Certified Authentic: Meet Alyssa Apple, LMHC

Handel Behavioral Health welcomes the newest addition to our therapy team, Alyssa Apple, LMHC!

Finding Her Focus

Before becoming a therapist, Alyssa Apple, LMHC, thought she might become a teacher. While pursuing her undergraduate degree, she found she had the most impact working one-on-one with students, rather than with the entire classroom at once.

Alyssa shifted her focus and, after graduating with her bachelor’s degree in psychology, she went to work to gain as much real-world experience as possible.

While working with adults with disabilities in homes and day programs all across Massachusetts’ North Shore, Alyssa built meaningful relationships and gained firsthand experience supporting individuals across a wide range of needs. This work solidified her understanding that connecting with a client makes all the difference.

Alyssa went on to pursue her master’s degree, balancing graduate school with hands-on exposure in her field. This worked well, considering she was able to do her internship just upstairs from the very day program where she worked.

After graduating, Alyssa worked in various community mental health settings, schools, and outpatient work. She supported clients ranging from age 6 to 80, meeting them exactly where they are, both literally and figuratively.

Connection is Key

At the heart of Alyssa’s work is a relational and expressive approach to therapy that values authenticity and genuine human connection.

To avoid presenting as overly clinical or emotionally distant, Alyssa brings an authentic and approachable presence into her sessions. Rather than changing into her therapist persona “Severance”-style before going into work, she simply shows up as herself (while still maintaining professional boundaries, of course).

Alyssa finds that being genuinely herself helps clients express themselves more genuinely as well,  leading to deeper engagement and willingness to try new things.

She also welcomes feedback openly, having grown a thick skin from years of working with some of the more brutally honest populations, children and older adults. Feedback helps her to continually adapt and grow alongside her clients.

What to Expect in Session One

Starting therapy can feel intimidating, especially when you’re not sure where to begin. While some clients arrive with clear goals, others need help finding the words.

Alyssa meets that uncertainty by starting more broadly — “What brings you in today?”— to provide the foundation for her to gently guide conversations, helping clients move from general feelings into more specific areas of focus.

Her approach starts with validating a client’s emotions; Letting them know that they are not only being heard, but understood in the way they are feeling.

Then comes normalizing their concerns; Making it known that they are not alone, and because of that, she has the experience to help.

Building Goals That Actually Matter

Alyssa knows that making big, unmeasurable goals can be daunting if not impossible to meet.

Instead, she and her clients explore both short-term and long-term goals— what’s happening right now and what they’re ultimately working toward.

Short-term goals help build manageable, meaningful steps to create the foundation needed to move towards larger, long-term goals.

For example, a short-term goal could be to reduce daily conflicts with their partner, which will ultimately strengthen the relationship and aid in reaching their long-term goal of starting a family.

Finding Common Ground

One of Alyssa’s strengths lies in her ability to connect across generations and interests. Through her work with diverse populations, she’s developed a wide-ranging knowledge of music, shows, video games, and internet culture.

Whether it’s pop culture or even zodiac signs, Alyssa uses familiar reference points to help her get to know her clients, as well as help clients better understand themselves.

With older teens and young adults in particular, she might ask questions like:

Who do you relate to in a favorite show?

What parts of that character feel like you?

Coming Back Home to Western Massachusetts

Alyssa splits her time between in-person sessions in Wilbraham and telehealth services, with plans to expand further into West Springfield.

Having grown up in East Longmeadow, returning to the area has brought her closer to her family, who are a big part of her support system for her own mental health. She loves being able to go to every birthday party and holiday and maintaining such an important connection.

“Certified Authentic” Therapy in Massachusetts with Alyssa Apple

Alyssa brings a refreshing honesty and warmth to her work. Her approach is rooted in connection, guided by values, and created with intention.

Alyssa offers both telehealth/online therapy as well as in-person therapy at our office in Wilbraham, Massachusetts. 

For clients looking for an approachable, authentic therapist in Massachusetts, contact us today at (413) 343-4357  or request an appointment online to book with Alyssa Apple.

 

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