Existential Therapists in Niskayuna, NY

Do you feel like your emotions control you? Life overwhelming? Maybe you're grieving or struggling with feelings of fear and loss. You can discover tools that will help you understand these emotions, as well as your strengths and you don't have to struggle with it on your own. Working with you, I will incorporate skills that I have gathered from my past experiences in public health, end-of-life care, gender-affirming care, and a Health at Every Size philosophy. If you have ever felt marginalized because of who you are, know that everyone deserves to find peace and affirmation and we can work together to achieve that.

As your therapist I will see you as the whole and dynamic person you are. I will help you discover which pieces of your story are authentically your own and which pieces no longer (or never) served you. This journey is one that I am excited to embark upon with you while respecting the fact that you are indeed the expert on your narrative. I will be here for you to discover where the authenticity within your narrative may have been lost, perhaps even without your knowledge. Your needs and goals will be of primary importance as we work together to find solutions for those aspects of your narrative that are causing you distress.

I recently expanded my practice, adding two clinicians to better serve those looking for therapy. At Guiding Steps Psychotherapy, our mission is to help people heal from trauma and other adverse life experiences, anxiety, and depression. We work with survivors of sexual abuse/assault, those who have experienced traumatic loss from death or infidelity, individuals suffering from addiction, and others working through traumatic adjustments such as loss of a job or severe illness. I also counsel couples working to improve their relationships, those discerning their futures, and others contemplating separation or divorce

Getting started is the hardest part. This is true of most things requiring significant time and energy. The decision to seek psychotherapy may not sound difficult, but acting on it can be. Seeking help suggests that we can't do it alone. Whether or not we can, I believe we shouldn't have to. Life is hard. Relationships are complicated. The world throws us a curveball and we find ourselves overwhelmed, disappointed or depressed. We lose a loved one, a job or have trouble finding meaningful work. We make bad decisions, or when we make good decisions, things don't turn out as we expect.

Welcome to my reimagined counseling practice--now, purely virtual! Do you feel like a square peg in a round hole? Are you out of touch with who you are and what you really want? Do you sometimes lie awake nights worrying, "Is this IT?" You know you need a change, but you're not sure how to take the first step. Somewhere along the way, you may have started doing what others thought was best for you instead of trusting your own gut. Perhaps you're unhappy because you and your job aren't a good fit. Maybe you feel overwhelmed with stress from all sides.

"Doesn't everything die at last, and too soon? Tell me, what is it you plan to do, With your one wild and precious life?" (Mary Oliver, poet). I encourage my clients to aim for more than simple "symptom reduction" - encouraging them to develop the clarity of vision and the skills that will enable them to live vitally and fully their "one wild and precious life". How will You live yours?

I believe in improving our emotional well-being and mental health through cultivating radical self-love, developing empathy and understanding, and setting healthy and adaptive boundaries in our lives. I seek to join you on your journey towards healing by helping you unhook from unhealthy paradigms in order to foster new beginnings and new opportunities to be your most authentic self.

It's understandable to feel like you're struggling to keep up in a world that is constantly changing. Many people experience feelings of anxiety, depression, and inadequacy, especially when it comes to their personal or professional life. It can be tough to feel like you're not good enough, smart enough, or talented enough. But please know that you're not alone. These emotions are common, and it's okay to seek help. As your assistant, I want nothing more than to help you feel safe and secure. I can teach you valuable skills to manage these emotions and develop emotional strength and resilience.

You can feel better! Life can be difficult and full of change and challenges. You may be feeling overwhelmed, depressed, anxious or fearful. Even positive changes such as a new job, a baby or retirement can result in challenging feelings. As well, past losses and traumas can impinge on the present leaving you wondering why you feel upset and out of sorts.

As a licensed mental health counselor I specialize in multicultural counseling, individual therapy treating disorders such as substance abuse, personality disorders, anxiety, phobias, trauma and couples counseling. As we move into a new and different world I imagine it can be hard for some of us to develop new coping skills to manage living in this new world. I am here to help navigate and guide you and your loved ones through these difficult times. I also provide home visits for the elderly who just can't leave their home yet still need someone to talk. More details will be provided during the intake.

Wellness Coaching offers an eclectic and flexible approach to resolving forms of impasse on multiple levels: physical, emotional and mental. Reconnecting to our own bodies, our deeper selves, our families and our community is at the heart of good health and well-being. Recovery from distress, loss and trauma should include changes that help maintain wellness and balance. I have many years experience helping others find their way and overcome obstacles in their life. I specialize in relationship issues, family systems, self-growth and psycho-spiritual wellness.

Each of us holds within ourselves tremendous potential and an innate knowing of just what we need. I look at many symptoms as a creative, adaptive response to our environment that should be respected as such. Through positive connection with others, we can learn new ways of relating to our bodies, our spirits, and our world. I use a collaborative approach to treatment, with the belief that without your perspective and input, therapy will not be nearly as beneficial.

The goal of Attentional Mind is to help others become more calm, grounded, and regulated in their daily lives. Whether you're brand new to clinical therapies and stress management concepts, or are looking to expand upon an already existing set of coping skills, Attentional Mind can help. With an emphasis on the utilization of mindfulness dynamics, nervous system regulation, and somatic therapies, Attentional Mind aims to help clients safely and effectively manage depression, anxiety, attentional disorders, and trauma-based symptoms in a safe and supportive therapeutic environment.

At the present time, I am not accepting new clients for individual counseling. However, I will accept clients for a wait list to join treatment groups that I facilitate throughout the year. These include: Empowering Male Survivors of Childhood Abuse, a monthly ERP work group and a monthly OCD support group for skill review to manage OCD symptoms. There is more information in my profile regarding these group treatments.

Hey, welcome. I know the process of trying to find the right therapist can feel overwhelming. When I’ve looked for therapists for myself or as referrals for others, what I generally want to know is who the therapist is, what kind of person they are. Will they get me? Will they judge me? Are they going to actually call me on my stuff, but, in a nice way? These questions make sense. Therapy is vulnerable, it can be raw and real in ways we generally aren’t, even in very close relationships. Change is often hard and sometimes really scary but if you’re ready, I will meet you there.

Your life has profound meaning and strong sense of purpose, that transcends any limitations experienced or imagined. It is alright, and a sign of strength to ask for help and lean on support. Dr. Simon is always available to help.

I believe therapy is about hope, and that it is an act of self-care. There are times in our lives when we experience pain and confusion and find that what we've been doing isn't working as well anymore. I believe individuals have the answers that are best for them. Those answers, however, are buried under the muck - the stuff of life that has accumulated over the years. It is my loving role to help you sort through that to access that part of you that is wise and has those right answers.

Over the course of the past 20 years, I have had the honor of treating youth, adults, families, and couples who have worked through adjustment issues, grief, trauma, anxiety, depression, identity, relationship challenges, infertility, coping with a chronic illness, and conflict resolution.