About | Restorative Health & Wellness

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.

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 15 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 and has 15 years of experience in social work. She is an independently licensed social worker in MA and is also a Certified Holistic Practitioner, a Certified mindfulness Informed practitioner, Certified Trauma Informed practitioner, Level 1 certified Reiki and Energy Healer and also possesses a Mindful Communities Trauma informed Yoga Practitioner Certificate from the Veterans Yoga Project. Shalonda is an E300 hour yoga teacher working towards her EY500 hour certificate, She is the founder of Restorative Health and Wellness a private therapy practice 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.

Asia Higginson, LCSW

"I wake up everyday grateful for another day of life and living. The first thing I do is meditate. I leave yesterday’s worries and mistakes behind because it’s a new day and I get another chance to start over."

As a practitioner, I value holistic healing, and am passionate about working with families, and individuals. I enjoy seeing how the restorative power of healing, in conjunction with evidence-based theories, can have a transformational impact in the lives of peopleI have been privileged to serve. I have worked with families/ individuals struggling with strained family relationships, intergenerational trauma and challenges as well as, individuals dealing with depression, trauma, addictions and anxiety. I have obtained a wealth of knowledge and understanding with trauma, mood disorders, grief work, and women’s issues. I consider myself spiritual, compassionate and eager to help others manage their life in a more holistic manner.

I am experienced with CBT and MBCT. I have been working in the human services field since 2015 in various capacities. I have obtained a Masters of Social Work Degree from Westfield State and have years of experiencing supporting school aged youth, young adults and adults in working on their therapeutic goals. I am now accepting new clients during after school hours, evening hours, nights, and weekend appointments. I look forward to helping you work towards your goals.

Khiya Price, MSW

"When I open my eyes, I express Gratitude for a new day. If I feel an unsupportive emotion showing up, I recognize that I’m not living in the present moment. I, then, have the power and ability to choose presence."

Hello, my name is Khiya. I am a pre-licensed clinician with an MSW from Westfield State University. While I have worked with clients experiencing a wide range of mental health challenges, I am particularly passionate about helping school age kids, Adolescents, and young adults learn how to develop coping skills to navigate daily life stressors .The majority of my practice focuses on supporting individuals with anxiety,depression, ADHD as well as, strained family dynamics, issues in school or educational environments and self esteem. My approach is strength-based grounded in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), which focuses on identifying and changing negative thought patterns that can lead to problematic behaviors. My clinical work I utilize Cognitive Behavioral Therapy to emphasize a client's strengths and build on their existing abilities to resolve challenges. I look forward to working with you to reach your therapeutic goals. I am available to work with clients Tuesday/ Thursday during the day into the evening.

Madeleine Smith MSW, LCSW

"I dream of being a beach bum. I want to have a friend like me when I grow up."

Madeleine Smith is very passionate about mental health and wellness. Madeleine loves to travel and explore different cultures. She has been working in the human services field for over 20 years in many different capacities. She is a fierce advocate for social justice and equality. Madeleine is very strength based and believes in meeting clients where they are and building a successful therapeutic relationship with them in order to better meet their needs. Madeleine obtained her Masters of Social Work from Springfield College in 2007 and has a Bachelors Degree from the University of Massachusetts Amherst. She has worked as a Residential Counselor, Crisis Clinician, United Way Specialist, Field Instructor for Westfield State University and Springfield College. For the past 14 years, Madeleine has worked as a social worker with families.

Sarah Framarin (MSW Clinical Intern)

“Self-care is not selfish. You cannot serve from an empty vessel.” – Eleanor Brown

Sarah Framarin is in her second year of the MSW program at Westfield State University. She has been a certified child life specialist for eleven years, working with pediatric patients and families in the greater Springfield area. Sarah integrates the concepts of positive psychology to meet each client where they're at on their journey to achieving wellness of the mind, body and spirit. Sarah's professional interests include the impact of childhood trauma on the lifespan, living well with chronic illness, and overall personal wellness including time management, goal setting, and habit formation.