PVMH Providers
Rick Cookish MSW, LICSW
NOT ACCEPTING NEW PATIENTS
My name is Rick Cookish and I'm the owner of Pioneer Valley Mental Health. My healthcare journey started 20 years ago when I worked as an emergency medical technician in Springfield, Massachusetts. Driven by my love of people and making a difference in the lives of others, I discovered my passion for listening to people and talking with them through their concerns. At that time, I decided to pursue a degree in social work from Elms College, where I learned about the systems that contribute to a person's needs and systems that promote a person's strengths. I then earned my Master's Degree in social work from Saint Louis University, which is when my journey as a therapist truly began.
My clinical work started in group therapy, followed by working individually with adults, children, and families. I'm passionate about mental health and have immersed myself in furthering my education and involvement in the field. I served a term on the National Association of Social Workers Board of Directors and work as an adjunct professor of research at Elms College, where I also speak to prospective students and future clinicians. I decided to become a therapist because I love and believe in people. I fully believe that everybody can improve their lives. My role as a therapist is to listen, reflect, and guide without judgment. I emphasize learning about you, your concerns, and how to work together on your goals. If something can be measured, it can be changed. I believe that everybody can make positive changes for themselves.
Christopher Driscoll
MSW, LCSW
ACCEPTING NEW PATIENTS
My name is Christopher Driscoll, and I’m a therapist at Pioneer Valley Mental Health. My path to becoming a therapist has been shaped by nearly two decades of experience in law enforcement, where I witnessed firsthand the impact of trauma on first responders, veterans, and the communities we serve. Over time, I realized how much I valued listening, supporting, and showing up for others—and that realization led me to pursue a new direction in clinical social work.
I earned my Master’s Degree in Clinical Social Work from Saint Louis. My training included working in crisis co-response with mental health clinicians embedded in police departments, and providing individual and group therapy for veterans at a VA outpatient clinic. These experiences confirmed my passion for trauma-informed care and reinforced my commitment to serving those often overlooked when it comes to emotional and psychological support.
I primarily work with adults who are dealing with trauma, PTSD, anxiety, grief, and depression—especially those in public safety and military roles. I draw from approaches like acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT), mindfulness-based techniques, and psychoeducation to help clients better understand and manage their experiences.
As someone who has worked in high-stress, high-stakes environments, I understand how hard it can be to ask for help—and how powerful it can be when you do. I believe that therapy should be a space where people feel safe, respected, and genuinely understood. My role is to meet you where you are, without judgment, and work alongside you as you move toward healing and growth.