My style as a therapist is a balance between insight/reflection and action focused interventions. I have been using this approach to help individuals and couples for over 16 years. With extensive addictions training I am able to help individuals move away from destructive behavioral patterns. My couples work is dynamic, pragmatic and solution-focused, utilizing state of art strategies to tailor a unique approach for each couple. Drawing on a background in law and management consulting, I am adept at giving individuals the perspective and tools they need to succeed in the workplace.

I'm a Licensed Psychoanalyst and a Licensed Creative Arts Therapist. I have extensive experience working with people coping with depression, PTSD, relationship issues, anxiety and career concerns. I'm also trained as a Psychedelic Integration Psychotherapist which is a specifically focused treatment designed to create meaningful, desirable and durable lifestyle changes.

I am a licensed mental health counselor, certified Gestalt therapist, and a visiting faculty at a post-graduate psychotherapy training institute. I practice from a body-oriented relational and culturally sensitive approach, specializing in working with survivors of dysfunctional upbringing, acute and chronic trauma, and LGBTQ+ issues.

Seeking therapy can be an intimidating and overwhelming process. From acknowledging that you would like more support to searching for the right therapist for you, it takes time, effort, and courage to face your challenges and risk vulnerability. That is why I aim to create a warm, welcoming, and non-judgmental space where you experience trust, safety, and comfort to bring your authentic self into the room. To be vulnerable and open as your true self without fear of judgment is to move towards freedom and expansion.

I work with individuals in a supportive and creative environment to open dialogue and explore life's challenges. The opportunity to engage in verbal or non-verbal expression can support to reframe the past, their thoughts, emotions, life patterns, and to discover a deeper awareness of themselves.

My psychotherapy practice is dedicated to helping people overcome difficulties in managing troubling emotions, dysfunctional behaviors, or problems in career, relationship, or life transition. Working primarily in short-term cognitive behavioral models, trouble areas are defined and broken down. Clients are actively encouraged to collaborate on developing new, healthier perspectives, and to generate and practice effective coping strategies and skills. Foundations in psychodynamic and developmental theory, neuroscience, as well as eastern philosophy and mindfulness practice often inform and shape the course of work.

What is it that is so frightening about being vulnerable? Life experience, relationships, trauma, and loss often force us to harden, to protect ourselves, and to be anything BUT vulnerable. In doing so, we become disconnected from ourselves and from those around us which takes the form of anxiety, depression, body pain, and an overall feeling of dissatisfaction. In therapy, we work together to explore all of those dimensions in life that have impacted you and through the process, you find release. You chime into acceptance, peace, and the infinite strength of your authentic self.

I combine the careful thinking of a philosopher with the compassion and empathy of the counseling relationship. I help you face your challenges through a dialogue that supports your originality and independent thinking, and enhances your self-understanding. As someone trained in both professional philosophy and individual counseling, I take my inspiration from an idea that goes back to Socrates: Philosophy is the art of living well.

Using a harm reduction framework, I support those involved in behaviors they are worried about to make self- activated changes that feel right for them rather than pushing any fixed agenda. A basic goal of my work is to provide a safe, supportive, caring environment that can foster comfort so my clients can take risks and make lasting changes.

I'm a Certified Life Coach to females ages 14 - 25. My approach to coaching is two-fold. That is, I offer: 1) a powerful interaction that fosters within each girl a deepened self-awareness and heightened appreciation of her personal strengths, and 2) tangible tools that help her overcome her challenges, embrace and achieve her goals. Some of my specialties include helping teen girls and young women with family relationship issues, academic and social anxiety, negative feelings about self, choices around dating/sex/break-ups, college preparation and success, decision-making around the future and life-goals.

*Currently full as of 1/5/21* Sometimes taking the first step to reach out for help is the hardest. For that reason, it is important for me to create a trusting relationship with my clients in order to best understand their perspectives, contexts and experiences. I work hard to create a nonjudgmental and dynamic environment that amplifies strengths and examines the unhelpful patterns that may no longer be serving my clients. Together, my clients and I shift the feeling of "stuckness" by creating and building upon new ways of coping. My therapeutic style is active in conversation, while being supportive and collaborative.

We are a dynamic group practice of Creative Arts Therapists who are all highly experienced, nationally registered, board-certified, and licensed by New York State. Located in the heart of New York City's Gramercy Park neighborhood and also available online, we provide individualized art therapy sessions for people of all ages and backgrounds facing psychosocial challenges in their everyday lives. Our art therapists and clients work together in a supportive environment to find ways to creatively cope with current life stressors and co-create a treatment plan to address each client's unique concerns.

If you are ready to embark on a rewarding journey to the true essence of you, and create the life you desire and deserve, I invite you to my practice. It is time to release all that does not serve you and replenish with all that optimizes your experience here and now. "Happiness is your Birthright.' My years of experience and training can guide you there. Please feel free to find me on http://www.therapyandbeyondcenter.com/appointments where you can book directly and write to me at mburra@therapyandbeyondcenter.com should you have any additional questions.

**Offering Telehealth Sessions** Life can be hard. Even the strongest and wisest need support navigating life during difficult times and life transitions. It is often within these confusing, painful moments that you find the greatest opportunities for growth. As a strengths-based therapist, I work to offer a safe, comfortable space to explore limiting beliefs and gain insight about behavior patterns impacting your life, so that you can move forward and live the life you want to live. I work with people experiencing depression, anxiety, grief/loss and relationship issues.

I am fascinated about how the brain works and how behavior can be adapted and changed if we allow it to happen.I support anxious and depressed people who truly desire to renewal their souls. Self-esteem, stress and conflict management, codependency, and parenting skills are some of the areas that rise my interest. I am specialized in blended and multicultural families. I am fluent in Spanish and Portuguese.

Therapy is an opportunity to be seen and heard, to heal and to grow. Together we can maximize your creative potential: personally, professionally, and in all of your relationships. Identity and relationship conflicts are my areas of expertise. My training and experience include psychodynamic relational therapy and analysis, and couples and family work. I'm also a professional actor and writer, which helps me to approach our work with an open, creative mind. I provide a safe supportive space for you to identify obstacles and goals, to expand your sense of self, and to live with freedom, meaning, and purpose.

Working with individuals, families, children and teens for the past 20 years, I have come to learn that we all want to be understood so that we may live healthier, more productive lives. Often times however, conflicts and repetitive behaviors prevent us from finding the satisfaction we desire. Depression, anxiety, and a host of other self defeating conditions or behaviors can emerge that interfere with basic relationship success and can cause work, or school related difficulties. My approach is to work closely with you through any issues, in an atmosphere of acceptance and support, designed to address your individual needs.

I am a New York State Licensed Clinical Social Worker (License # 036633) with over 15 years of private practice psychotherapy experience. I was born and raised in New York. I work with individuals and couples, especially actors, artists, singers and other creative people.I offer treatment for: Depression, Anxiety, Mood Disorders, Obsessions & Phobias, Performance Anxiety, Writer's Block, Getting to your next level of artistic excellence, Developing creativity and mental/emotional flexibility, Career transitions, Mid-life crisis, Loneliness, Being new to NYC, Relationships, and Break-ups.

I am a therapist/drug counselor/dating coach that is warm and caring. I start with developing an authentic relationship, then proceed to processing your feelings and thoughts with added behavioral tools. Helping you feel accepted, understood, and supported so we can explore and organize experiences and create new ways of coping. My practice is focused on treating young adults who may be facing challenges in their personal, social, or dating life. Therapy is one way of helping yourself not only with discovering the root causes of your behavior, but also to identify one's truth and inner reality.