Mindfulness-Based (MBCT) Therapists in Downtown, Brooklyn, NY

I offer my patients an approach to psychotherapy that encompasses infinite compassion and a non-judgmental nature creating an environment that promotes healing, growth, and recovery from a variety of mental health concerns. As your therapist, I will utilize scientifically proven interventions in an integrated fashion, which will often be informed by Mindfulness and other contemplative traditions to develop a dynamic and effective therapeutic experience for you. For those requiring psychiatric medication management assistance, I collaborate effectively with prescribers assuring optimal coordination of care.

I love working with folks of color who have a general curiosity about their internal dialogue & have an interest in making tiny but impactful adjustments to improve how we feel about & navigate the world. It's important in my work to celebrate points of success and begin dancing instead of wrestling with our sadness or frustration. Those little nagging internal messages that fill us with doubt, imposter syndrome, and need to feel calm but having uncertainty about where to start are my focus when working together! I also conduct Immigration Evaluations for: Adam Walsh, VAWA, Hardship Waiver, U Visa, T Visa, & Asylum cases.

I hold compassionate, knowledgeable, and supportive space which will help you to express, explore, and work through deeply held feelings and gain clarity and insight into critical areas of your life. I have more than two decades of experience working in various healing and teaching capacities with highly diverse populations of adults, children and families, and I would love to support you in your mental and emotional wellness. I have formal training in Psychodynamic Psychotherapy, Brainspotting (Phases 1-4), Parts Work, Somatic Experiencing, Play Therapy, Sand Tray, Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy, and I am Certified in Hypnotherapy.

I am a licensed psychotherapist with over 18 years of experience specializing in the treatment of anxiety, depression, trauma, and relationship & family conflict. I use an eclectic treatment approach that incorporates cognitive interventions, solution-focused strategies and stress reduction techniques stemming from a psychodynamic framework. I believe in the strong connection between mind and body, and incorporate mindfulness -based practices in my work. In addition to in-office and tele-health visits, I now offer Walk Therapy as part of my practice. Walk Therapy allows for mindful exploration and growth through physical movement.

Whatever your reason for seeking help, it is my commitment to meet you where you are with compassion. You have unique perspectives and experiences, shaped over time, and exploring these together can be an integral step in cultivating peace and growth.

Psychotherapy offers a way to identify one’s thoughts, feelings and behaviors that result from life's naturally occurring challenges. This collaborative work encourages self-awareness and development of new ways of being. While I work with people seeking therapy for a variety of reasons, my specialties include mood disorders, relationship issues, and chronic illness/pain disorders. I integrate motivational, cognitive-behavioral and mindfulness -based approaches to help each person meet their goals. I also utilize a harm reduction framework to help individuals explore their substance use and identify opportunities for change.

Come as you are. Psychotherapy is a safe and private place to explore the issues preventing you from living a more productive, meaningful, happier life. I'm aware that it takes an incredible amount of courage to walk into a therapy room and share things that require great vulnerability. My approach is person-centered, empathic and flexible, meeting clients where they are in their lives and helping them to identify and work on areas they would like to change or explore. I utilize supportive, mindfulness based and existential therapies with some use of CBT and thoughtfully inserted levity.

Therapy often goes into areas that were likely too difficult to look at on one’s own. People have different methods of avoiding this discomfort: drugs, engagement in risky or soul-emptying sexual practices, over-working, over-eating, over-thinking. Even yoga and meditation can deceptively serve to block out pain under the guise of “being in the moment.” Rather than encourage clients to aggressively get rid of these methods, I help them gently explore the pain or fear that made such habits necessary. I pay careful attention to ensure that clients feel safe to go through this vulnerable experience--and come out on the other side.

Dr. Downey creates a warm, validating, and authentic environment for her clients. She specializes in working with adults facing a variety of challenges, including but not limited to depression, anxiety, trauma, disordered eating, and relationship difficulties. Dr. Downey is invested in supporting her clients improve their quality of life, alleviate suffering, create and sustain meaningful relationships and establish emotional well being.

Artists, musicians and creatives have unique challenges with personal needs and artistic goals. You may compare yourself negatively to others, deal with perfectionism and anxiety, battle inner voices that tell you you’re “not ready” and not good enough. If so, NOW is a great time to talk. You might even be overthinking therapy - growth and innovation don’t come from staying in the "uncomfortable comfort zone"! Just reach out. We'll find new strategies for mood swings or stuck situations (with your partner, band, team, family...) If that includes processing painful memories, I'm here for you. Artists don't have to struggle alone!

Hello and welcome, my name is Louise! My goal is first and foremost to create a safe and affirming therapeutic space where you feel your experiences are being heard and valued. I am passionate about holistic and empowering approaches to therapy and believe that therapy should be an individualized and collaborative experience. Therefore, I tailor each session to fit the individual needs of my client and draw from integrative, strength-based, and mindfulness models.

There are times in life when our usual coping strategies and support networks are not enough and feelings such as anxiety, depression, helplessness, and inadequacy can take over. It is at these times that psychotherapy can help to successfully navigate life's challenges. I help clients to better understand how past and current experiences impact their current wellbeing, and to make positive changes that will contribute to improved feelings of competence in managing relationships, changes, and other stressors more productively. I specialize in working with individuals who may be struggling with anxiety, depression, anger, relationships, life transitions, parenting, and loss.

For over 25 years, I have provided forensic consultation to New York State and Federal courts on criminal, family, and civil matters. Also, I see patients on a regular basis for neuropsychological testing to evaluate the effects of brain trauma, learning disabilities, and ADD on everyday living. In addition, sex offender work-ups (which include computer-based testing and clinical polygraph) are offered through my practice (NY Forensic) for the purpose of risk assessment and dispositional recommendations for the court.

Have you spent countless hours deciding what decisions to make, but fear and anxiety prevent you from being able to make them? You are not alone. As a therapist, I have over 15 years of experience helping people cope with anxiety, grief, loss, and life transitions. Unexpected daily events or life changing ones such as a recent breakup, job loss, or the loss of a loved one, can be hard to accept and deal with. Therapy can help you understand your fears and to develop ways of managing them. Your anxiety will no longer control you, and you will not be fearful of making the "wrong" decision.

Warm, down-to-earth, capable psychotherapist uses an integrative approach: cognitive therapy, psychodynamic and psychoanalytic means, dreams, symbols, narrative , mindfulness and other approaches -- to identify core conflicts and bring you to a more fulfilling life. I graduated Hunter School of Social Work; completed a fellowship at NYU Psychoanalytic Institute, a one year program in modern psychoanalysis,and have continued training in couples counseling, poetry therapy,dream interpretation.and Jungian therapy. I take a whole person approach

You deserve to live a life that leaves you excited to wake up every morning. I believe one of the bravest things you can do is begin to understand your own story. Calling a therapist can be intimidating; take a moment, maybe even a deep breath. Allow me the opportunity to create a safe and Zen space for you. Together we can begin this journey of personal growth and healing. There is no pivotal time like the present to take this step to elevate yourself out of the cycle of bad relationships, grudges, trauma, or being anxious/angry all the time.

I believe that at their very core, human beings desire to live meaningful, connected lives. Using a cognitive, as well as existential and spiritual approach, I will help you engage your suffering in a fresh way so you can live a more present, contented existence. I am a mindfulness -based, existential psychotherapist located in Brooklyn, New York. My ideal client is someone who is interested in an alternative to Western psychology and has some interest or experience in Eastern thought or spirituality. Anyone who has found usefulness in psychedelics in the past could also be a good fit.