Therapy is the pursuit of change and as a process it hinges on your belief (however fragile) in a better life. As a therapist I privilege emotionally resonant, mutually engaged experience and one of my primary tasks is to learn how to be with you so that you can move toward connection and self-revelation.

Whether this is your first time in therapy or you are continuing your therapy journey, I'm glad you are here. Life sure can have a way of getting complicated or messy. Relationships change, life events happen, depression or anxiety creep up, daily stress becomes unmanageable, self-esteem is challenged, the list can go on… I am here to offer individualized, solution-focused therapy in a safe, supportive and non-judgmental manner. I believe therapy can foster healing, recovery, growth and change. It is my hope that you will feel empowered to embrace your goals and work towards wellbeing that you deserve.

Everyone deserves to feel at home in their body. I work using an intersectional feminist perspective with a focus on trauma, gender, sexuality and wellness and specialize in working with LGBTQ+, TGNCNB and queer identified communities. Working with a therapist as you strive towards your goals of healing can be an act of liberation and a vital part of envisioning a just future for yourself and the world you live in. The mind and body are impacted when you experience stress and trauma and my approach is to address both using tools like meditation, EFT, guided visualization, and body movement.

Are you having difficulty coping with stresses in your daily life? Having difficulty transitioning to a new job, new relationship, or new apartment? Feeling sad or anxious? Having difficulty sleeping? Feeling lost or overwhelmed? If so I can provide you with a supportive environment in which you can talk about your present concerns.

As a Psychotherapist, I am first of all an ally who provides support and a safe space to be. Then we go on a journey together. We uncover and identify the issues that are causing anxiety, depression, anger and low self-esteem. We discover the patterns of behavior that sabotage success in relationships and career. As things become clear we examine new solutions, possibilities and ways of being. Clients in my practice have discovered new talents, found satisfying relationships and built successful careers. They have developed a stronger sense of who they are and what they want in life.

As a Licensed Creative Arts Therapist (LCAT) I believe that creativity is an essential tool for self-discovery, transformation and health. I have a trauma-informed, holistic and individualized approach, and I collaborate with clients to help you on your journey to self-discovery and emotional well-being. I deeply value the role of our therapeutic relationship, and together we will cultivate a healing practice that works for you and your current needs.

I am interested in each person's story and what brings him or her to therapy. My genuine interest in people plays an important role in addition to my 25 years of experience. I see my job as helping each person understand what may be blocking him or her from getting what he/she wants in life. I use a variety of techniques, tailored to each person's needs. I enjoy the process of forming a unique, collaborative relationship with each individual, leading to helpful change.

Whether you have experienced the agony of a significant Trauma or the hidden devastation of prolonged emotional trauma, these experiences can lead to fractures in a person's sense of self, adaptive capacity and inner cohesion, often resulting in anxiety, depression, somatic disorders, self-esteem difficulties and interpersonal struggles. Using a blend of different perspectives with empathy and understanding, I aim to foster a supportive therapeutic relationship and create a holding space to process painful experiences, deepen insight into thoughts and feelings, and build connections with the felt sense in the body.

My therapeutic style emphasizes the importance of accepting each of my clients unique issues and needs. I strive to create a warm, safe, and collaborative atmosphere where my clients can share their emotions. I think we all have the capacity to learn and grow at all stages of life, and therapy can be a helpful growth tool. I also recognize the importance of building a strong therapeutic relationship with my clients, and through this relationship, we work to help develop effective coping skills.

My ideal client is a male/female in their late 20's, 30's, 40's or 50's who has a specific life issue they want to resolve. Whether that's an issue with dating, a relationship, or your marriage, I am extremely good at dissecting a problem and mapping out a solution. I also am an expert at solving parenting issues with divorced or separated couples. I understand relationships at every age: whether it's a client who wants to be in a committed relationship or someone who is questioning their marriage or commitment.

My goal is to help clients overcome those difficulties that interfere with a life of authenticity, purpose and contentment. I have extensive post-graduate training and years of experience teaching other therapists child, adolescent and adult psychotherapy. Our therapeutic work may offer thoughtful questions, insights, suggestions, skills training and emotional support, drawing on an array of approaches including interpretive understanding, cognitive restructuring, problem solving, Habits of Mind principles and DBT-based affective regulation.I encourage feedback about the process, as this is often vital in refining our work together. Therapy with children and adolescents stresses careful assessment to understand what treatment approaches would be optimal.

Marriage and Relationship Counseling for same sex and heterosexual couples is one of my specialties. As relationships change and evolve it is not uncommon to find ourselves stuck in a place of conflict or distance. We may find ourselves feeling misunderstood, angry, and alone. One of the tools I have found most helpful in working with couples is the Intentional Dialogue. It is the foundation of Imago Relationship Therapy of which I am a trained and certified practitioner. With this tool and other related approaches, I can teach and have couples experience effective communication, which is essential to restoring connection and transforming conflict into growth.

With experience in helping people with a wide range of life issues, I'll offer you my calming presence and solution-focused approach. My aim is to provide a safe environment for you to heal and to grow. I've worked with people facing anxiety and stress, depression, life transitions, substance use, relationship issues, and more. Part of my work includes teaching individualized meditation, breathing, and yoga techniques to help you overcome challenges and develop your strengths. While each of our stories and struggles are unique, I will always adapt to your style and support you in reaching your goals.

When questions arise about your child's education, do you find yourself preoccupied with decisions about your child's educational future? At times do others tell you that you are over-reacting? Do and and your child have differing opinions? Are you looking for opportunities to talk about these changes that impact your and your family? I offer understanding, support in an accepting setting where these questions can be talked about.

Often when clients begin the process of looking for a therapist, they find themselves in a place where something is no longer working for them. This place can be overwhelming, and they may feel stuck or hopeless but can’t always pinpoint the reason. As their therapist, I provide a safe space to listen to their story and explore what brought them in. Through the work of therapy, clients begin to discover the roots of their patterns and behaviors and how they can be reworked over time. I work with individuals going through life transitions whose struggles include relationship issues, anxiety, depression and trauma.

Working together I can help in overcoming personal struggles caused by painful experiences, unhealthy relationships and poor self esteem. Learning to see ourselves through a healthy perspective instead of our criticisms and insecurities can help in creating a healthier approach to overcome the obstacles that prevent us from enjoying a fulfilling life.

I know seeking therapy can appear as a sign of weakness but I want to assure you that it is not. I want to congratulate you on taking the first step along your mental health journey. I'm here to support you through life's unexpected challenges. It is my personal and professional interest to help provide you with the tools you need to cope and manage daily stressors, whether it is a sudden change or adjusting to a new norm. I can help you identify behaviors and patterns as it relates to daily stressors and coping skills. I have experience working with individuals of all ages in various practice settings.

Barbara Fried is a psychotherapist with over 30 years of experience. A native New Yorker, she has focused her practice working with adults and couples. Barbara takes a multi-faceted approach to therapy and develops a caring environment with her clients.

Are you having a hard time coping with the “new normal?” Is it difficult to find your center amidst all of this anxiety and uncertainty? Would you like to find kindness, connection and good in the midst of this collective challenge?

Stress, confusion and fear prevent us from accessing the motivation and energy needed to create a more fulfilling and successful life. And getting to a place of peace and emotional well-being requires not only your attention and great care but also a guide, someone to facilitate your effort. I'm in ongoing advanced training in psychoanalytic and psychodynamic psychotherapy but unlike typical analysts I don't act like a blank screen. I have a modern approach to therapy and provide feedback and encourage collaboration with my clients.