Therapists in Bedford Hills, NY

I'm a trans nonbinary therapist who specializes in helping clients navigate OCD, anxiety, and sexual trauma (and often the intersection of all three). I help clients understand that anxiety is not actually an emotion, but a way of avoiding bigger, more unpleasant feelings bubbling beneath the surface. Much of my work consists of helping folks process their grief at the existential nightmare that is the world we live in. Using mind-body therapies like IFS and ERP, I teach clients how to get in touch with these Big Feelings without being swallowed by them.

Mak Morin, LCAT (they/them) is a drama therapist whose clinical ethics are informed by anti-oppressive and transformative political frameworks. They are passionate about the human capacity for liberation and healing, and our ability to empower each other and collectively improve our lives. Mak takes a flexible, relational approach informed by narrative, expressive arts, and play techniques; they partner with clients to co-create a space for reflection and growth.

Are you struggling with difficult family dynamics or a lack of support from your environment? Are you finding that the tools that you have turned to cope, like substance use and avoidance, has taken hold of your life? Are you feeling exhausted or constrained by treatment that sees your experience as a disease and dispenses formulaic solutions? You are not your symptoms and you deserve care from someone who wants to join you, sees you as the multi-layered complex person you are and supports your vision of healing in mind.

I have first hand experience as a member of the neurodivergent, LGBTQ+, and kink communities, and thus have a unique ability to provide insight and support to other members of those communities. I was inspired to become a therapist because of my own experiences with therapy and a desire to help those in marginalized communities

I work collaboratively with clients to establish treatment goals, contextualize current symptoms in relation to your social environment, identify and strengthen current resilience strategies and create opportunities for feedback throughout the process. A typical question I may ask is, “What have you tried so far and how is it working?”, or “Who in your community do you rely on for support and how might they describe the issue(s) you’re facing?”.

Sometimes things happen in our lives that change us in ways we couldn't predict. It might be a single event or an accumulation of experiences over time that rock our sense of stability and trust in ourselves, others, and our confidence to move through the world freely. It can feel like a never-ending battle to keep emotions in check while continuing to juggle all the complex demands of our lives. We end up feeling burnt-out, isolated, detached, and struggle with anxiety, depression, and low self-esteem as we attempt to manage these extremes on our own.

The parts of ourselves that we struggle with are sometimes our greatest assets. Therapy can be a place to better realize our strengths and identify where long-term patterns of narratives and behaviors are no longer serving us. I am passionate about working with LGBTQ and POC on topics such as: gender/sexual identity, anxiety, depression, OCD, acculturation, racial identity, social skills, and relationships. My therapeutic approach incorporates both systemic and relational pieces. We do not exist in a vacuum. All of our experiences shape the person we are today.

We may be a good match if you are seeking an affirming, empowering, trauma-informed space to explore your inner vulnerabilities and identities. My specialty is working with people who are neurodivergent, struggling with neurological disability, or have been diagnosed with a functional or somatoform disorder, including functional neurological disorder (FND). I have experience working with people identifying within the LGBTQIA+ communities. Additionally, I work with clients who are struggling with healthcare trauma and discrimination or those who need coaching through a major life transition. I have sliding scale options available.

Aviva works with clients to foster and establish a trusting and safe environment in order to have an honest exploration of feelings and experiences. Aviva uses psychodynamic and relational approaches to explore the unique experiences of each person.

I practice therapy because I believe relationships are the most important and powerful part of life. I'm invested in understanding who my clients are, building a relationship in which they feel known, and using that connection as a pathway out of shame. My clients often find common ground with me through unconventionality, humor, an appreciation for complexity, and an intersectional lens. I work with adults, teens, and relationship partners on issues relating to complex trauma, queerness and sexuality, ADHD, disability, and nontraditional and non-monogamous relationships.