Meritain Health Therapists in Brooklyn, NY
Are you navigating racial trauma, identity shifts, or the intersections of culture, sexuality, and spirituality? I work with thoughtful, growth-oriented adults (18+) ready to examine patterns and build emotional accountability. Many of my clients are cycle-breaking individuals tired of code-switching, shrinking, and carrying generational weight alone. My approach is trauma-informed, holistic, and culturally grounded. I also facilitate a culturally affirming Parent Support Village for intentional caregivers.
Are you navigating racial trauma, identity shifts, or the intersections of culture, sexuality, and spirituality? I work with thoughtful, growth-oriented adults (18+) ready to examine patterns and build emotional accountability. Many of my clients are cycle-breaking individuals tired of code-switching, shrinking, and carrying generational weight alone. My approach is trauma-informed, holistic, and culturally grounded. I also facilitate a culturally affirming Parent Support Village for intentional caregivers.
You’re capable and driven, but anxiety, adult ADHD, or relationship stress keeps disrupting your focus, motivation, and consistency. You may overthink, people-please, avoid conflict, or fear disconnection in relationships. You want practical coping skills, structure, and accountability, while also understanding how attachment patterns shape your reactions so you can respond with more intention.
You’re capable and driven, but anxiety, adult ADHD, or relationship stress keeps disrupting your focus, motivation, and consistency. You may overthink, people-please, avoid conflict, or fear disconnection in relationships. You want practical coping skills, structure, and accountability, while also understanding how attachment patterns shape your reactions so you can respond with more intention.
When life feels stressful or uncertain, relationships strained, or emotions heightened, we often slip into autopilot. Under pressure, old patterns like anxiety, self-criticism, anger, or shutdown can take over, pulling us away from our values, the life we want to live, and the people we care about most. While anxiety, conflict, and the challenges of ADHD can be painful, they may also be invitations to discover, or rediscover, who we really are. Therapy creates space to be seen and supported, and to relate to ourselves and others with greater intention and compassion.
When life feels stressful or uncertain, relationships strained, or emotions heightened, we often slip into autopilot. Under pressure, old patterns like anxiety, self-criticism, anger, or shutdown can take over, pulling us away from our values, the life we want to live, and the people we care about most. While anxiety, conflict, and the challenges of ADHD can be painful, they may also be invitations to discover, or rediscover, who we really are. Therapy creates space to be seen and supported, and to relate to ourselves and others with greater intention and compassion.
Many of the amazing individuals and couples I work with come to therapy feeling stuck despite having high self-awareness. Maybe you know what that's like. You have a good understanding of yourself and your patterns, but you feel like you're at a loss for how to heal past wounds and make lasting changes. You might be experiencing anxiety, depression, or shame about not being able to get out of your own way. It's tough, especially for folks who are survivors of trauma or have had difficult early life experiences. The good news though is that healing is possible – through therapy that goes deeper.
Many of the amazing individuals and couples I work with come to therapy feeling stuck despite having high self-awareness. Maybe you know what that's like. You have a good understanding of yourself and your patterns, but you feel like you're at a loss for how to heal past wounds and make lasting changes. You might be experiencing anxiety, depression, or shame about not being able to get out of your own way. It's tough, especially for folks who are survivors of trauma or have had difficult early life experiences. The good news though is that healing is possible – through therapy that goes deeper.
My goal is to put people in the driver's seat of their lives, to determine their own future regardless of their past, and to maximize their own potential.
My goal is to put people in the driver's seat of their lives, to determine their own future regardless of their past, and to maximize their own potential.
I am a Mental Health Professional providing care to adults and children for over 9 years. I work with diverse and marginalized individuals and communities providing trauma-informed treatment to individuals and families.
I am a Mental Health Professional providing care to adults and children for over 9 years. I work with diverse and marginalized individuals and communities providing trauma-informed treatment to individuals and families.
Living with ADHD is exhausting: You have to mask around others to appear "normal". You may beat yourself up because of it, causing low self-esteem. Sometimes, it can cause you to have a hard time focusing on the tasks you have to get done. Conflicts occur between you and your loved ones as a result of your executive dysfunction. You are not alone. Like many of us, you’re probably someone who has made valiant efforts to change your life, but because of you being wired differently, it can be hard to do so.
Living with ADHD is exhausting: You have to mask around others to appear "normal". You may beat yourself up because of it, causing low self-esteem. Sometimes, it can cause you to have a hard time focusing on the tasks you have to get done. Conflicts occur between you and your loved ones as a result of your executive dysfunction. You are not alone. Like many of us, you’re probably someone who has made valiant efforts to change your life, but because of you being wired differently, it can be hard to do so.
In our sessions, I offer a space where you can slow down, feel seen, and explore your experiences. Many of the people I work with are navigating anxiety, depression, or stress while also grappling with larger questions surrounding identity, relationships, and the direction of their lives. It can feel overwhelming to carry so many layers at once, and together we can start to understand their role in your larger story.
In our sessions, I offer a space where you can slow down, feel seen, and explore your experiences. Many of the people I work with are navigating anxiety, depression, or stress while also grappling with larger questions surrounding identity, relationships, and the direction of their lives. It can feel overwhelming to carry so many layers at once, and together we can start to understand their role in your larger story.
When life feels heavy, confusing or out of sync having the space to slow down and sort through what is happening can make a difference. Therapy can be a powerful tool in that process. Together we can build a space where you can explore your inner world, feel seen and understood, and gently challenge yourself to grow. We will collaborate to focus in on what matters most to you as we make sense of your experiences, navigate current stressors and build tools to help you feel more grounded and capable moving forward.
When life feels heavy, confusing or out of sync having the space to slow down and sort through what is happening can make a difference. Therapy can be a powerful tool in that process. Together we can build a space where you can explore your inner world, feel seen and understood, and gently challenge yourself to grow. We will collaborate to focus in on what matters most to you as we make sense of your experiences, navigate current stressors and build tools to help you feel more grounded and capable moving forward.
Joalba Drabner is bilingual (Spanish) compassionate social worker with a profound commitment to fostering positive change in individuals and communities. Graduated with her MSW from the University of Utah over a decade ago with hands-on experience, addressing complex social issues and providing support to those in need.
Throughout her career, Joalba has demonstrated exceptional proficiency collaborating with community and government agencies providing case management and community outreach. Joalba's expertise extends to areas
such as mental health evidenced based practices, CBT, DBT, and substance abuse.
Joalba Drabner is bilingual (Spanish) compassionate social worker with a profound commitment to fostering positive change in individuals and communities. Graduated with her MSW from the University of Utah over a decade ago with hands-on experience, addressing complex social issues and providing support to those in need.
Throughout her career, Joalba has demonstrated exceptional proficiency collaborating with community and government agencies providing case management and community outreach. Joalba's expertise extends to areas
such as mental health evidenced based practices, CBT, DBT, and substance abuse.
I am dedicated to helping adults (expatriates, immigrants, and multicultural individuals) who are navigating challenging situations. I specialize in supporting individuals experiencing anxiety and depression related to relocation, life transitions, cross-cultural adjustment, relational difficulties, interpersonal conflicts, past trauma, and unresolved grief. I believe that true healing happens in a safe and supportive environment, where you can feel fully heard and understood.
I am dedicated to helping adults (expatriates, immigrants, and multicultural individuals) who are navigating challenging situations. I specialize in supporting individuals experiencing anxiety and depression related to relocation, life transitions, cross-cultural adjustment, relational difficulties, interpersonal conflicts, past trauma, and unresolved grief. I believe that true healing happens in a safe and supportive environment, where you can feel fully heard and understood.
My experience includes 27 years of working in the field of social service and over 19 years working as a therapist. I have worked with people of many different backgrounds, identities, ages, and experiences and I highly value time with those who identify as LGBTQIA2S+. I provide therapy through a lens of antiracism, intersectionality, and feminism.
My experience includes 27 years of working in the field of social service and over 19 years working as a therapist. I have worked with people of many different backgrounds, identities, ages, and experiences and I highly value time with those who identify as LGBTQIA2S+. I provide therapy through a lens of antiracism, intersectionality, and feminism.
I work with adolescents and adults navigating anxiety, depression, ADHD, addiction, spirituality, and race-related stress. Clients come seeking a safe, understanding space to explore and heal. Together, we create a calm environment that encourages authenticity, emotional growth, and practical strategies to face challenges, build resilience, and move forward with clarity and purpose.
I work with adolescents and adults navigating anxiety, depression, ADHD, addiction, spirituality, and race-related stress. Clients come seeking a safe, understanding space to explore and heal. Together, we create a calm environment that encourages authenticity, emotional growth, and practical strategies to face challenges, build resilience, and move forward with clarity and purpose.
An example of how I work with patients.
A patient realizes that they are feeling unheard, isolated, anxious, and depressed. This patient feels hopeless. Additionally, they are grieving a recent loss.
I offer this patient a compassionate interpersonal connection while understanding that
they feel easily rejected.
Over time their goals were met, self-esteem enhanced, they now enjoy healthy relationships, they feel they have a purpose and a healing grieving path to follow.
Trust, mutual respect and a sense of hope emerged through this therapeutic relationship and created a safe space for this therapuetic work.
An example of how I work with patients.
A patient realizes that they are feeling unheard, isolated, anxious, and depressed. This patient feels hopeless. Additionally, they are grieving a recent loss.
I offer this patient a compassionate interpersonal connection while understanding that
they feel easily rejected.
Over time their goals were met, self-esteem enhanced, they now enjoy healthy relationships, they feel they have a purpose and a healing grieving path to follow.
Trust, mutual respect and a sense of hope emerged through this therapeutic relationship and created a safe space for this therapuetic work.
Are you grappling with the weight of anxiety, depression, or life's challenges? Do you need a safe, empathetic space to share your struggles? Let's work together to help you find relief, growth, and renewed happiness. We can work to break free from emotional pain and discover your inner strength.
Are you grappling with the weight of anxiety, depression, or life's challenges? Do you need a safe, empathetic space to share your struggles? Let's work together to help you find relief, growth, and renewed happiness. We can work to break free from emotional pain and discover your inner strength.
I am in- network with Aetna, Blue Cross (New York commercial plans only), Cigna/Evernorth Fidelis Care, Meritain Health, and United/Oxford/Optum.
Navigating life as a neurodivergent person can bring about anxiety. Changes in daily routine may cause particular distress, and significant life changes may feel impossible to navigate. Every day, social situations can result in sensory overload, which may lead you to isolate. It may feel like the world was not built for people like you, and it is exhausting to try to make it through the day. These feelings are especially present when you are a person of color or from a religious background that may have contributed to a diagnosis later in life.
I am in- network with Aetna, Blue Cross (New York commercial plans only), Cigna/Evernorth Fidelis Care, Meritain Health, and United/Oxford/Optum.
Navigating life as a neurodivergent person can bring about anxiety. Changes in daily routine may cause particular distress, and significant life changes may feel impossible to navigate. Every day, social situations can result in sensory overload, which may lead you to isolate. It may feel like the world was not built for people like you, and it is exhausting to try to make it through the day. These feelings are especially present when you are a person of color or from a religious background that may have contributed to a diagnosis later in life.
You have the strength to face what’s ahead — and you don’t have to do it alone.
I work with teens and adults to create a space where you feel safe, supported, and truly seen. Together, we’ll deepen your self-understanding, break unhelpful patterns, and build healthier ways of coping with life’s challenges.
I believe in a collaborative, personalized approach to therapy because everyone’s path to healing looks different. I welcome clients of all identities and backgrounds and strive to lead with warmth, curiosity, and empathy in every session.
You have the strength to face what’s ahead — and you don’t have to do it alone.
I work with teens and adults to create a space where you feel safe, supported, and truly seen. Together, we’ll deepen your self-understanding, break unhelpful patterns, and build healthier ways of coping with life’s challenges.
I believe in a collaborative, personalized approach to therapy because everyone’s path to healing looks different. I welcome clients of all identities and backgrounds and strive to lead with warmth, curiosity, and empathy in every session.
When you're caring for a medically fragile newborn or facing the complexities of reproductive health, the emotional weight can feel unbearable. You might be navigating grief after a loss, feeling anxious during a high-risk pregnancy, or reeling from the stress of a NICU stay. These are not just medical experiences; they’re deeply personal, emotionally complex moments that deserve care and attention. In our work together, you’ll find a compassionate space to process the pain and begin to reconnect with yourself, your child, and your life.
When you're caring for a medically fragile newborn or facing the complexities of reproductive health, the emotional weight can feel unbearable. You might be navigating grief after a loss, feeling anxious during a high-risk pregnancy, or reeling from the stress of a NICU stay. These are not just medical experiences; they’re deeply personal, emotionally complex moments that deserve care and attention. In our work together, you’ll find a compassionate space to process the pain and begin to reconnect with yourself, your child, and your life.
Have you ever felt like you just couldn’t move forward? Like you’re being held down by the past and just can’t seem to move on? You want to take risks and get out into the world but are worried that anything that can go wrong will go wrong. When people ask what’s wrong, you can’t explain it, but you know that your struggles are real. There’s so much that you want to enjoy, but you’re held back because you don’t know if you can handle it. And yet you are expected to continue with your daily life as if there is nothing wrong. But there is hope.
Have you ever felt like you just couldn’t move forward? Like you’re being held down by the past and just can’t seem to move on? You want to take risks and get out into the world but are worried that anything that can go wrong will go wrong. When people ask what’s wrong, you can’t explain it, but you know that your struggles are real. There’s so much that you want to enjoy, but you’re held back because you don’t know if you can handle it. And yet you are expected to continue with your daily life as if there is nothing wrong. But there is hope.
Are you wondering if your drug or alcohol use is becoming a problem? Do you know that it is a problem, but cannot seem to control it? I am experienced in working with a range of substance use issues, from mild to severe, as well as process or behavioral addictions, such as addictions to sex, shopping, pornography, food, and people.
Effective psychotherapy can include helping limit your use and minimize its consequences, or complete abstinence, and an assessment if medication such as Suboxone, Methadone, or Vivitrol is right for you.
Are you wondering if your drug or alcohol use is becoming a problem? Do you know that it is a problem, but cannot seem to control it? I am experienced in working with a range of substance use issues, from mild to severe, as well as process or behavioral addictions, such as addictions to sex, shopping, pornography, food, and people.
Effective psychotherapy can include helping limit your use and minimize its consequences, or complete abstinence, and an assessment if medication such as Suboxone, Methadone, or Vivitrol is right for you.
See more therapy options for Brooklyn
Nearby Meritain Health Therapists Searches for Brooklyn
- Astoria
- Forest Hills
- Glendale
- Howard Beach
- Long Island City
- Middle Village
- New York
- Rego Park
- Richmond Hill
- Ridgewood
- Sunnyside
- Woodside