Psychotherapist Brooklyn, NYC

For ten years before I started working as a therapist, I edited a publication written by parents trying to create healing and societal change after the government removed their children from their custody. Editing parents’ traumatic stories for publication was an intensive process of discussion and exploration; it often took several months for a parent to produce a single story. Together, we would track themes and patterns, pull out complexities, and find strengths and meaning where government officials found only pathology. I also had the privilege of witnessing people overcome shame, grow from tragedy, begin to heal intergenerational wounds, speak out against injustice, change public policy and perception, and find their voices in the world.

As a therapist, I draw on many of the same skills that I developed as an editor. I work with clients to notice lifelong patterns and connect to, understand, and develop compassion for all the parts of themselves, including parts they normally feel ashamed of. Through this process, we look to find the freedom for them to become more of who they are and want to be. I have an informal and interactive style—I often laugh with my clients—and I show up with a humility that grows from an awareness of my own ongoing struggles. As when I was an editor, I feel grateful for the opportunity to partner with clients as they find their way forward and to learn from their strengths.

I integrate a variety of approaches, including parts work, cognitive processing of schemas and core beliefs, and the building of mindful awareness of physiological and emotional reactions. I also regularly provide psychoeducation about the brain and body, trauma, attachment, anxiety, and different therapeutic modalities. All of these interventions aim at allowing clients to relate to what is happening within themselves with greater awareness, curiosity, and flexibility.

I enjoy working with and learning from all types of people with all kinds of life experiences. One particular area I often focus on with clients is deepening their relationships through conflict. Rather than getting stuck in the groundhog’s day of endlessly repeating the same surface arguments, we explore how to use conflict as an opportunity for them and the important people in their lives to better know each other and care for each other’s core needs and vulnerabilities.

From many years of working with and writing about parents, through training in parent-child relationships; and as the mother of a teenager and wonderful human being who has both Type 1 Diabetes and ADHD, I bring a special sensitivity to working with clients who want to feel greater confidence, connection, and pleasure in their role as parents. This includes parents with their own trauma histories and parents of children with differences and disabilities. Because of my writing background, I also have an affinity for working with writers and artists and the special challenges that come with being driven to fulfill the extra (and often unpaid or poorly paid) need for creative expression.

I continue to write about and do advocacy work related to the injustices of family separation. In my free time, I play tennis, read, write, cook, spend time in Prospect Park, and enjoy my family.

Professional Development:

• Janina Fisher’s Trauma Treatment Certification Training via Pesi (parts work)
•  Complete IFS Therapy Immersion via Pesi
• Minding the Heart with Tori Olds—a 6-month class integrating experiential
  therapy approaches
• Radical Parts Therapy Group with Ilana Simons-3-month group using play and creativity to explore parts
• Solution-Focused Therapy for the Treatment of Trauma via the Institute for
  Solution-Focused Therapy
• The Highly Sensitive Person training via Adelphi University
• Keys to Interactive Parenting Training-KIPS
• Postpartum Anxiety, Rage, and Burnout: Compassionate Clinical Strategies to
  Keep Mom and Baby Safe and Thriving via Pesi
• Pat Ogden’s Complex Trauma Master Class: Sensorimotor Psychotherapy in
  Action via Pesi
• Peter Levine’s Trauma Master Class via Pesi
• Somatic Therapy for Complex Trauma Certification Training with Abi Blakeslee
  via Pesi
• Complicated Grief Treatment: A Case-Based Approach via Columbia School of
  Social Work
• 2-Day Intensive Training Mindfulness Certification Course via Pesi
• Certified ADHD Professional Intensive Training Course via Pesi
• Acceptance & Commitment Therapy for Substance Abuse, Eating Disorders, Anxiety, Depression, Self-Injury, PTSD, Psychosis, and More via Pesi
• Rewire the Anxious Brain: Neuroscience-Informed Treatment of Anxiety, Panic and Worry via Pesi

Specialties:

• Anxiety
• Trauma
• Depression
• Life Transitions
• Creativity
• Parenting
•  Disabilities
• Relationships
•  Self Esteem