Our Therapists
Sara Silva, LICSW
Sara Silva was born and raised in Lowell, Massachusetts of immigrant parents from the island of Graciosa, Azores-Portugal. She speaks Portuguese and Spanish as a result of her bicultural and ethnic upbringing. Sara attended Boston College as an undergraduate student and started her career working with neurotypical adults in residential settings. She returned to Boston College in 1996 to complete her graduate work in Clinical Social Work while working at the Massachusetts Department of Children and Families.
Sara's professional clinical career started in Lawrence, Massachusetts working for the public school system with elementary-aged students and their families full-time. Lowell Public Schools became her next home in early 2000 where she carried several roles as a Behavior Specialist, Crisis Interventionist and Special Education Social Worker. Her private practice work began in 2003 in Andover where she began specializing in helping adolescents, young adults and couples. Sara worked for the Lowell Public Schools for twenty years full-time while maintaining her private practice. In 2019, Sara moved to Greater Lawrence Technical School where she remains employed as a full-time Social Worker.
Avista Counseling was born out of a dream to support individuals of all ages achieve their full potential emotionally and socially. Sara's maternal grandmother was a role model for her in this process. Seeing the individual as a whole in all of their complexities and systems was something that was modeled for Sara her entire life. A professional training in clinical work has led to knowledge of various treatment modalities and interventions that can raise people above their challenges and struggles, both past and present, to reach a potential that is a healthier and happier, better version of themselves. 2022 has brought much growth to the Avista Counseling team. We have been fortunate to hire wonderful new clinicians who employ the same vision.
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Sara’s specialties include but are not limited to Adolescent Mental Health, Anxiety, Depression, Conflict Resolution, Marital/Conjugal Discord, Grief and Loss and Trauma. Sara is an LGBTQ affirming clinician.
Jaime Westaway, MA
Jaime has been working with the Greater Lawrence Community for 20+ years. Born and raised here, she has always had a passion for empowering people of all ages on their journey of personal growth, guiding clients through life’s challenges, and advocating for the mental wellness of the adolescents and young adults in the community. Jaime attended Westfield State University for her undergrad and received her bachelor's in Social Science with a concentration in Social work. In 2019, she received her Master’s in Clinical Mental Health Counseling with a specialization in School Adjustment Counseling from Lesley University.
Jaime's professional career began at the Merrimack Valley YMCA providing programming for school age children, teens, and young adults through child care, mentor programs, life skills training, and programming geared to the wellness of the entire person. Later in her career, Jaime worked at Lawrence High School and North Andover High School as a Special Education Adjustment Counselor and is currently a Clinical Interventionist at Greater Lawrence Technical School.
Jaime specialties include, but not limited to clients with anxiety, depression, grief and loss, and trauma. She also has vast experience working with special education students with social emotional and behavioral issues, as well as clients with executive functioning deficits. Jaime is an LGBTQIA+ affirming clinician
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Chris Plourde, LICSW
Chris is a Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker (LICSW) with over 21 years of experience as a counselor and now focuses primarily on working with couples. He has completed Level 1 Training in Gottman Method Couples Therapy and uses this evidence-based approach to help couples deepen connection, improve communication, manage conflict, and create shared meaning in their relationships.
Chris works with couples at many different stages, including those preparing for marriage, navigating long-term partnerships, parenting together, managing high-conflict situations, or preparing for the arrival of a baby. Whether a couple is looking to strengthen their bond or address ongoing challenges, Chris is committed to helping them improve their relationship dynamics and build a stronger, healthier partnership.
Having lived and worked in Massachusetts, Costa Rica, and Austin, TX, Chris brings a broad perspective to his work with diverse communities. He is proficient in Spanish and has extensive experience supporting clients from a variety of cultural backgrounds, ensuring that all couples feel heard, respected, and supported throughout the therapy process.
Chris holds a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology from Bates College and a Master’s in Social Work from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. He is a member of both the American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy (AAMFT) and the National Association of Social Workers (NASW). His approach is compassionate, client-centered, and grounded in understanding each couple’s unique goals and needs. Chris is also an LGBTQ+-affirming clinician.
Careers with Avista
There is always a place for great people at Avista. If you are a licensed therapist in Massachusetts and are interested in joining the Avista team, please reach out to Sara Silva through our contact page.
978-609-8445