Therapists in Merrick, NY

Anxiety, insecurity, anger and depression get in the way of success and even more than that - they get in the way of you being happy with yourself and your life. Freeing yourself of these issues gives you the opportunity to experience life in a new way that improves your life, relationships, and your performance at work/school. Therapy can help you with these issues and you can begin to enjoy life again.

I work with with clients with difficulty in the following areas: Communication and relationship problems in families and couples, Infidelity, Conflict Resolution, Sexual issues, Anxiety, Depression, and Low Self Esteem. Although I am Licensed in Marriage and Family Therapy, I also work with individuals with the same issues.

You are at the start of a major transition in your life. Something that you have wanted and imagined for some time is about to become a reality. You are unsure and worried despite being “ready” on paper. Yes, you have had some difficult experiences in the past, but because you are intelligent and resilient, you have gotten by without truly addressing these experiences or exploring them fully in therapy. You feel that now is the time to really delve into your past and consider how you arrived at this current place in your life so that you can move on to this next step with a calm confidence.

Welcome! I am a psychotherapist who works with people to achieve a personal sense of well-being and vitality. I believe our life struggles are rooted in our unconscious. Due to imperfect childhoods, we develop defenses to help us cope. While we needed these defenses as children, they can become obstacles in our adult life, since they block our true feelings and greatest potential. I will actively collaborate with you to uncover these defenses and empower you to live a full, authentic, and joyful life.

My ideal client is trying to understand not only the root causes that created a less than optimal life functioning emotionally, socially, occupationally, academically, or intrafamilially, but the actual cognitive behavioral steps to remedy the problem. I believe most problems we encounter in our everyday lives can be improved upon and transformed into a life we have chosen.

Therapy does not have to be a last resort for when your mental health deteriorates and/or life becomes unmanageable. Ideally, it is a space you enter in order to safely explore your thoughts and feelings about not only yourself, but the world around you without judgment. Therapy affords you opportunities to pinpoint what is important to you, and how you can take concrete actions to live with greater fulfillment, authenticity, and empowerment.

Welcome, I am a Licensed Clinical Social Worker with over 25 years of experience in the state of New York. I empower clients to overcome personal obstacles in an effort to improve their lives because improving quality of life can ultimately change the enjoyment of life. I have worked with hundreds of individuals, couples, and families in areas such as anxiety, depression, grief, trauma & PTSD, and relationship issues, amongst others.

I think of psychotherapy as a joint effort between myself and my patients. My experience is varied. I treat adults, individuals and couples with relationship problems. My expertise in working with patients with post traumatic stress makes me particularly well suited to treating patients impacted by the covid-19 virus.

People come into therapy for multiple reasons. It could be an issue with coping when something bad happens or feeling anxious or depressed or having interpersonal difficulties. I understand how painful emotional problems can be, and how they can interfere with everyday life. I believe in understanding what’s going on in the present and then building skills to deal with the future. Coping and overcoming pain and building skills are the best ways to actualize this future you. I am a full professor in the clinical psychology doctoral program at Hofstra. I am trained in CBT and have been able to help people with treatments that work.

Everyone goes through periods of sadness, loss, anger, and adjustment to new situations. You are not alone in your struggles. Don’t allow anger, and resentment that grows from adversity to impair your ability to live your true life! Life can throw some curve balls and having the skills to maneuver these unpredictable situations is paramount in the healing process. Realizing you are not alone and finding a compassionate person to assist you through your struggle are the first steps. The next step is being present in therapy, willing to engage as we learn new skills to navigate this unpredictable world together. I will stand with you.

Do you find that worrying and stress are impacting your everyday functioning? Do you have difficulty sleeping due to thinking about everything that happened today and anticipating concerns for tomorrow and next week? If at times you feel overwhelmed or stuck and don't know what to do, know that you are not alone! Working together, we will focus on the areas you want to improve in your life. We will move forward together and build on your strengths so you can thrive in your life. I work with high functioning and high profile clients so they can reach their goals and live a more fulfilling and happier life.

Everyone deserves to be the main character of their story. I am here to support and guide you in believing that. I aim to provide a warm, non-judgmental space that allows you to gain deeper insight into your emotions, thoughts, and relationships so you can heal and grow. Through compassion, acceptance, and a little bit of humor, I will join you on this journey to releasing the parts of you that no longer serve you so you can show up authentically you no matter what. I accept every person exactly as they are.

Therapy is about exploring, experimenting, discovering, and being vulnerable. In our therapy together you will learn to increase self-compassion and mindfulness, and your ability to sit with uncertainty and bear witness to uncomfortable feelings and body sensations. You will gain awareness of the role negative core beliefs and thoughts have upon mood and learn how to challenge those negative thought patterns. You will learn to set appropriate boundaries by asserting feelings, recognizing wants and needs, and identifying the role shame and guilt might play in causing unhealthy, harmful, stale, and inauthentic behaviors.

In my years as a mental health counselor in both private practices and residential facilities, I have gained extensive experience working with a wide range of clients and diagnoses. Whether you're dealing with depression, anxiety, anger, interpersonal/family complications, or addiction, we can explore them together and develop the tools needed to conquer them.

Finding the right therapist can be challenging. If you are tired of struggling with feelings of depression, anxiety, and low self-esteem or feel unfulfilled in your relationships, allow me to help you manage these difficulties. My goal in our work together is to help you reach your potential and build lasting solutions. I am a Board Certified Diplomate in Clinical Social Work who provides psychotherapy to teenagers, adults, and couples. I have professional experience working in an outpatient substance abuse agency, a mental health clinic, and the Bellmore-Merrick Central High School District.

I am here to support you fully on your journey of personal growth. I will provide a safe and compassionate environment where we can work together as a team, helping you to create meaningful and lasting change.

It truly shows a level of strength to admit that one needs help in order to get through life's difficulties. Through a combination of traditional verbal psychotherapy and a variety of creative arts therapies, one can learn how to manage stress, develop healthy coping skills, increase self-esteem and confidence, safely express emotions, and promote self-discovery and exploration through the creative arts. No artistic skill necessary. You made the first step! I applaud you for starting your healing journey.

Maybe you have a child who has many worries or is prone to negative thinking? Maybe your child is feeling overwhelmed with emotion not knowing how to control the rage? Or maybe your teen is having difficulty connecting socially with others and forming meaningful relationships? Having a child with social and emotional challenges can be distressing for family members. Therapy can help build skills of resiliency and improve emotional awareness. I am passionate about working with children, teens, and families with anxiety, depression, ASD, and ADHD.

As a mental health counselor, I am committed to creating a safe, empathetic, and supportive space for my clients. I believe that there is not a “one size fits all” approach to therapy; therefore, I utilize an eclectic approach to best address each client’s unique needs and goals. I enjoy sharing my knowledge of psychology with my clients and aim to help them gain insight into their emotions, learn healthy coping skills, develop tools to achieve their personal goals, and improve their self-esteem. My goal is to empower my clients throughout their journey in pursuing positive mental health.