Therapists in Upper West Side, New York, NY

Today, life often presents us with an unsettling tension between overwhelming uncertainty or loss, and a relentless demand to be productive, happy, and to have a strong sense of identity or purpose. Whether one is exploring psychotherapy due to crisis, impasse, troubling symptoms, or relational concerns, all people can benefit from a space where they can make meaning of their experiences and thoughts in a collaborative way. Though psychodynamic treatment requires vulnerability and curiosity, it is an opportunity for transformative self-exploration and healing that will be contained in a space of attentive listening and care.

My aim as a therapist is to get to know you and your unique personality and to facilitate a space where you can authentically show up to discuss your feelings and desires. Circumstances in life can be distressing and isolating, but you do not have to navigate that alone. I believe exploring these feelings and experiences in depth can provide a clearer understanding of oneself and the ability to navigate such stressors. I currently see children, adolescents and adults struggling with anxiety, depression, relational issues, and loneliness.

Navigating life’s circumstances can be complicated and challenging. Although we must find the strength to get past the roadblocks in our lives, we don’t have to do it alone. Therapy can help us get to know ourselves so that we can find new ways to respond when the pressure of modern living becomes too much. My aim as a therapist is to partner with you on a journey of self-discovery so that you can find satisfaction and thrive. I believe therapy can help us uncover subtle beliefs and patterns that shape our daily experiences. With greater awareness, we gain the tools to enact positive change and remodel relationships.

Transitions are triggers, and when you are in the midst of a major life transition, it is easy to lose yourself when so much is going on around you. How do you cope when others are asking for so much from you? How can you make space for your own needs when you might not even be sure what they are? Even small tasks can feel burdensome if you are struggling to find a sense of inner peace.

I strive to create a welcoming and supportive environment that will allow clients to comfortably explore patterns in their behavior, thoughts and relationships that may be causing pain or creating blockages. Many of us have a story that we tell ourselves that explains how we have developed into the person that we are today, but often these narratives may be inaccurate and may be preventing growth or prolonging suffering. I believe that therapy provides a non-judgmental place to interrogate these narratives and gain insight into how these beliefs might impacting our lives.

Often, despite knowing what they "should" or "could" do to achieve personal growth, people feel stuck in similar patterns. Others feel lost or that they don't feel content. So many of life's challenges evoke painful feelings, including sadness, fear, anxiety, frustration, loneliness, and isolation. I see therapy as a space where I can help my patients understand those feelings and how they relate to their personal, familial and cultural narratives. With that in hand, patients gain freedom and confidence in how they choose to navigate the world.

I am Rebecca, a licensed clinical social worker and psychotherapist. My practice is fully virtual and all sessions are held via secure teletherapy platform. I am an LGBTQIA+ and BIPOC affirming provider. My approach is rooted in supporting the strength, resilience, and wisdom of the client.

I welcome patients from a broad range of social, economic, and cultural backgrounds and work with issues such as anxiety and body-mediated distress to addiction, mourning, melancholia, and existential quandaries including those regarding work, intimacy and sex. With a background in Freudian and Lacanian theory—as well as literature and art—I find therapy most productive and illuminating when it explores not only a person's conscious interests and challenges but their unconscious thoughts as well.

Life is full of abundant opportunities that are within your reach. However, there are times when it can feel as though you are watching the world go by from a passenger seat - perhaps you find yourself not acting in your own self-interest or are overloaded by the noise of a cluttered mind. In these moments, it can feel challenging to regain a sense of self and select the most fulfilling path forward. I invite you to co-create a space of holistic healing that fosters self-exploration, allowing you to feel more at home in your mind and body, and continue forward from a place of authenticity and empowerment.

Life is a question. Oftentimes moving through it can be very difficult and overwhelming. Perhaps you feel deeply unmotivated in your daily life or drained by your relationships. Therapy can cultivate a space in which to explore and reflect on our painful life experiences—trauma, anxiety, depression, troubled relationships, isolation and loneliness. It can be a space to observe how we’ve been moving through our lives, to figure out how to evolve and grow. A space to be playful and creative, to reconnect with our desires and make contact with the lost or disregarded parts of ourselves.

At various points in our lives, we come across hurdles that can leave us feeling overwhelmed and discouraged. Whether you are coming to therapy due to life transitions, loss, relational issues, identity challenges, or distressing symptoms, my aim is to make you feel seen and heard as you navigate the complexities of life and work to undo patterns that are making you feel stuck. I honor the importance of the therapeutic relationship and lead with curiosity to cultivate an individualized, collaborative, and nonjudgmental space for you to engage in self-exploration.

We often get so caught up with tasks that we might forget what exactly is the big picture of our life. It can be hard to take the space to assess our values and what could make us satisfied. Or perhaps you simply want to try your best at happiness. Or you might be experiencing difficulties, like relational issues, anxiety, a sense of emptiness, or feeling lost. Some of these concerns might be at the root of your pursuit of psychotherapy.

Therapy can be the turning point in your life—allowing you to confront your challenges and unconscious habits in order to more mindfully choose your behaviors, relationships, and life path. As a psychotherapist, I work to help my clients find fulfillment, serenity, confidence, and true happiness. I accompany individuals and couples through a process of examining who they are, how they came to be, and where they ultimately want to go. I collaborate with clients to heal issues such as anxiety, depression, addiction, eating disorders, and trauma.

When someone seeks psychotherapy, it is to address questions, suffering, a dissatisfaction, unmooredness, or a desire for something to be different.

As a psychotherapist I work to create a warm, safe environment where deep personal issues can be explored. I believe that we are shaped by our relationships and life experiences, and life in New York is notoriously fast-paced, hectic, and, yes, sometimes frightening, The constant changes we face such as career change, job loss, relationship loss, an empty nest, can create anxiety and even depression. I would like to bring my life experience and training to help you work through any or all of your major life issues to enable you to improve your life and coping skills.

Are you struggling to feel like "yourself" again? Are you unable to feel settled, unable to keep up with your schedule or commitments? Are you feeling upset or more emotional for no apparent reason? Crises, be they large or small, disorient and leave us feeling uncertain, less able to rely upon and function like "ourselves." Growth and change are among the most positive and humanly adaptive qualities and yet the most uncertain and difficult experiences in life. At such times we want unbiased and reliable support to help restore our sense of self and help make positive choices for our lives.

If you are feeling anxious, depressed, restless or just stuck, and are unsure of how to feel better, know that you're not alone. Navigating complexities such as anxiety, life transitions, relationship issues, and (re)discovering your purpose can be daunting, but it doesn't have to be a solo endeavor. I am here to support you through life’s challenges in a safe and non-judgmental environment.

My practice is for those who are looking for a safe and affirming space to search for solutions to life’s challenges. To me, there can never be a one-size-fits-all approach to humans, and therapy should be uniquely tailored to individual history, needs, and goals. Together, we will take a closer look at the interplay of forces and experiences that shaped your sense of self. We will look for the root causes of your challenges, untangle lasting negative patterns and zero in on your unique strengths. Together, we can tackle the feelings of worthlessness, disconnection, loneliness, guilt, and grief.

Please email me to schedule a consultation for daytime hours. I specialize in the treatment of trauma, anxiety, depression, and recovery from abusive situations. I provide a safe and supportive space to deepen self-awareness and foster self-compassion. If you are experiencing difficulty with traumatic memories, life transitions, emotional turmoil, relational conflict, or issues pertaining to gender/sexuality, I can help you towards growth and healing. We will explore your personal narrative within the context of time and place, family and culture, actions and reactions, to cultivate your emotional well-being.