate eating disorders, disordered eating, self-harm, dissociation, suicidality, substance abuse, complex trauma, intimate partner violence, OCD, and identity development.

    Before this role, I spent a year as a primary and group therapist for Right Turn, a program for individuals struggling with substance abuse. During graduate school, I worked as a recovery coach, providing behavioral interventions and nutrition exposures for individuals with eating disorders. I am dedicated to continued professional development and am a member of The National Association of Social Workers (NASW).

    As a member of the LGBTQIA+ community, I particularly enjoy working with young adults as they navigate their experience and expression of gender and sexuality. I am a sex-positive and kink-allied therapist. I am dedicated to continued anti-racist education and use my knowledge of systems of oppression and their impact on individual and community health in my clinical practice and life. I feel grateful for the opportunity to build relationships and work alongside my clients as they identify values-based behaviors and strategies to create the life they want for themselves.

Emily Hocking

LCSW
(SHE/HER) 
Licensed in MA 

  • As a Licensed Certified Social Worker (LCSW) at Nourished Minds: Counseling + Wellness, I specialize in treating adolescents and adults facing anxiety, depression, perinatal and women's health issues, eating disorders, disordered eating, obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), and trauma-related symptoms. I am a proud member of the National Association of Social Workers (NASW) and Postpartum Support International (PSI).

    My clinical approach integrates Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), Solution-Focused Therapy, and Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP). I prioritize building strong relationships with my clients to facilitate goal achievement, and I approach therapy with compassion, warmth, and curiosity.

    I earned my Master of Social Work (MSW) from Boston College and a Master of Education from the University of Notre Dame. Before joining Nourished Minds, I completed a Behavioral Health Fellowship at Atrius Health, focusing on Women’s Health. This experience allowed me to provide individual therapy to a diverse population and receive specialized training in treating Perinatal Mood and Anxiety Disorders (PMADs), Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder, perimenopause, as well as disordered eating and body image concerns. I have advanced training in perinatal mental health through Postpartum Support International and am pursuing my Perinatal Mental Health Certification (PMH-C). I am passionate about supporting parents experiencing mental health challenges at any life stage.

    With a background in education as a former teacher, I understand the complexities influencing student mental health and how to support adolescents and their families in navigating educational systems. On a personal note, I am a lifelong runner, having competed as a Division I athlete in college. I continue to train for and compete in road races and marathons, which deepens my understanding of the intersection of the relationships many individuals have with food, exercise, and their bodies.

    I am dedicated to providing client-centered, compassionate care in an inclusive and supportive therapy space for individuals across all spectrums of gender, sexuality, ethnicity, and race. I am grateful for the opportunity to learn from the unique stories of my clients and partner with them to create meaningful change in pursuit of their goals.

Our Partners

We collaborate with a number of professionals in the community to complement the work we do with our clients.

Kate Sweeney

REGISTERED DIETITIAN & EXPOSURE COACH

MS, RDN, LDN
(SHE/HER)

  • I am partnering with the Nourished Minds team to provide exposure coaching to clients who struggle with eating disorders and OCD. As a registered dietitian nutritionist and owner of Kate Sweeney Nutrition, I specialize in treating adults and adolescents who struggle with disordered eating, eating disorders (EDs), digestive issues and OCD. I am particularly interested in working with clients who have co-occurring obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) and eating disorders (EDs). I offer exposure coaching services in addition to nutrition counseling and group therapy. 

    I received a Master of Science in Nutrition Communication from The Friedman School of Nutrition Science and Policy at Tufts University and a Bachelor of Science in Biology from Tufts University. 

    Over the 10 years of being a dietitian, I found that traditional meal support and even nutrition therapy techniques did not meet the needs of many clients with OCD and EDs. Thus, I engaged in specialized training to increase my skill set in order to better help individuals struggling with both disorders. I have received advanced training in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP), and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), all of which are evidence-based treatments. 

    My decade of experience as a dietitian has included working for 6 years at Boston College as the Administrative Dietitian in Dining Services and the Office of Health Promotion. In this role, I  provided nutritional counseling and had the privilege of working with students to overcome their challenges with food, body, and movement. Prior to working at Boston College, I was the Manager of the Nutrition & Wellness Service at Brigham and Women’s Hospital. 

    I meet individuals where they are at and provide services in a comprehensive, collaborative, and compassionate way. I enjoy balancing nutrition education and science with therapeutic strategies, including meal and exposure coaching. In addition to CBT and ERP, I  integrate motivational interviewing, internal family systems, and acceptance and commitment therapy into my work with clients. I am always honored to walk alongside my clients in their journeys, and value learning from them. They make me a better person and practitioner. 

    After moving to Europe in 2022, I currently reside in Germany where I see clients in Massachusetts and Europe. I enjoy traveling, food, nature, and spending time with my daughter, husband, and friends whenever possible.

Get Started with our Massachusetts Team

Whether you’re looking for an eating disorder therapist, need therapy for OCD and anxiety or simply want a safe space to discuss life’s everyday challenges, the experienced team at Nourished Minds: Counseling and Wellness can help. Contact us to get started today.