Meet Our Team

Caroline Aller, LICSW (she/her), Founder and Clinical Director

Caroline founded Amherst Cognitive Therapy after relocating her private practice from New York City to the Pioneer Valley. A Diplomate Member of the Academy of Cognitive Therapy, Caroline has trained with both Aaron Beck and Judith Beck at the Beck Institute, completed advanced level trainings with the Behavioral Therapy Training Institute (BTTI) in the treatment of OCD and has received additional training in Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, Dialectical Behavioral Therapy, and Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction (MBSR).

Caroline is passionate about building a team of experts providing goal-oriented, effective therapy specializing in anxiety disorders.

Deborah Ford, LMHC, ATR-BC (she/her)

Deborah is a licensed psychotherapist with over 20 years of clinical experience in the mental health field. She has received advanced trainings in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT), Trauma Sensitive Yoga, and several certifications in Advanced Trauma Treatment. She has been combining clinical psychology and skills based techniques with creative expression, mindfulness, somatic interventions in private practice as well as at McLean Hospital, Boston. She is also a Graduate School Adjunct Professor of counseling at Lesley University Cambridge.

Deborah’s therapeutic approach is rooted in a relational framework and utilizes cognitive behavioral strategies and mindfulness with a strengths-based lens and a deep appreciation for people’s natural resilience. She specializes in treating a wide range of mental health issues including anxiety, trauma, depression, and related mood disorders and symptoms. Her work is collaborative to help her clients identify goals, gain insight, and create realistic treatment plans targeted to each client’s particular therapeutic need.

Ateka Mirza, LCSW (she/her)

Ateka Mirza, LCSW received her Bachelor’s Degree from Mount Holyoke College and her Masters of Social Work from Simmons College where she specialized in Cognitive Behavioral Theory, Spirituality and Social Work, and Attachment and Neurobiology.

Ateka has worked in multiple capacities in Mental Health, as a direct care counselor at the Hampstead Hospital; an in home family therapist with elementary school aged children at You Inc. in Southbridge, MA, a College Counselor at Mount Holyoke College, and as as a full time Psychotherapist in Springfield, MA focusing on stabilization work with complex trauma and providing psychotherapy to children, teens, and adults struggling with symptoms of anxiety, depression, and hopelessness.

With a keen interest and focus on working with client’s identity development, relational issues, anxiety and depression, family therapy, and providing academic support, Ateka practices from a strength based perspective, primarily relying on CBT and Internal Family Systems (IFS).

Ateka offers sessions in English, Urdu, and Hindi.

Katherine M. Putnam, Ph.D. (she/her)

Dr. Katherine “Kathy” Putnam received her Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology from Stony Brook University and has aligned her clinical practice and research with evidence-based practice, specializing in CBT for depression, anxiety, chronic pain, and PTSD for over 30 years. Her practice is also rooted in mindfulness, as self-awareness—of both the therapist and the client—is a necessary ingredient to successful outcomes in psychotherapy.

Kathy’s advanced training includes certification in CBT, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), Mindfulness-based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT), Smoking Cessation, and both Prolonged Exposure (PE) and Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT).

Having spent over 20 years in public service treating Veterans of the United States Military for combat and sexual trauma, Kathy cares deeply for those who suffer from emotional and/or medical disorders, who may feel alienated and need a safe space to be understood, supported, validated, and offered psychotherapy that works. For many years, she has had the pleasure and honor of helping clients experience a significant reduction in symptoms of depression and anxiety and achieve life goals that they have identified as important.

Kim Wright, M.Ed, LMHC, NCC (she/her), Clinical Director of Child and Parent Services

Kim has worked with children, adolescents, and their families for over thirty years. She began her career as an elementary school educator before serving as ​director of a youth center where she led therapeutic mentoring programs and fostered strong collaboration among families, schools, and community partners. Prior to joining Amherst Cognitive Therapy, Kim worked as a psychotherapist with adolescents at an independent boarding school specializing in support for students with learning differences.

As Clinical Director of Child and Parent Services, Kim provides leadership and clinical guidance to the practice’s child-and family-focused services. In this role, she supports program development, consultation, and collaboration among clinicians, while helping to ensure evidenced based, developmentally informed, and family-centered care.

Kim practices a holistic, systems-oriented approach to therapy, working with the individual as well as their family, school, and broader environment She values collaboration with parents and caregivers as an essential component of effective treatment and tailors her approach to meet the unique needs of each client.

Kim prioritizes creating a warm, nonjudgmental space where clients of all ages can explore thoughts and emotions, identify strengths, and set meaningful goals toward positive change. She is experienced in cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), dialectical behavior therapy (DBT), and is a SPACE (Supportive Parenting for Anxious Childhood Emotions) trained provider.​ Kim works with neurodivergent and neurotypical adolescents, young adults, and adults and supports clients experiencing anxiety, phobias, OCD, depression, autism, ADHD, and a range of learning differences.

Raquel Sherman, LMHC (she/her), Certified Synergetic Play Therapist

Raquel is a warm and curious clinician who brings thoughtfulness, creativity, and compassion to the therapeutic process. Deeply interested in the human experience, Raquel works with people of all ages.

Raquel integrates Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) with other modalities such as Synergetic Play Therapy to help clients reach their goals. Her clinical experience includes managing anxiety, OCD, ADHD, neurodivergence, grief, attachment trauma, depression, phobias, and body focused repetitive behaviors.

Raquel creates a therapeutic space where all clients— children, adolescents, and adults—feel safe and supported as they move through the healing process. While the path may look different depending on a client’s age and concerns, the goal is the same: to help people live happier, more fulfilling lives. When working with children and families, Raquel values a collaborative approach—engaging with parents, caregivers, teachers, and other support staff to create a consistent and supportive environment. 

Raquel’s professional journey began as a high school teacher of Chemistry and Psychology and her passion for helping others learn and grow led her to a career in mental health. Raquel holds a Bachelor’s degree in Secondary Education from the University of Michigan (Go Blue!) and a Master’s degree in Counseling and Career Development from Colorado State University. She is completing the supervised hours required for independent licensure in Massachusetts and is directly overseen by our most senior staff.

Before joining Amherst Cognitive Therapy, Raquel worked at the University of Northern Colorado Counseling Center and River Valley Counseling Center, where she served as both a School-Based Clinician and an Educator Support Clinician.