Internal Family Systems therapy encourages people to embrace all parts of themselves, even the difficult ones. Its goal is to help people achieve balance and harmony within themselves.
IFS states that people do not have “bad” parts. Instead, they experience difficulty embracing all aspects as simultaneously affecting one another. IFS seeks to name and understand these parts and ultimately balance the factors that work toward self-growth.
Life experiences can encourage the various parts of the self to become out of balance, forcing the system into a less-than-harmonious operating state. Your IFS counselor will help you recognize these parts of yourself, inquire as to why you think they might be off-balance, and then assist you in balancing them.
People with a wide range of mental health concerns can benefit from IFS, but it is particularly effective for those who have dealt with traumatic experiences.
Tired of struggling with your body, food, exercise or with yourself? You may be growing weary of feeling like you don't measure up and your constant mental chatter about your short-comings is taking a toll on you, your family, friendships, health and well-being. You may be feeling hopeless about breaking self-destructive pattens. Don't despair - you don't have to do this alone. Together we will...
How to choose a therapist? I think it can be a bit overwhelming for some. Sometimes clients come see me simply because I take their insurance, or I have availability during a time that works for them. Sometimes people have asked their friends, family, colleagues for recommendations. Sometimes modality or style is important. I am a warm, collaborative, interactive therapist, licensed since 2005....
I have extensive experience of working with adolescents and young adults in a variety of roles including School-Based Clinician, Therapeutic Foster Parent, and Homeless Teens' Case Manager. Most individuals and families come to me with issues related to relationships, anxiety, depression, adjustment, self-esteem, grief, and trauma. These issues can have an impact on ability to go to work/school...
Something - some event / loneliness /feeling like a fraud / feeling like something is missing - brought you to look for a resource at this particular time. Wondering "what's wrong with me" What is the message in the difficulty you are having? The answers lie within that message. It is in discovering - or rediscovering - of who you are that you need. It is finding out and getting back to who you...
I know that first step toward change is the hardest. You are looking for someone who understands your experience and can help you to look within to find answers to questions you may not even know you have. It can be difficult to know what we are looking for in therapy, when we don't yet know what we need. I understand that your struggles are real and difficult, but you also have the strengths...
(Currently Not Accepting New Clients) Seeking therapy is a big step in creating a better life for yourself. If you are struggling with depression, anxiety, grief, or trauma, therapy can provide the tools for healing and transformation. It can also help improve your life in a meaningful way - it's not just about managing symptoms. If you feel lost, there is help. You have within you the ability ...
I have been an art psychotherapist since 1982 and have been in private practice for over 27 years. I work with children, adolescents and adults, focusing on the impact of developmental trauma with its comorbidity and attachment issues. Art gives voice to what is stored somatically and emotionally. My client and I foster the relational benefit of the compassionate therapeutic alliance using the...
By interweaving different types of therapy, we collaborate towards your goals in a way that's effective and respectful of your time, energy and money. Each session can be useful - I track this carefully by asking for feedback and by giving choices on how we work together. The time in-between sessions also is used - through practice 'homework' we choose individually, as a couple or as a family, ...
Discomfort and painful feelings can be the beginning of growth and true understanding of ourselves. Sometimes we just don't know what to do with that discomfort when it comes up though, and instead we numb out, act out or simply stop living our lives the way we want. I take a mindfulness approach to tune in to what our body, mind and spirit is telling us. I can help you sit with difficult emoti...
Specializing in the treatment of teens, young adults and their families has been the most rewarding work for me thus far. As a Fordham University Graduate, I have extensive training in evidence based approaches. I describe myself as a mindfulness and brain based therapist. My focus is to help you identify those things in life that often leave you feeling stuck and equip you with the internal an...
Life is a journey of various paths, some paths cause celebrations and other paths can take your breath away. Throughout each step important questions abound surrounding yourself or your family. I am honored to join with you on your journey; meet you where you are and support you where you desire to go. As I walk along side with you, we can work towards a deeper wholeness; your own unique journe...
Seeking counseling is a very personal decision. Finding the right provider can be the most important step in the healing process. I believe I have helped so many clients because I use an array of tools and methods which I tailor to a client's unique goals. My approach is to work hard to understand a client's perspective and values. Sometimes this means helping the client explore and discover wh...
As your therapist, my goal is to provide you a safe, compassionate and supportive environment where you are able to explore your full potential for healing, growth and change. I believe in a collaborative, integrative and holistic approach when working with teens and adults who have experienced depression and anxiety disorders, anger issues; blended family and relationship issues; divorce; and...
Loss, grief, life transitions - these are part of everyone's life. We need support, and we need to feel safe in order to explore our emotional, somatic, cognitive, and spiritual responses to change. I like to focus on direct experience rather than on thoughts alone. I use the Enneagram if clients are open, and sand play is a rich resource. We may explore mindful awareness, images and dreams,...
