Family Systems Therapists in Brooklyn, NY

Down bad? Feeling wonky? Lets talk about it. I help clients with a variety of issues by tailoring my therapeutic approach to their unique needs and goals. I want everyone I work with to realize their full potential by restructuring maladaptive thought patterns that lead to distress and poor functioning. I hope to give my clients the space to process their thoughts and emotions, and understand the ways in which their behavior and subconscious beliefs about themselves and the world around them play into false narratives that ultimately keep themselves down. I strive to help my clients to learn to love themselves without condition.

I am Dr. Lara DiCarlo, a Licensed Clinical Psychologist. I have prioritized working with marginalized communities over the past decade as a psychotherapist. People most often come to me for concerns with anxiety, chronic illness, depression, identity, life transitions, perinatal period, and relationships (attachment, family, peer, romantic, sexual). I primarily offer individual therapy and have a specialization in working with young adults. My approach is warm, engaging, empowering, and collaborative. I also offer appointments for gender affirming letters and personality/psychopathology assessment.

I provide a supportive therapeutic experience that helps clients tap into their own resilience. I bring experience in treating a diverse range of people in areas which include creative blocks, low self-esteem, depression, as well as family stressors and life transitions. My training in Internal Family Systems (IFS) and Emotionally Focused Therapy are foundational in my work with individuals as well as providing support to relationship challenges. I have a masters in Marriage and Family Therapy, see individuals and a limited number of couples. I have been active as a university professor in the theater arts for many years.

I utilize a compassionate therapeutic approach to create a safe and supportive space for people of all life stages that want personal growth, emotional well-being, and relationship success. My practice has a strong focus on families, parents and children looking for support managing transitional, developmental, behavioral and emotional needs. I also draw on this expertise as a foundation in my work with individuals - after all – we were all children once and our original family systems have a profound impact on how we manage life stressors, navigate trauma, and function in relationships.

My first priority is to listen deeply to my clients and become attuned to your unique story and your unique system. I consider myself a non-traditional, creative therapist and I center my craft around Internal Family Systems and embodiment. My goal is to guide you through understanding the dynamics that are holding you back or causing suffering, and empower you to get closer to the truest expression of yourself. I will meet you where you are, with deep compassion, to help you heal and grow. Please take a moment to review my website for a fuller understanding of how I work and if we might be a good fit.

Each client is unique. Crisis, transition, relationship, workplace problems, coming out, depression, anxiety, identity, parenting . . . the list goes on. Nonetheless, the three phrases I'm most accustomed to hearing first are: "I'm completely stuck." "I don't understand why I feel this way." and "I just don't see a way out of this." It is important that we begin exactly where you are. Some of the issues you're bringing to therapy may first need practical attention in order to alleviate your current distress. Subsequently, we'll look for connections to the source of your issues and begin the healing process.

Therapy is for anyone looking to make a change, expand their horizons, or heal. Are you struggling with mood symptoms? Do you have a history of trauma but feel afraid talking about it will unleash pain? I am a trauma specialist and have helped people all over the world move forward from the gripping effects of PTSD and C-PTSD. Healing parts of yourself will ultimately have a positive ripple effect in your life. I will work at your own pace and offer tools that can be utilized inside and outside of our sessions. Together, we can build a new chapter of your life that enables connection, improved performance, and most importantly-joy.

Ayanna Ferguson is a licensed family therapist, born and raised in New York. As a Licensed Clinical Social Worker in New York and Florida with 15 years of experience in clinical therapy, she continues to grow her private practice. Also, she teaches as a faculty lecturer for a graduate program, training future therapists. Ayanna embraces working with individuals and families of diverse racial, cultural, and ethnic backgrounds who may be experiencing a variation of stress and are new or returning to therapy. She specializes in honoring and lifting cultural values, beliefs, and personal strengths.

We can all get trapped in a way of thinking or relating to the world that does not serve our end goals. I work with clients to help them become aware of these patterns, understand their origin and utility, while at the same time fostering the freedom, perspective, and skills to break away from these patterns when needed. I view therapy as a co-investigative process, where you and I can look together, with neutrality, curiosity and compassion, at the forces that are shaping your emotional life, and see if there might be a different way of experiencing the world.

As a dedicated and licensed therapist, I specialize in helping individuals and romantic partners navigate emotional and relational triggers. My goal is to support you in creating healthier, more fulfilling relationships with yourself and others. With multiple years of experience, I have a proven track record in treating trauma, attachment issues, anxiety, and depression. My approach integrates Internal Family Systems (IFS) and Somatic therapies, empowering you to tune into your inner experience, access deeper awareness, and cultivate compassion and healing for past and present wounds.

If you are struggling in your relationships, experiencing a life transition, open to uncovering the roots of your painful emotions, finding yourself in patterns that are not serving you, curious to work through trauma, and/or in need of support to cope with all that life can throw at you, I am here for you. My clients tend to be more resilient than they realize, and I am here to help you utilize that strength. Together, we can process whatever it is you are dealing with presently, or have dealt with in the past, and help you release your burdens so you can live the life you want to live.

Julie views the therapeutic relationship as a supportive alliance that is formed through the sharing and exploration of one’s unique and sacred personal story. Julie believes that through sharing your story and engaging in a process of exploration, the lingering effects of past traumas can be released, as well as patterns that no longer serve you.

I'm glad you're here! I help people free themselves from painful relational patterns and start feeling calm, safe and authentic. We will work with experiences that are keeping you stuck, like trauma, marginalization, and difficult relationships, so that you can feel and process your emotions, heal past wounds, accommodate yourself and truly be you. I offer individual therapy, couples therapy and therapy for all kinds of relationship structures, including non-monogamous relationships and blended families.

The teenage years are rocky for families. Parents are seeing many issues arise in adolescent development including school performance, social interactions and increased thoughts of suicide in teens. Family systems have been majorly impacted with these changes and many families have experienced on-going crisis with their teens. My doctorate is in adolescent and family therapy with a specific focus on schools and helping families to reintegrate into daily routines, increasing socialization and putting out the "fires" in the home. This short term therapy will help provide stability and open dialogue.

My work with kids, teenagers, couples and families focuses on finding new solutions to old problems. I use a family systems framework which helps people understand the often invisible emotional and relationship forces that govern individual biology and behavior. I have 28 years of experience working with children and 16 as a school and clinical psychologist.

Prioritizing client's goals without judgment or assumption and a pragmatic, compassionate approach to therapy are the foundation of my work. My areas of particular expertise are substance use concerns + disorders, LGBT issues, post-traumatic stress, critical incident debriefing, compulsive behaviors and stress management. In line with the core principles of Motivational Interviewing, I work side-by-side with my clients to explore their concerns and triumphs with a focus on building self-compassion and resilience.

Feeling hopeless, like nothing will ever change? Living in constant panic or fear of the worst? Having difficulty with your romantic relationship? Examining the effects of existing and past relationships with parents, siblings, partners, friends, etc. will help to gain the insight needed to get to the root of emotional imbalance.

I believe healing requires a holistic approach that addresses all aspects of the human experience. I am interested in understanding the many layers that shape one’s beliefs and personal stories, striving to understand the connection between the mind, body, and spirit. Developing inner trust and self-acceptance is a vital part of the therapeutic process. I hope to encourage and guide clients to listen to their innate wisdom and collaborate with them in their journey to reconnect with the most authentic version of themselves.

I believe that hurt, disappointment, sadness and grief are a normal part of the human experience. However, we often turn this hurt inward and create even more painful beliefs about ourselves and the world. I create genuine relationships with the people I work with, helping them to address and remove barriers that prevent them from more meaningful, authentic, and purposeful lives. I offer curiosity, new ideas and techniques while helping my clients identify and shift patterns that no longer serve them.