Buddhist Therapists in New York, NY

I’m a Vietnamese, Queer, Buddhist, refugee, cisgender woman with a passion to help others relieve their life stressors, which has been heightened by COVID-19 pandemic, ongoing racism/injustice, transphobia, homophobia, xenophobia, climate change, wars, violence, and unrest in our world. Life stressors can cause a lot of suffering for people by placing strains on their mental and/or physical health, interpersonal relationships, and finances. Let’s work together to create a happier, stronger and more resilient version of you.

Looking deeply into your life, your struggles, and what gives you strength and meaning can be a transformative and a healing process. Helping people to do this is a passion of mine. Working to understand your struggles in greater context, changing behaviors or transforming suffering through insight, we will work directly with the feelings and roots of your struggles. We will work towards goals of greater presence with all aspects of life, and a steady foundation to live a life that has meaning, value, and joy.

I have come to accept that the very thing that causes pain in our lives can be the opportunity for transformation and joy. Death, divorce, loss of employment, and now with Covid-19, are unavoidable human traumas. We simply can not defeat these losses. What we can do is bravely embrace our frailty and slowly discover our inherent well-being and resiliency. Through a trusting therapeutic relationship, you can begin to mend the fragments and feel the soft strength within you.

On this journey, you'll learn to manage strong feelings and understand your life better. I'm here to guide you toward happiness, aiding with sadness, worry, stress, and balancing work with various aspects of your life. Whether struggling with overthinking or finding yourself in life transitions, you'll gain strength and overcome challenges. Therapy provides a safe space to change habits and thoughts for lasting positive change. Your thoughts and feelings are important here; together, we'll improve your well-being and create a more satisfying life.

As a practitioner I seek to assist my clients to begin to shed the layers of the their cocoon, and accept themselves as whole people. I utilize mindfulness techniques, somatic awareness, meditation, attachment and experiential psychotherapy. I encourage clients to stay with their feelings in the here and now, and ask them to accept and honor the present moment with all its feelings rather than exiling or "fixing" their feelings.

Experiences of overwhelm, hardship, and imperfections are inevitable aspects of life, and too, they have beautiful qualities. They create atmospheres to understand imbalances and what is essential more deeply, both in ourselves and all those around us. When viewed as entry points to insight and peace, we can begin to feel some relief and sense of possibility. Rather than hindrances, we begin to see stepping stones on a path to greater awareness, healing, stability of mind amidst changing life conditions, compassion for our suffering and that of others, and joy.

Jenna Sackman is a holistic and integrative therapist who specializes in working with high functioning individuals (children, teens & adults) and couples and is passionate about making therapy a meaningful, joyful experience. Her areas of expertise are anxiety, relationship challenges, depression, loss/grief, transitional periods, and intrusive/negative thoughts. Most clients choose to work with her because she uses an active approach and provides her clients with concrete skills. Jenna understands that therapy is a huge investment, and she, too, is fully invested in helping her clients to realize significant and observable change.

I invite you to step into a sanctuary of affirmation, warmth, and practical guidance with me, Dr. Deb, a personable and highly experienced licensed psychotherapist and relationship coach. I am here to guide you through life’s ups & downs and get you unstuck and feeling better. I will help you find actionable solutions to the issues you struggle with – work, breaks-ups, mood, anxiety, stress, sadness, unhealthy patterns, pain, depression, relationships, life goals, substances, communication, and so much more. Together we will untangle life’s complexities and find a path to increased happiness and balance. (Really!)

Has talking-only therapy not worked well for you? If you are looking for an experienced holistic practitioner -- a therapist's therapist -- you have found one. My approach is present-centered, relational, and collaborative, informed by understandings from humanistic therapies as well as from spiritual and meditative traditions. This way of working is very interactive and includes methods from Gestalt, Hakomi, and Buddhist practices. I have more than 35 years of experience in both doing experiential psychotherapy and training other therapists in these methods.

My approach to supporting others to heal, grow, and better cope with life challenges and transitions incorporates awareness-building, cultivating acceptance and compassion, and providing a space that invites the possibility of exploring new ways of being. These elements empower individuals to take ownership of how they choose to create their lives and to find greater wellbeing and fulfillment. We often do not realize that the very habits and behaviors that cause us to feel stuck or block us from having what we want were necessary tools for survival at some point in our lives. Understanding such patterns is an important step.

Psychotherapy and psychoanalysis can be instrumental in enhancing your self esteem, quieting depressive thoughts, unlocking your creativity, improving your relationships and helping you lead a happier, more fulfilling life. I lean toward a self-psychological approach that centers on mutuality, self inquiry and empathic encounter. I work with clients from all walks of life, including academics, artists, writers, executives, couples, people going through important life transitions, and people of different faiths, be it buddhist, christian or secular-spiritual. I also work with children. One of my specialties is giftedness, at any age.

Tracey Gundel, LCSW-R has 20 years of experience as a licensed clinical social worker and psychotherapist. Her background includes senior psychotherapist positions to Clinical Director of a New York City mental health clinic. Though specializing in anxiety, depression and ADHD, Tracey’s extensive mental health experience gives her the know-how and dexterity to meet all your mental health needs. Her style is supportive and collaborative. As well, Tracey's practice offers a new addition of Lee Hatcher, offering expertise in LGBTQ+ issues and other mental health needs!

I’m Dr. Shielagh Hochberg, clinical psychologist in Naples, Florida. With a PhD in clinical psychology, I'm licensed in Florida & New York. With many years of experience treating anxiety, trauma, stress & grief, I can help you learn to take better care of yourself. Since the pandemic, many have lost a sense of direction. Our lives have changed. Some are ready for change, others fight change fiercely. As we age health and related decisions may become priorities. Whatever challenges you face, a skilled clinician can help you get through it. As a Jewish therapist practicing Buddhist meditation, I bring a unique perspective to the work.

Mike Lubofsky, Licensed Therapist and Attorney • My ideal client is highly intelligent, intellectually curious, and sincerely open to change. My work as a therapist is a deep calling and the challenging exploration of psychological and existential issues with clients often leads to profound emotionally corrective experiences with clients. Many clients, including lawyers, have "checked all the boxes" and have hit a wall of frustration and dissatisfaction. I have navigated those profound challenges and my life's work is to help others find their authentic paths.

I believe that therapy can develop non-judgmental awareness of what is in the present, of thoughts and feelings that are based on conditioned reactions from the past, and of the ability to then cultivate the inner freedom that allows each client to move into a future grounded in experience and directed at a positive and compassionate understanding of self and others. Developing the ability to be aware is a practice that each client learns and practices according to their presenting needs, interests, and learning styles. There is no ideal client, there is only the commitment to practice awareness and find freedom from the past.

It is in my belief that we are all intrinsically whole, deserving and worthy of love and meaningful connections. However, somewhere along the way we have incurred pain and hurtful experiences that have tainted our story and lens of how we see the world and ourselves. Sometimes the narrative runs so deep that we can’t stop the thoughts and feelings that flow continuously. In this way, everyday feels like a struggle. Perhaps you secretly feel lost and lonely or you struggle with feelings of anxiety, insecurity or sadness and are uncertain about how to navigate the complexity of your emotions. Wherever you are - your story matters.

Are you struggling to balance work, parenting/pregnancy, and staying connected to your partner? You are not alone. I work with clients to see where they can make positive changes and relieve stress. Other areas of focus are: maternal mental health (perinatal and postpartum anxiety and depression), and working with teens and young adults. I come from a mindfulness-based perspective, and have a strengths-based and Buddhist orientation. I believe that my clients - with the right support - can make meaningful changes that will improve their overall well-being and enhance their relationships.

Are you struggling with finding ways to cope with life stressors, depression, anxiety, relationship issues, and constant mind games? It is normal and natural to seek help, and space that I provide for my clients in my sessions is your road to fulfilling balanced life. My Buddhist background influences the holistic therapy approach that emphasizes person’s strengths, unique coping skills and promotes a harmonious well-being. I use several therapeutic modalities including but not limited to Mindfulness, ACT, Energy focused therapy. Start this beautiful journey to remember who you truly are, I can guide you there.

No matter how fortunate you may be, still human life is difficult. Despite your best efforts, at times life's stresses can be too much: you may be overwhelmed. Hurt, fear, guilt, anger, shame, grief: feeling bad can alert you to where the trouble lies, or add to your emotional burdens. Confusion, isolation, loneliness, restlessness, worry, despair, or addictive attempts to find relief - all of these painful states are attempts to ward off problems or fix what's wrong, but they can also make things worse.