“Being human is not about feeling happy, it’s about feeling everything.”
Gretchen Hale-West, LPC
Hi! My name is Gretchen Hale-West (She/Her), and I am a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) and the Community Engagement & Outreach Coordinator at Well Life Therapy. Beginning therapy, whether for the first time or not, can be a very intimidating and overwhelming process. My hope is to help make you feel more at ease with this process by providing a safe environment where you feel heard and understood. Asking for help requires immense strength and bravery that deserve to be nourished, supported, and recognized. Change can be frightening, but you do not have to go through it alone.
I earned my Master’s Degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from Springfield College. While I’ve primarily worked with adults so far in my career, I have been able to help individuals struggling with various challenges, including substance use/addiction, trauma, anxiety, depression, and challenging life transitions. I have experience with Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Motivational Interviewing, Person-Centered (Rogerian) Therapy, and various strength-based approaches.
The partnership between a client and their therapist is one of the most important aspects of therapy. That is why I believe in an empathetic, caring, and collaborative approach to sessions. I aim to provide a space where the client feels comfortable discussing difficult challenges they are facing. By working together, we can identify ways to cope and heal from these experiences at the client’s own pace.
Gretchen participates with Aetna, Anthem BC/BS, and Husky only.
Gretchen has in-person appointments on Mondays and Thursdays.
A Little More About Me
My free time is often spent on the softball field, coaching for a local Travel Team organization. During the off-season, I enjoy spending time at the beach hunting for sea glass, fishing, and spending time with my dog, Macie.

