Alyssa Goff

Hiiii! I'm Alyssa ◡̈

With over 10 years of experience working with children and families in hospitals, group homes, and therapeutic settings, I specialize in treating young children and adolescents. I have a unique expertise in treating individuals on the Autism Spectrum, as well as those with OCD, trichotillomania, and ADHD. Many people come to me for treatment using Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP), the gold standard approach for treating Obsessive Compulsive Disorder and other similar anxiety disorders such as trichotillomania, dermatiliomania, & many phobias.

I also feel deeply called to work with women who are experiencing infertility, as well as perinatal anxiety and mood disorders related to pregnancy, childbirth, and the postpartum period. My passion for this work led me to create Saltwater Roots, the nation’s first infertility-focused mental health intensive. Through this expressive arts therapist-led program, I’ve created a space for individuals navigating infertility, IVF, pregnancy loss, stillbirth, and the emotional complexities of building a family to receive deeper therapeutic support, connect with others who truly understand, and feel less alone during an often isolating season.

I believe in creating a warm, open, and nonjudgmental space where healing is supported by a holistic, trauma-informed approach. My goal is to help clients build the tools they need to cope with life’s stressors in a compassionate, culturally sensitive environment. My style draws from a range of therapies—play therapy and expressive arts for children, and mindfulness, movement, and art for adults. I incorporate nature-based therapy, a mind-body approach, and EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) to help clients process difficult experiences and foster healing, resilience, and growth.

I am also the creator of the SHORE™ Nervous System Reset, my signature framework designed to help children and families move through moments of overwhelm with greater ease, connection, and regulation. SHORE™ is featured inside the Coastal Calm Kit™, a therapist-designed on-the-go co-regulation kit I created to bring these tools and strategies into everyday moments for families.

I graduated with a bachelor’s in Child Development from the University of Rhode Island and earned my master’s in Clinical Mental Health Counseling and Dance Movement Therapy from Lesley University. I am a registered dance movement therapist (R-DMT) and a licensed mental health counselor (LMHC) in Massachusetts and Rhode Island. My experience includes working at Bradley Hospital’s Pediatric OCD and Anxiety Clinic, as well as working as a certified child life specialist (CCLS) at Shriners Hospitals for Children, Massachusetts General Hospital, and Newton-Wellesley Hospital. I’ve also worked at the Department of Children and Families and a domestic violence shelter as a clinician.

Outside of owning Coastal, you’ll probably find me at the beach with my family and our Boston Terrier, Giuseppe—who’s convinced that chasing seagulls is his full-time job! ◡̈ I grew up as a ballerina, which deeply shaped my lifelong love of movement and creative expression. These days, I’m an avid yogi and love incorporating mindfulness and movement into my daily life. I’m also a proud Swiftie, an avid reader of romance novels, and have a soft spot for mermaids and all things pink!

I’m excited to get to know you and your family, and I’m honored that you’re considering Coastal Counseling Associates for your family’s mental health care. Thank you from the bottom of my heart.