Family Therapy in Lower Manhattan, New York, NY

Relationship expert/infidelity issues. AASECT certified sex therapist, licensed Marriage and Family therapist , licensed psychoanalyst, licensed clinical psychiatric social worker. I've been in practice for over 25 years and during that time I've been able to treat a wide range of emotional problems in individuals, couples, adolescents, and families. Discovering the underlying causes of symptoms is the best way to produce a lasting cure. Through our work together you will attain a resolution or reduction of symptoms, gain a deeper self understanding and acceptance, and function authentically at your best in all aspects of your life.

Cristina Spataro has worked with children and families in crisis for the past 17 years. If there is one thing she has learned, it is that everyone has the capacity for change if they truly want it. Life is hard, and the “right” choices are not always so apparent. Our decisions and their consequences leave us questioning ourselves.

Psychoanalytic work is a journey taken by two people - the therapist and the patient. I think of psychoanalytic work as a voyage of discovery. Here is a safe place where you can stop, take your time, look, listen to yourself. A place to go when you feel stuck in your life. I have psychodynamic and multicultural perspectives to work with individuals with issues that maybe very specific - a relationship, a job, a developmental issue, repetitive thoughts and rituals, trouble with addictions, a death, a marriage, family issues. Or it could be more perplexing - a vague feeling something is wrong.

I'm glad you found me! Let's make this work for you from the comfort and privacy of your own home through Teletherapy. As an attachment based therapist, I help my clients work through conflict, identify attachment styles and explore family of origin systems. Our work together will always focus on self-compassion, communication skill building and maintaining emotional regulation. I work with individuals, couples and families.

I am a psychotherapist in New York City with over seven years of experience in the field. I received my master's degree in clinical social work from New York University and I have completed three years of advanced training as a couples and family therapist at The Ackerman Institute in NYC. I offer a collaborative and integrative style that draws from relational, narrative, feminist, and mindfulness-based theories. I am LGBTQ-aware and affirming. Social justice and cultural humility are at the root of all the work I do.

I believe therapy can help us navigate our lowest moments and achieve our greatest happiness, whether in relationships, careers, or within ourselves. It gives us the freedom to take chances and break negative patterns. Emphasizing collaboration, compassion, and encouragement, I work with individual adults, teens, children, couples, and families. Relationship conflict, anxiety and depression, trauma and grief are among my areas of specialty. I often work with those driven to achieve — offering help coping with pressure, finding fulfillment, and understanding how past experiences can influence the present in subtle yet powerful ways.

Are you experiencing difficult feelings or having a challenging moment? Take this opportunity to take care of your emotional experience and listen to yourself in a contained, safe and none-judgmental environment. You are not going to be alone in this process; I will be by your side in this inner journey. You will have an empathetic listener, customized exploration, thoughtful observations, and knowledgeable and collaborative analysis to gain insight about the most intimate parts of yourself and start the healing process.

Together we find the words and unconscious memories and conflicts that freeze and stop you for experiencing the life you would like to lead. And you didn't even know why you felt so stuck. Once this is brought to your awareness almost immediately a wider range of feelings and thoughts are released to give you more control over your whole life which includes family , friendships, work and general sense of well being.

You are the expert in your life and journey. Even when we think we have the best skills, it can sometimes feel like we are losing grasp of key areas in our lives. As those strings begin to unravel, we can feel the impact of complicated interactions with family and loved ones. We might experience a disconnect between our goals and our current station in life. I work with individuals and couples to share their thoughts freely, explore challenges, and develop solutions and coping mechanisms that support overall wellness.

If you feel ready to pursue a more fulfilling, happier life experience, I am here to help. I work with a diverse group of clients of all ages, who face a range of challenges: trauma, difficulties with relationships, low self-esteem; fears and anxieties; depression, parenting, and major life transitions, addictions, eating disorders, ADHD, grief, family conflict.

Immediate Openings Via Telehealth. Do you feel unsatisfied with the status of your relationships whether it’s your current partnership, family , friendships, or even how you feel about yourself? You watch as other people go on to have successful relationships while you feel stuck in repeat. You might have tried a plethora of therapists in the past that don’t connect with you or seem not to understand where you are coming from. You are looking for someone to tell you like it is, understands where you are coming from, and invest in your future success.

I am a licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT) and Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) in private practice in New York City. I treat Adults, Adolescents, and Children. I provide Individual Therapy, Family Therapy , Couples Therapy, Marriage Therapy, Group Therapy, Play Therapy, Mindfulness, and Sandplay Therapy. In addition, to the many clinical issues I treat (Anxiety/Depression) I provide specialized treatments in Substance Abuse/Dependence, and Methadone/Suboxone (Medication Assisted-Treatment- Counseling), ADHD/ADD, and Social Skills training (all patients/ Asperger's).

I am an engaging, curious therapist who utilizes multiple therapeutic approaches while keeping my client's safety and trust at the center of my focus. Clients tell me I'm relatable and warm, with a good sense of humor. I am passionate about creating something truly alive, and life-changing between us. I welcome all parts of the client into our attachment, especially the messy and difficult parts. I am dedicated to ensuring that our therapy works, that we have clear goals and objectives, and that clients feel themselves moving towards the life they want.

For the ambitious, high-achievers in their early 20-30’s, life can be quite overwhelming. Juggling family responsibilities, romantic interests, and career aspirations while trying to establish a strong sense of independence is no small task. You may be left feeling like you're navigating the shift into early adulthood without a map, or charting new waters without land in sight. You may feel like you are doing a lot more, but not necessarily getting a lot more done and the expectation that reaching a certain milestone will bring comfort is constantly being met with disappointment, leaving you feeling unmotivated and unfulfilled.

I am an Individual, Couples, and Family Therapist practicing in NYC for the past several years. I have completed a post graduate training program at the Ackerman Institute for the Family , and have training in Emotionally Focused Couples Therapy and trauma-informed practice. My practice is collaborative, engaging, transparent, and empathetic. I work to build bridges of understanding within and amongst individuals using a systemic approach that focuses on reducing blame, hopelessness, and anxiety so as to build bonds of connection, love, and compassion. View my website: HopeKelaherTherapy.com.