Hi, I'm Ahsti Mistry, LICSW

Together, We will

Build Coping Skills

Before delving into painful memories, I’ll help you develop tools to handle anxiety and distress. This might include deep breathing exercises, grounding techniques to bring you back to the present, or creating a safe visualization you can retreat to when feeling overwhelmed.

Process Traumatic Memories

When you feel ready, we’ll carefully explore your experiences. You’ll have the chance to tell your story at your own pace. 

By processing what happened with a supportive therapist, traumatic memories become less intense and more integrated, so they no longer control your daily life.

Address Negative Beliefs

Trauma often leaves us with harmful beliefs (“I’m not safe,” “It was my fault,” “I can’t trust anyone”). In therapy we will challenge and reframe these beliefs. You’ll learn to replace self-blame and fear with compassion and a renewed sense of personal strength.

Reconnect with Your Body

Traumatic stress can live on in the body through tension, aches, or feeling numb. I use gentle, trauma-informed techniques to help you notice and release physical stress. Simple practices like mindfulness meditation, progressive muscle relaxation, or even mindful movement can help calm an overactive nervous system and teach your body that it’s safe again.

Throughout our sessions, you are in control of what we discuss and how fast we go. My priority is creating a non-triggering, empowering environment where you feel safe to open up. If talking about something is too painful initially, that’s okay – we can focus on the present and what you need right now to feel more stable. There is no right or wrong way to heal from trauma; there is only what works for you.

Attachment-Based Therapy in Trauma Recovery

One of the approaches I offer is attachment-based therapy. This means I pay close attention to how your early life experiences and relationships might be impacting you now. Often, our deepest wounds come from relationships – for instance, a neglectful parent, an abusive partner, or lack of support when you needed it most. Attachment-based therapy recognizes that healing happens through healthy relationships too, including the therapeutic relationship.

In our work together, I provide a warm, trusting, and supportive presence so you can start to rebuild trust and feel safe being vulnerable. Many people with trauma, especially childhood or complex trauma, have learned to guard their hearts and expect others to hurt or abandon them. If that resonates with you, we will work on those attachment wounds gently and patiently. Over time, you can learn that not all relationships are hurtful – and that you deserve love, respect, and understanding.

Attachment-Based Trauma Therapy Can Help You To

Develop a Secure Base

In therapy, I am here for you consistently. That reliability can become a foundation (a secure base) that lets you explore painful feelings knowing you’re not alone.

Heal Inner Child Wounds

We may discuss your childhood experiences to understand how they shaped your beliefs about yourself and others. By giving voice to the hurt child or younger self inside you, we can begin to comfort and heal those old wounds.

Improve Current Relationships

As you heal, you might find it easier to connect with friends, partners, or family. We can practice communication and boundary-setting skills, so you feel more confident in relationships. Many clients tell me that as their trauma heals, they feel closer to loved ones and less isolated.

Attachment-based therapy is a holistic, empathetic approach. It’s especially helpful if you’ve experienced abandonment, abuse in relationships, or any trauma that left you feeling unloved or unsupported. By experiencing a positive, caring relationship in therapy, you can start to rewrite the narrative of what relationships mean. You can learn that you are worthy of care and that you can trust again, little by little.

Understanding the Impact of Trauma

Trauma can cast a long shadow over your life. You might be experiencing nightmares, flashbacks, or severe anxiety that won’t let up. Perhaps you feel constantly on edge, as if waiting for something bad to happen, or you avoid certain places, people, or conversations to escape painful memories. 

It’s also common to feel shame or guilt, even telling yourself that what happened was somehow your fault. In reality, trauma is not your fault – and you don’t have to carry its burden alone.

Many people think of trauma only as big events like accidents or assaults. In truth, trauma can also result from prolonged stress or smaller “little t” events that accumulate over time – for example, childhood abuse or neglect, bullying, or toxic relationships. 

In fact, about 70% of adults in the U.S. have experienced at least one traumatic event in their lifetime. 

Trauma affects both mind and body, often leaving you feeling disconnected from others or even from yourself. You might struggle with trust, find it hard to relax, or experience mood swings and anger that seem to come from nowhere. 

These are normal responses to abnormal events.

The good news is that with the right support, your brain and body can heal. 

Trauma therapy is designed to help you understand how your past is affecting you today and to gently work through those memories in a safe, controlled way. My role as your therapist is to guide you through that process at your own pace – ensuring you feel heard, validated, and never re-traumatized in therapy.

Compassionate PTSD Treatment in Boston, MA

Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) is a specific set of symptoms that some people develop after trauma. PTSD can include intrusive memories, avoiding reminders of the trauma, negative changes in mood and thinking, and hypervigilance (constantly feeling on alert). If you’re dealing with PTSD, you might feel detached from life, easily startled, or irritable and angry without knowing why. These symptoms can be exhausting and interfere with work, school, and relationships. The encouraging news is that PTSD is highly treatable with therapy and support.

I provide evidence-based PTSD treatment that is tailored to your needs. I stay up-to-date with the latest trauma therapy research and techniques – from trauma-focused cognitive-behavioral therapy to somatic (body-based) approaches. My style is integrative, meaning I draw from several modalities to find what works best for you. Some of the trauma therapy approaches I use include:

Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT)

Helps you identify and change unhelpful thought patterns related to the trauma.

Mindfulness and Grounding

Techniques to keep you present and reduce anxiety when trauma memories intrude.

Every individual is different. There’s no one-size-fits-all plan for trauma recovery, so I will collaborate with you on a therapy plan. We’ll set goals together – whether it’s sleeping through the night without nightmares, regaining a sense of joy and purpose, or simply not feeling panicked when something reminds you of the past – and work step by step to get there.

Why Choose Me as Your Therapist?

Choosing a therapist is a personal decision. There may be many therapists in Boston, but what’s most important is finding someone you feel comfortable with. Here’s what you can expect from Bee Insightful Therapy:

Expertise and Experience

Working in the field as a clinical social worker since 2017, I’ve helped people from all walks of life overcome trauma – including survivors of childhood abuse, sexual assault, domestic violence, accidents, and loss. I continually train in the most effective trauma treatment approaches to offer you the best care.

Holistic, Attachment-Focused Care

I look at you as a whole person – not just a list of symptoms. My attachment-based and trauma-informed perspective means I consider your unique history, culture, and personality in our work. We’ll address emotional, mental, and physical aspects of trauma for a thorough healing process.

Compassionate Support

Clients describe me as warm, non-judgmental, and patient. I know it takes courage to start therapy, and I respect that. It’s okay to have ups and downs in this journey. I will celebrate your progress and support you through setbacks. You will never be pressured to talk about something you’re not ready to, and your boundaries will always be respected.

Convenience and Flexibility

For those unable to find specialized PTSD therapists in Massachusetts near them or who prefer remote sessions, I also provide secure teletherapy. Whether you live in Boston, Cambridge, elsewhere in Massachusetts, I can work with you online. 

This makes getting help easier, especially if you’re juggling work, family, or other responsibilities.

Lastly, I am passionate about serving diverse communities. Having navigated multicultural environments myself, I understand the role that culture and identity can play in how we experience trauma and healing. My practice is LGBTQ+ affirming, culturally sensitive, and welcoming to everyone. You deserve to be heard and understood in the context of your life story.

Take the Next Step in Your Healing

You’ve survived the trauma – now it’s time to start living again, not just surviving. Moving forward is not about forgetting what happened, but about reducing its power over you so you can enjoy life with a sense of safety, connection, and hope. Imagine feeling comfortable in your own skin, cultivating trusting relationships, and looking toward the future with optimism. Trauma therapy can help you get there.

If you’re ready to reclaim your life from trauma, I’m here to help. Reaching out to find a therapist can feel daunting, but it’s a courageous step toward healing. I invite you to contact me for a free 15-minute consultation. This gives you a chance to ask questions and see if we’re a good fit. I’ll be happy to discuss how therapy works and what you’re looking for in counseling.

You don’t have to do this alone anymore. With empathy, proven techniques, and a deep commitment to your well-being, I will support you every step of the way. Healing is possible. Let’s work together to help you feel safe, whole, and empowered as you move forward.

Contact me today to schedule an appointment or to find out more about my therapy services. I look forward to guiding you on your journey from surviving to truly thriving. You deserve relief, and help is here when you’re ready.