Suicidal Ideation Therapists in Philadelphia, PA

As an art therapist, I value the innate creativity within each person, viewing art not only as a means of communication but also as a vehicle for self-discovery and growth. I approach healing through a feminist lens, recognizing and addressing the intersectional dynamics that influence mental health. I integrate CBT, mindfulness techniques, and talk therapy, tailoring my approach to meet your individual needs. Recognizing the potential intimidation and anxiety associated with therapy, I prioritize fostering a warm, non-judgmental environment where humor is not just welcomed but embraced.

Therapy is a unique and personal experience. Whether this is your first time considering therapy, or you are moving into a new phase of your therapeutic journey, therapy is a safe space for self-exploration, growth, and discovery. I work psychodynamically and relationally, within a multicultural framework. I have worked extensively with young adults, adults, and couples in a wide range of settings. My areas of specialty are anxiety, depression, and other mood concerns; grief, loss, and bereavement; life transitions; relationships and family issues; and disordered eating and body image concerns.

Throughout the course of our lives, all of us experience challenging relationship dynamics, family expectations, losses, traumas, societal pressures, oppressive structures, and/or shifts in our identity. Due to these, over time we may find ourselves disconnected from our sense of self and no longer clear on what we need, want, or feel. We may struggle to be present or to be in tune with our bodies. We may feel like we're living for others, rather than for ourselves. Therapy is one way that we can process, heal, and understand these experiences in order to re-embody who we are and who we want to be.

I find that the ability to connect with a client, listen, and offer emotional support at challenging moments in their lives is what I value most about being a therapist. There is immense gratitude for being able to witness the transformation of someone who is progressing to live a life filled with purpose and meanings. I specialize in working with folks with traumas, depression, anxiety, and grief. I also work with clients struggling with relationships issues, OCD, ADHD, immigration issues, and addictions. I also practice psychotherapy in both English and Spanish, and I work with individuals, couples, and families.

Feeling stuck, overwhelmed, anxious, and tired? Look no further. I'm James, a clinical therapist specializing in CBT with a holistic twist. In search of a compassionate guide who truly understands the complexities of modern life? Juggling the pressures of life, or relationships, or do you just want to become the best you? Together, we'll embark on a journey of self-discovery and growth, addressing immediate concerns while delving deeper into the underlying root of your struggles. Together we will explore, heal, and thrive!

Whether you are feeling overwhelmed by the pressures of daily life, or held back by painful experiences from the past, you do not have to face life's challenges alone. I view therapy as a collaborative process which is built upon openness, understanding, and hope. I believe the most important relationship you have is with yourself. Therefore, my work with clients centers around developing a healthy sense of self in order to manage life’s difficulties more easily. My goal is to provide an environment where you will feel safe to express yourself, to be heard, to heal, and to explore the possibilities for making lasting changes.

Whether you are going through a life change, experiencing symptoms of anxiety or depression or just feeling you need a space to process your emotions without judgement, I am here to support you. I have experience working with clients who have a wide-range of mental health symptoms and life stressors. Through individualized and relationally-based practice, together we can explore whatever challenges you are facing and develop a plan to help make meaningful change in your life.

I work extensively with couples, groups, and individuals. I honor the courage and vulnerability it takes to ask for help, to heal our wounds, and to embrace the messiness of our internal and external lives. Whether you are a couple seeking support in improving communication, intimacy, and connection, or an individual wanting to gain greater insight into the origins of your concerns and relieve distress, I am here to help. Therapy is the best gift you can give to yourself and your relationships, and my hope is that you will feel more empowered in your life to make choices and live life more aligned with your authentic self.

I utilize an eclectic, psychoanalytic, and relational approach while employing a strong racial justice, feminist, and queer theory lens. I practice from a fat-lib, sex-positive, and intersectional feminist perspective. I believe that one's past informs how they interact with and experience the world. Healing takes place as one fosters empathy and consideration for their past and present selves. The therapeutic relationship allows for gaining deeper perspective and understanding of oneself. I strive to build genuine and earnest rapport with my clients by being deeply nonjudgmental and always practicing with respect.

There are many reasons one might seek therapy. Some look for help when they are feeling overwhelmed by events in their lives, such as the end of an important relationship or a challenging medical diagnosis. Others come because they have a persistent sense of suffering they do not fully understand or that has been difficult to resolve. If you feel you are not living your life as fully as you would like, or if you are dissatisfied, stressed, or unhappy, it is worth understanding and addressing.

I work mostly with individuals in their 20s and 30s who are struggling with anxiety, depression, life transitions, navigating interpersonal relationships, and issues around self-esteem and identity crises. Identifying the feelings and experiences in the current moment can be difficult to name, but I am here to help you work through those emotions and discover what they truly mean for you.

Therapy works when you feel genuinely seen and heard, and when we can build the trust to clearly imagine and move towards the ways you want yourself and your life to change. My approach to this work is warm, caring, and candid—and, above all, responsive to what you need. We might also laugh sometimes.

I have been working as a psychoanalyst for almost twenty years and understand how challenging it can be to seek help at times. However, as we all need assistance at various moments in our lives, embarking on psychotherapy is an important step. Working with psychoanalysis can help you better understand the past experiences that shaped your character, as well as your future, desires, goals you aspire to achieve and the fears and obstacles you encounter. I can listen to patients in English, Portuguese (my native language), and Spanish. I have experience with student's mental health, depression, anxiety, psychosis and another diagnosis.

We find true heroism in seemingly ordinary everyday life. These heroics might look like getting cut off in traffic and keeping your cool, finding the courage to ask your boss for a raise, or deciding to bravely take your life in a new direction. The road to becoming the hero of your own story stems from finding the balance between being accountable for what is in your control and accepting what is outside of your control.

There is no denying it that life on this planet is hard, everybody has been touched by suffering. While the effects of this may manifest in different ways, for many of us it has left scars. These can look like unhealthy ways of coping, relating to others, or frustrated goals. What is also undeniable is the incredible ability that humans have to overcome hardship. There are likely countless ways that you are coping well and managing your situation in helpful manners, but you may also find yourself stuck in some areas. I am passionate about witnessing people overcome insurmountable odds and practice new ways of being.

Today you are one step closer to a new you where you feel empowered and on a positive path to growth and well-being. As a psychologist, my goal is to help you uncover your true potential and lead a life that is worth celebrating. While we can't change difficult situations of the past, we can work together to better understand and resolve challenges in your life. Through collaboration, we will unearth long-standing behavior patterns or negative perceptions that may be holding you back from experiencing a more fulfilling and meaningful life.

I aim to hold a supportive and empowering space for each of my clients. Life is chaotic, so I encourage you to use our sessions as an opportunity to sit with and reflect on what is coming up with you. Oftentimes, clients like to do this by drawing, eating, or moving around during the session in order to really connect with their inner-self. I welcome whatever feels best for you! I have had the pleasure of witnessing clients undergo profound transformations and discover strengths they never knew they had. Regardless of where you are in your journey, I am here to support you every step of the way.

Voted "Best Place to Heal" by Philadelphia magazine (2020) for treating depression and related issues of anxiety and addiction, the LiveWell Foundation (nonprofit) also offers therapy for adults, teens, seniors, and physicians (for whom no electronic records are kept). Whether you want to live a more authentic or meaningful life, to learn how to better manage symptoms of depression or anxiety, or to strengthen your interpersonal relationships, we're here to support you through a meaningful process of growth and lasting change.

In my practice, I strive to let my clients be in the driver's seat while I act as their guide. I aim to meet you where you are. I am both supportive and challenging in my approach, empathic while also encouraging you to look at things from different perspectives.