Art Therapy in New York, NY

Are you struggling with barriers (whether past or present) to creating the life you want? Have you been talking to therapists over the years with little change? Or have the feeling that your words are covering over rather than opening up? I work with adults from an expressive point of view. My focus is on helping you to find a sense of order and meaning from inner chaos. Together we will explore what has gone on in your life, where you want to go, and what is keeping you from doing this with ease. I welcome the opportunity to accompany you, support, and respectfully witness your process.

Creative practices can often be a safer and more direct way of expressing, experiencing and understanding the most challenging emotions. I'm a creative arts therapist who has been working in clinical settings in the NYC area for over five years. I integrate my experience as a performer in Jazz, improvised and World music as well as my zen practice of over ten years into a unique and effective approach to therapy. Using both verbal psychotherapy and creative art mediums in a safe and supportive environment I work to guide the therapeutic process towards achieving a client's unique goals.

I am a Jungian Analyst with over 30 years of experience as a therapist and supervisor in a variety of settings including psychiatric hospitals, outpatient mental health clinics and private practice. My focus is on individual adults and couples who experience relationship issues, anxiety, depression and are searching for meaning in their lives. I explore repeating patterns that prevent individuals from living life to the fullest and try to find other possibilities in dealing with difficult situations. I believe that it is when we experience these difficult times that the greatest potential and most fulfilling change can occur.

In my practice, I implement a trauma informed approach, integrating processes from Gestalt Therapy, Attachment Theory, and Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT) through a Humanistic lens. Through training with both children and adults with various backgrounds, ethnicities, identities, and cognitive abilities, I understand the importance of cultural competence in the path of starting therapy. As a queer and transgender non-binary therapist myself, my practice additionally specializes in an LGBTQ+ affirmative approach.

ADHD has become a widely recognized challenge that can be treated medically as well as non-medically. Depending on the child or adult and their specific circumstances and needs, we can help. To assess and diagnose, we have experienced psychiatrists and psychologists on staff. Once diagnosed, if medication is warranted as a part of the treatment plan, the psychiatrist would continue in his/her role as the prescribing physician. He/she would communicate with the other clinicians in the center who, as part of the treatment team, would have non-medical roles in the effective treatment of ADHD and its associated conditions.

You can expect genuine compassion and quality care. I listen with an open heart and draw from my 20+ years of experience. I will collaborate with you and help create a clearer understanding of your goals. Doing this will help us track how you are progressing in your recovery. You will always have real-time knowledge at your fingertips of how you are doing in your therapy journey. My therapeutic training and background are in Art Therapy, Neuropsychotherapy, EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization & Processing), Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Family Therapy. I tailor treatment to your unique needs.

I help people who are suffering from depression, chronic disease and PTSD restore health, manage stress and overcome limiting beliefs so they can feel empowered and vibrant again. When one’s authentic self is blocked, mental health issues can form and grow into depression, addiction, anxiety, phobias etc. Hypnosis, somatics and art therapy are some of the powerful modalities I use to help bring balance and union between the conscious and unconscious mind. Through Hypnosomatics we cultivate wellness in the entire personality, that helps people see their true self, rather than who they present to the world.

I worked with individuals with trauma, depression, anxiety, and relationship issues. I see strengths in every human being, and I support my clients with creativity and compassion to transform their unique experiences and wounds into what is serving their life purpose.

As a multicultural mental health counselor, I am deeply committed to honoring diversity in all its forms and creating a safe, inclusive space where every individual's unique experiences are valued and respected. Whether you're a teenager navigating the complexities of adolescence, an adult striving for personal fulfillment, or a couple seeking to strengthen your bond, I am here to offer guidance and support every step of the way. I work with individuals wanting to cope with a plethora of issues such as anxiety, depression, trauma, couples' issues, substance related issues, sexual abuse, queer identifying, life management, etc.

First be curious. We tend to think of ourselves as we have been in the past, rather than seeing ourselves in the present moment. Therapy allows a fresh start toward self-knowledge. Learning to express yourself without judgment will give you new perspectives. Anxiety, life transitions, coping skills and self-regulation are issues that can be helped with therapy. If you have past traumas that affect you, expressive therapies together with AF-EMDR (if appropriate) can help release what the body has held on to...sometimes therapy needs to include both verbal and non-verbal means to be effective.

I am passionate about living life in the present moment and deeply value mindfulness as an accessible internal resource to help alleviate stress and anxiety. Many people I see are looking for an alternative to traditional talk therapy. My comprehensive training in psychotherapy and art therapy brings a diverse element to my sessions. I have been practicing for fifteen years with the majority of my professional experience focusing on children and families. My private practice includes supporting young people and professionals through life changes. Often, these individuals hope to find more direction and/or deeper meaning in their own experiences.

I'm a thoughtful and nonjudgmental listener that views therapy as a dynamic partnership—founded on mutual openness, care, and respect. I see individuals as the best experts of their lived experience and when given active and holistic support can discover their inner strengths and preferred life directions. I strive to be person-centered, trauma-informed, and relational, while paying attention to the impact power dynamics, social expectations and structures have on people and the counseling process.

I provide a safe therapeutic treatment space for those within and outside the LGBTQ/QI 2-S+ spectrum, GNC/Non-Binary, and BDSM/Kink community. I have extensive experience working with individuals who have been diagnosed as Differently-Abled/Special Needs/ASD/Neuroatypical/ Neurodivergent or with an Intellectual and Emotional Disability.

I believe the therapeutic process is a partnership, rooted in trust, and cultivated within a safe, supportive, and non-judgmental environment. I utilize techniques from a variety of treatment frameworks to meet each client's individual needs. Examples include attachment-oriented, person-centered and trauma-informed approaches, sensorimotor and somatic psychotherapy, CBT, DBT, and motivational interviewing. My work is grounded in empathy, authenticity, unconditional respect, and multicultural consciousness, and I always consider how the intersection of one’s personal identity, society, and culture impacts their daily experiences.

Currently, I am the founder of Lionheart Psychotherapy, a mental health practice that offers online therapy and hosts mental health events. An ideal client for Lionheart clinicians or myself can be coming from any life experience, as long as their needs and goals focus on self-understanding, self-compassion, and healing. Therapy can be challenging but it should also be a safe space to hold realizations, pain, growth, joy and release. An ideal client is willing to embrace this process.

I welcome anyone who is looking to explore ways to improve their quality of life, whether it is due to life transitions, relationship conflicts, creative blocks, or managing emotional challenges. Through consistent and committed work together, we can identify the root of where troubling patterns have begun and develop strategies to help you gain balance, strength, and personal fulfillment. I have experience working with people who are seeking meaning in their lives and are looking to create a full, creative life.

Welcome! I help my clients develop tools to remove obstacles that stand in the way of their happiness and prevent them from tapping into the innate wisdom that each of us possesses. I incorporate Eastern philosophy and meditation with contemporary psychology in creating an open space in which healing can unfold. My process is strongly influenced by mindfulness and cognitive behavioral approaches.

Each of us has a unique personal history defining who we are, and how we function in the world in positive and problematic ways. By understanding formative influences we can free ourselves from patterns of thinking and behavior holding us back. I work with individuals and couples to help identify past experiences, and feelings, emotions, and patterns of behavior in present life and relationships that stand in the way of a deepening sense of identity. I bring an eclectic background to my work with patients, informed by a long history of engagement in the arts, and a thirty year career in the mental health field.

I greatly value my time working with people who are grieving or dealing with anxiety because there can be immediate feelings of relief once therapy starts even while lasting changes come over time. My goal is to create a space for each person to show up during the week where they don’t have to find the right words, can express any emotion or thought they want to without worrying about judgement, and develop tools to alleviate the persistent feelings while gaining new understanding of what is happening in their lives.