Restorative Health and Wellness is a holistic mental health group practice dedicated to the health and well being of Black and Brown people and people who have historically been marginalized. Restorative Health and Wellness recognizes that the choice to focus on ones health has to do with not any individual faults but the stress society exerts on us all.
If you are experiencing issues or stressors related to work, raising your family, a romantic relationship, intergenerational family conflict, feeling stuck, unhappy or unhealthy we would love to assist you in navigating those circumstances. It is a common misconception that one has to have a significant mental health issue or ‘something wrong’ as an individual to access therapy nothing could be further from the truth one just has to be human as we all experience hardships and difficulties. Therapy offers you an unbiased, safe space to talk out any and all issues you may be experiencing.
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Restorative Health and Wellness has clinicians primarily of color that are culturally competent and trained in multiple different therapeutic modalities including Strength based and person centered approaches, Cognitive Based Therapy. Additionally, RHW offers regular and restorative yoga groups/ classes, several groups and, has a reiki practitioner and nutritional counselor.
Shalonda Edwards MSW, LICSW
"I wake up, do yoga, go to the office, light incense, and put on my trap music while I drink my tea."
Shalonda Edwards MSW, LICSW is the Founding Clinician of Restorative Health and Wellness. She is a Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker LICSW with 16 years of clinical experience and yoga teacher who ethically integrates holistic and somatic modalities including Breathwork, Mindfulness, and, trauma informed yoga and meditation into her work with clients. As an avid yoga practitioner and teacher Shalonda has recognized the important benefits of facilitating a mind body connection via yoga/ somatic practices.
Shalonda is a graduate of the University of Connecticut School of Social Work and Westfield State University. Shalonda is licensed and currently practices in CT and MA and has several advanced certifications including; Certified Holistic Therapist, Trauma Informed Practitioner, Liberation Psychology, Sound Healing Certificate,Energy Healing Certificate, Reiki Level 1 Training, Trauma Informed Breathwork Facilitator, Mindfulness Informed Practitioner Certification,Trauma Informed Energy and Sound Healer, Yin Yoga Training and is a RYT500. Shalonda has clinical specialties and advanced training in: recovery from familial and relational trauma and abuse, recovery from narcissistic relationships, family estrangement and support navigating toxic family dynamics, neurodivergence (adhd, autism, PTSD),supporting high achievers that have a history of people pleasing and struggle to assert boundaries.
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Shalonda, given her immense experience, is sought after for individual clinical consultation in families/ educational institutions supporting children who are neurodiverse as well as providing trainings, panel expertise, education and clinical consultation to private clients, clinicians, non profits, educational institutions, governmental agencies and businesses on topics within her areas of expertise. Shalonda also acts as an adjunct faculty member and field advisor for graduate students in Social Work programs and her practice serves as a site for internship placements. Shalonda is an avid learner and enjoys traveling the country to attend various trainings and learn new modalities, she often provided clinical expertise and support to others clinicians as well. She is the founder of Restorative Health and Wellness and takes pride in her business being the first Black owned Holistic private therapy practice in Western Massachusetts. Restorative Health and Wellness serves the greater MA/CT area with a Holistic lens that seeks to ethically integrate these practices into our work with clients and to offer them to the community at large.
Shalonda is a lifelong resident of Springfield, MA and has a vested interest in ensuring that communities of color and underserved communities have access to Holistic and Somatic modalities and clinical care that demonstrates cultural humility as well as ensuring clinicians particularly of color have access to competent clinical support and training that demonstrates cultural humility and takes a decolonized approach.
Laura James, MSW
Laura Jaimes is a Social Worker with a Masters in Social Work from NYU and a Bachelors Degree in Sociology from Tufts University.
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Laura has extensive experience in supporting individuals navigating oppression, domestic violence, burnout and trauma. She has substantial training in social work and experience in frontline crisis work and community organizing. She has done research in cross cultural trauma recovery including somatic practices such as yoga for PTSD and studied cultural approaches to healing. She has supported many survivors of domestic and interpersonal violence and abuse. Laura also is trained as a yoga teacher and has experience utilizing somatic interventions to support her clients clinically.
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Laura has traveled the world supporting oppressed populations in Uganda, India and Colombia as well as in Native American Nations. She currently provides virtual trauma therapy to individuals who experience activist burnout and in recovery from abusive relationships. She has substantial experience facilitating healing circles,mobilizing grassroots efforts and providing direct services and supports to high risk communities. She provides culturally and trauma sensitive therapy and psychosocial crisis support to people disillusioned by the system, especially to folks of the global majority. Laura is an expert in support of oppressed communities, community organizing, environmental justice and trauma-sensitive psychotherapy and providing culturally attuned care. She has particular experience supporting individuals who are processing anti-racism as well as navigating transracial adoptions.
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She is looking forward to serving clients who may have a history of trauma, including toxic or challenging family dynamics or romantic relationships, who experienced abuse or trauma within their community or are struggling with the impact of racism, oppression or burnout particularly amongst other healthcare professionals or service oriented individuals. Laura believes in prioritizing relationship and rapport building with clients and has an appreciation for the growth that can happen when individuals are engaged in deep therapeutic work.
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Laura splits her time between New Mexico and Connecticut and enjoys hiking, perusing local markets, and spending time with her dog. Laura is available Tuesday and Wednesday from 11-7 and, currently has no waitlist for clients.
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Rayhana Stephens-Jones, LMHC
Hello, my name is Rayhana Washington and I am a Licensed Mental Health Counselor in MA. I am passionate about helping individuals to achieve clarity and regulation, particularly as they navigate life transitions. I have experience supporting individuals in understanding and processing challenging family dynamics, breaking relationship cycles, setting boundaries, learning to prioritize self, divorce, parenting, anxiety, and depression amongst other things. I specialize in teaching my clients how to manage stress, improve relationships, enhance performance, and identifying triggers/patterns in their life that no longer serve them.
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The majority of my practice focuses on addressing the common struggles that my clients face, such as anxiety, depression, relationship conflicts, self-esteem issues, setting boundaries. I approach therapy from a cognitive-behavioral, humanistic, and somatic approach, integrating various modalities to tailor the treatment to the unique needs of each individual. My goal is to create a supportive and collaborative environment where clients feel empowered to make positive changes in their lives. I look forward to working with you.
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I'm an avid reader and a lifelong resident of Western, MA. Graduated from University of Phoenix and attended Cambridge College for graduate school. I loves traveling especially taking road trips to clear my mind.
Stephan Wolfert, LCSW
I am a licensed certified social worker (LCSW) in Massachusetts, a military veteran, and a classically trained actor with an MFA and a Master of Social Work (MSW) with a certificate in trauma practice. I work virtually with adult individuals navigating trauma, identity, and transition—especially those impacted by complex PTSD, childhood neglect, and military service. My clinical focus includes supporting clients dealing with anxiety, depression, suicidal ideation, and non-suicidal self-injury (NSSI).I have recently completed Emotional Freedom Technique Level 1 Tapping certification through ACEP and look forward to sharing this in my clinical practice.
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I bring a unique, integrative approach that blends neuroscience, embodiment, and narrative practices, rooted in both professional training and personal lived experience. As someone who has worked in the fields of trauma healing and expressive arts for over two decades, I believe deeply in the power of connection, creativity, and compassionate presence.
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In addition to my clinical practice, I am the founding director of DE-CRUIT®, an evidence-based trauma recovery program that uses classical theater—especially Shakespeare—as a tool for healing. My work has been featured in over 20 peer-reviewed publications, and I regularly present at conferences such as the International Trauma Conference, the Trauma Research Foundation, and the Psychotherapy Networker Symposium.
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I am supervised by Shalonda Edwards, MSW, LICSW. I am honored to be part of the Restorative Health & Wellness team, offering a space of care, restoration, and culturally responsive healing.