Thoughtful care. Rooted in community.

Supporting Children and Families

Whether you are a parent seeking to better understand your child’s learning or behavioral needs, or looking for guidance on how to best support your child emotionally, socially, and academically, I can help you every step of the way.

With over 20 years of clinical experience working with children and families, I bring a holistic, strength-based lens to both assessment and counseling.

My goal is to support children in building self-esteem, confidence, and resilience while helping families feel informed, empowered, and connected.

Areas of Specialization

I specialize in working with children ages 4–10 who are experiencing anxiety and depression, autism spectrum disorders, ADHD, behavioral and emotional regulation difficulties, trauma and adverse experiences, academic struggles and learning differences, social challenges, peer difficulties, and low self-esteem.

I believe that behavior is a form of communication, particularly for children who may struggle to articulate their inner experiences.

My relational approach emphasizes trust, emotional safety, and understanding the “why” behind a child’s behavior. This allows us to build insight and develop positive pathways forward together.

Therapeutic Approach

In sessions, I use play-based therapy techniques and cognitive-behavioral approaches tailored to each child’s developmental level.

I focus on skill building and emotional regulation, helping children learn to express feelings appropriately, solve problems, manage anxiety, and cope with challenges in healthy ways.

I am deeply invested in helping parents understand their child’s behavior in the context of underlying mental health concerns and how these challenges manifest at home, in school, and in relationships.

I offer practical, evidence-informed parenting strategies designed to match each child’s unique needs and build stronger parent-child connections.

Supporting Learning, Growth, and Self-Understanding

A native Hoosier born and raised in Indiana, Catherine earned her undergraduate degree in psychology from Ball State University. After graduation—and a brief career in sales—she accepted a position as a paraprofessional at a public special education school. That experience inspired her path toward a career in school psychology.

After two and a half years in the classroom, Catherine wanted to expand the ways she could support students with diverse learning needs. She moved to Massachusetts in 2006 and earned her graduate degree in school psychology from Tufts University in 2009.

Catherine is a Massachusetts DESE-licensed school psychologist with more than a decade of professional experience supporting children and adolescents with a wide range of learning, developmental, executive functioning, and social-emotional needs. Through educational and achievement assessments, consultation, and individualized feedback, she helps individuals and families understand their unique learning profiles, recognize their strengths, and identify practical supports.

Her special interests include executive functioning and its impact on learning and everyday life, advocacy and self-determination, and helping young people and their families navigate the transition to adulthood.

As a mother of three, Catherine brings both professional expertise and personal familiarity with the special education process to her work. She understands how important it is for families to feel heard, informed, and empowered throughout the assessment process.

At North Andover Behavioral Health, Catherine works within the Psychological Assessment & Diagnostic Department and collaborates with Dr. Marlana Barrasso, Licensed Psychologist, as appropriate to each service. She looks forward to helping individuals develop greater insight into themselves, find effective ways to meet their needs, and build the confidence and self-determination to navigate learning and life.

Clinical Experience and Approach

I became a registered nurse in 2018 after receiving my BSN from Becker College and became a psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner in 2022 after receiving my MSN from MCPHS.

I have treated children as young as 5 years old and older adults well into their 90s and above.

I specialize in evaluating, diagnosing, and treating psychiatric disorders including attention-deficit disorders, autism spectrum disorders, mood disorders, depressive disorders, anxiety disorders, adjustment disorders, trauma-related disorders, conduct disorders, psychotic disorders, substance-use disorders, neurocognitive-related disorders, sleep disorders, and personality disorders.

I participate in annual continuing-education conferences through Mass General Hospital and Harvard.

What to Expect During Care

Initial care includes a comprehensive mental health evaluation. Mental health questionnaires and other requested forms may be provided through the athenahealth Patient Portal and should be completed as directed by the care team.

Treatment planning is collaborative and centered around each patient’s needs and goals. When appropriate, parents, guardians, teachers, or other members of a patient’s support system may be included in treatment planning.

Treatment plans may include lifestyle changes, medication management, individual or family therapy, group therapy when available, and other behavioral health resources. Safety assessment and planning may also be incorporated into ongoing care when clinically appropriate.

When clinically appropriate, referrals to higher levels of care or specialized treatment programs may be recommended.

Clinical Experience and Approach

As a dedicated and compassionate licensed mental health counselor, I bring just under 10 years of experience in providing therapeutic services to individuals and their families.

My approach combines evidence-based practices with a deep commitment to understanding each person’s unique needs and circumstances.

I earned my master’s degree in clinical mental health counseling with a trauma studies specialization from Lesley University, where I developed a solid foundation in psychological theory and clinical practice.

I am licensed in Massachusetts by the Board of Registration of Allied Mental Health and Human Services Professions and maintain ongoing professional development to stay up to date with the latest advancements in mental health treatment.

Areas of Expertise

My areas of expertise include child, adolescent, and family therapy, as well as parent consultation.

My work assists people struggling with parent-child issues, parental stress, school difficulties, relationship issues, trauma, anxiety, depression, stress management, disruptive behavior disorders, and challenges adjusting to life transitions.

I believe in a collaborative and strengths-based approach to therapy, empowering individuals to explore their challenges in a supportive and nonjudgmental environment.

I draw from modalities such as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and Dialectical Behavior Therapy to help clients recognize and challenge distorted thinking that may underlie negative feelings and unproductive behavior.

Helping You Feel More Grounded

I work with young adults and adults who feel overwhelmed by stress, anxiety, or past experiences that continue to affect their daily lives.

You may be navigating life transitions such as starting college, beginning a new job, or managing relationships while trying to redefine your sense of self.

Many people I work with have experienced trauma, burnout, or self-doubt and want to feel more grounded, confident, and in control.

Together, we work toward greater self-awareness, healthier relationships, and practical strategies for creating lasting balance and change.

Therapeutic Approach

I help young adults and adults manage anxiety, trauma, and life transitions through a compassionate, collaborative approach.

Using Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, motivational interviewing, and trauma-informed care, I support individuals in building insight, coping skills, and confidence to create meaningful, lasting change.

Trauma-Informed, Collaborative Care

Vennis Nhem is a Massachusetts Licensed Mental Health Counselor (LMHC) and a second-year doctoral student in Clinical Psychology at William James College, where she is pursuing a concentration in health psychology. She earned her bachelor’s degree in psychology, with a minor in justice studies, and her master’s degree in clinical mental health counseling from Southern New Hampshire University.

Vennis has provided psychotherapy and behavioral health support to children, adolescents, adults, couples, and families across outpatient, community-based, hospital, and partial hospitalization settings. Earlier in her career, she provided therapeutic mentoring to adolescents and supported families involved in reunification services. She is especially excited to return to working with children and adolescents, helping young people feel understood, build confidence, and develop the skills they need to grow.

Vennis takes a trauma-informed, collaborative approach to therapy, recognizing that each person’s experiences, relationships, culture, identity, and environment shape how they navigate the world. She integrates Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) and Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) with mindfulness and somatic-based interventions. Her goal is to help individuals better understand themselves, manage difficult emotions, strengthen their relationships, and build lives that feel more aligned with their values.

Her clinical interests include trauma, life transitions, identity, relationships, family dynamics, sexuality and sex therapy, multicultural mental health, personal growth, clinician wellness and burnout, and the connection between mental and physical health. She is particularly passionate about serving underserved and minority communities and understanding how cultural and systemic experiences affect mental health and access to care. Vennis speaks English, Khmer, and Thai.

As she continues her doctoral training, Vennis is expanding her interests in research, psychological assessment, and program development. At North Andover Behavioral Health, she looks forward to helping individuals and families better understand themselves, build on their strengths, and develop practical tools for lasting well-being.