Chronic Illness Therapists in New York, NY

I received my Master of Social Work degree from Rutgers University and my Violence Against Women and Children certification from Rutgers University. I deeply care about helping clients who have experienced traumatic events. Before choosing a career in Social Work, I obtained a degree in Forensic Psychology from John Jay College of Criminal Justice. At an early age, I realized that helping others brings me joy and fulfillment. Seeing a smile on my clients’ faces and learning they are feeling better is the greatest reward for my work.

I believe there is great value in a curious and non-judgmental exploration of our feelings, thoughts, actions, and relational patterns, in the presence of another person. An interactive and collaborative psychotherapy process can increase empathy for oneself and others, and strengthen ones capacity for making meaningful change, and coping with challenges that arise throughout life.

I hold Certificates from The Center for the Study of Anorexia and Bulimia, where I am a supervisor; am a past president and current faculty member of the NY State Society of Ericksonian Hypnosis and Psychotherapy; and have supervised in the Graduate Programs for Mental Health Counseling and Clinical Social Work at Hunter College/CUNY.

I work with individuals and couples distressed by work, relationships, life transitions, crises/traumas. I have worked extensively with people in the medical world: individuals with chronic illness, medically induced stress/trauma, parents of a medically ill child, family, caregivers, and medical providers. I create a safe space in which to discover one's authentic self and work collaboratively to help people discover what hinders their happiness. With couples, it is essential to understand oneself, one's partner, and their impact on each other, including the negative cycles of interaction between them.

If there ever was a good time to "do" you, this is it. Research documents that social connection and emotional wellbeing play an important role in staving off recurrence and even reversing physical illness - said another way, your mental state can work both for or against your physical health. People come to see me to unpack emotions that've been weighing them down sometimes for years as well as to deal with the uncertainty they're feeling in the present. Perhaps this includes discovering a sense of purpose that has eluded them till now. I don’t just work to help people get out of pain: I work to help them thrive.

My goal as a therapist is to create an open, warm environment where you feel safe and able to explore your authentic self. Whether you are coming to therapy to treat a specific diagnosis, seek support in navigating a life transition, learn to cope with a chronic illness or find more meaning in your life, I will support you in your journey. Utilizing the various modalities in which I have been trained, I will create an integrated and individualized treatment approach to help you become more aware of the patterns in your life and learn the skills to help you meet your goals.

My goal as an integrated heath care professional is to treat the whole body; so patients can experience changes in sensation, perception, thought or behavior corresponding to his or their mental or physical health needs. My success in treating chronic illness is founded in the idea that all therapeutic relationships are a partnership of patient and clinician in restoring the body to health. The use of Hypnotherapy and Psychotherapy can address a variety of physical and mental health issues in a shorter time; with longer lasting effects.

Maybe you're unsure of what is bothering you, but are aware that something isn’t working for you anymore. Perhaps you're supportive and patient with others, but are self-critical, high-achieving, and set unrealistic expectations for yourself. Maybe you're tired of worrying all the time or feeling stuck in cycles of thinking about the same things. Until now, you've likely been pushing yourself to cope with what you’ve been feeling on your own. If you tend to prioritize others, you may be hoping to learn how to set healthy boundaries and communicate assertively, so you can better tend to your own needs.

I work with my clients to create an authentic and collaborative relationship while enabling clients to develop insight and coping strategies. I work with individuals and couples dealing with a range of concerns including depression, anxiety, fertility treatment and chronic illness. I help clients explore their stressors, gain insight into their patterns and develop solutions. I am trained in Internal Family Systems (IFS) and implement an active and psychodynamic approach to help clients explore challenges and reach their goals.

Sometimes it feels like we're moving through life on auto-pilot. With work and other stressors, it is hard to find time to slow down, to breathe, to focus on the present. I believe therapy is about letting go of the things we are trying to control and making choices towards a more fulfilling life. To facilitate this, I help clients openly face life’s challenges and create lasting changes. I offer a collaborative, non-judgmental, and safe space for my clients to facilitate behavior change and self-exploration.

I am a licensed clinical social worker who believes in the power of understanding ones own story. I do not believe that you are “broken,” or that you need “fixing.” I use a combination of mindfulness, strength-based, and compassion-focused approaches to empower my clients to re-claim parts of their story and achieve self-acceptance. I strive to help clients interpret past experiences and to unburden emotional pain, which can improve your relationships, help you achieve your goals, and improve your overall quality of life.

Greetings! I am a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist providing psychotherapy to individuals, couples and families with ten years’ service in this very rewarding work. Our team works with everyone including BIPOC, the LGBTQ+ Community, all religions and backgrounds, ages 5 to 95. I also provide group therapy to address Domestic Violence and Self-Esteem in addition to Parenting with Purpose, classes for those with ACS involvement and mandated to a parenting program by the court. I have significant experience addressing the effects of racism, chronic illness, depression, anxiety, grief and bereavement, family conflict and more.

I am a Licensed Master Social Worker in the State of New York and earned Bachelor of Science degrees in Psychology and Neuroscience from Syracuse University, where I also earned a Master of Social Work degree. As a licensed therapist focused on providing comprehensive mental health care, I have worked in a variety of settings including community mental health clinics, non-profit organizations, private practice, academic settings, and clinical research.

I have a specialization in helping individuals, families and couples live more successfully with chronic illness and adjust to various stressors. I also have extensive experience treating relationship and family conflicts, challenges of different life stages, depression, anxiety, bereavement, conflicts associated with substance abuse and self-defeating behaviors including when people habitually undermine themselves or find themselves drawn to situations where they will be disappointed, fail or be mistreated. My goal is to help you feel comfortable with the therapeutic process so you can freely discover new alternatives and choices.

Accepting New Clients Now. Do you have a hard time recognizing and sitting with emotions? Questioning if your relationships are healthy? Maybe you feel stressed out by your co-workers or classmates who don’t get you because of your race or sexual orientation. Experiencing imposter syndrome? Is it getting harder to show up with joy because you are dealing with a chronic illness on top of everything else? If these things are getting in the way of you living your life the way you want, I’m here for you. Hello. I'm Dr. Jonathan Mathias Lassiter. But please, call me Jonathan. I'm a licensed clinical psychologist ready to help you.

I am currently accepting new clients. I offer a warm, empathetic, judgment-free, and safe space for adults. This space will invite you to explore all parts of yourself and create more meaning in your lives. I believe that individual challenges are unique to your experiences, circumstances, cultural and spiritual beliefs, and personal identity. I find that the most important aspect of therapy is the relationship between the client and therapist. With this uniquely beautiful relationship, I believe the path to healing is more accessible.

I work with individuals navigating the intricacies of the human experience to help them cope with emotions that impact relationships with the self and others. My practice specializes in supporting individuals facing anxiety, depression, grief/loss, chronic illness, life transitions, and pregnancy/postpartum support.

I’m Courtlyn Shimada, a therapist with a passion for understanding you and how you thrive. Therapy can be joyful and healing, as well as challenging. Through the highs, lows, and plateaus, I am committed to creating a warm and empowering space where together we can explore any obstacles that life may present. I offer a holistic approach, considering not only your individual dynamics but also the impact of the broader environment and societal systems. Together, we may navigate through feelings of depression, anxiety, or grief, and struggles with chronic illness or significant life changes.

If you are living with or beyond illness and loss or caring for someone who is, either as a family member/friend or professional, seeking out therapy is one way to take care of yourself as you navigate the challenges that come with these experiences. I believe that even in the most difficult times of life, people have an amazing capacity to grow, learn, connect, love, and find meaning and purpose. This can be balanced with the more uncomfortable feelings that come along with illness, survivorship, loss, and caregiving. I offer a non-judgemental and empathic therapeutic space where we will work together to find this balance.