Justin Lerner

The relationship between you and the therapist (known as the therapeutic alliance) is critical when deciding to come to therapy. I will work to build a connection with you based on mutual trust, support, empathy, and challenge that will help you grow. I deeply value the relationship with my clients and have a profound respect for the level of vulnerability, risk, and discomfort you are taking by deciding to go on this journey together. I take a non-pathologizing, strengths-based approach and work to build on the strengths you already have as well as help you discover and build new ones. My approach includes attachment, psychodynamic, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT), solution focused therapy, relational cultural therapy, and narrative therapy. Regardless of the modality, I always integrate a an anti-oppressive and social justice lens centered in critical race theory and cultural humility. Engaging in social justice and anti-oppressive work is a lifelong process. Rather than attempting to achieve “cultural competence,” I strive to embody cultural humility. A cultural humility approach centers you as the expert of your own experience and recognizes the power imbalances that come from both our privileged and historically marginalized identities.