Experiential Therapy in Midtown West, New York, NY

For over a decade as a psychotherapist in several settings, I have witnessed insurmountable suffering when mental illness remains untreated. As an addict, you may feel powerless; that your life is unmanageable and consequences are escalating. Allow me to help you recover and explore what your life has to offer when you let go of shame, guilt and self-judgement. Transformation occurs in recovery as you move from isolation and despair, to a life of freedom and joy with endless possibilities. As a somatic practitioner, I use body felt-senses as well as a psychodynamic approach to help resolve traumas and increase your resiliency.

In New York City, life's pressures are relentless. You strive for success but often feel not quite good enough. In relationships, you give your heart, yet feel utterly drained, receiving very little in return. The weight of anxiety bears down on you, causing sleepless nights and trembling moments of self-doubt. You're not alone in these challenges. The good news is, transforming them is possible! Together, we'll turn your anxiety into strength and reshape your relationship patterns into sources of joy. There are ways! It's time for you to find peace, balance, and happiness in the heart of this bustling city.

Change, either planned or unexpected, is the most anxiety provoking factor in our lives - and the most constant! You need the skills to confront change, to stay calm and self-confident, to analyze and take effective action. Unconscious mental habits - distrust of others, self doubt - can interfere with this process. I will work with you to identify and CHANGE those bad habits. I work in a multi-faceted approach through psychoanalytic exploration of key life experiences and a systematic program of change through cognitive-behavioral techniques, relaxation, and meditation. It works!

I believe that mental and emotional suffering is best healed in the context of a safe and caring therapeutic relationship. Drawing on an emotion-focused and relational psychotherapy style, we see the client-therapist relationship as the foundation for healing and growth. My style is active and we will work collaboratively with you in order to create a safe, comfortable, and supportive atmosphere for us to explore past and present-day difficulties.

As a licensed creative arts therapist (drama, art, music, movement, play. creative writing) my skills are especially suitable for clients who have been through levels of trauma (domestic violence, divorce, dating abuse, PTSD, grief and loss, depression, self-harm, anxiety. etc.). In addition, I work with high-functioning kids/teens on the autism spectrum. I have found that the visual and physical work of role-playing, scene-work, improvisation, simple drawings, and video work increases their skills to recognize facial cues and feelings. Through play, these clients build self-esteem, social skills, deepen their emotional range and gain empathy.

Welcome! I started Water & Stone to support people, such as yourself, in finding a therapist or therapy group that fits your current needs, budget, and availability. When we speak I'll listen to what has been going on in your life and brings you to therapy before talking through options and sharing more about each group or therapist. My goal is that you find the right fit for you, so you can begin to feel a shift or relief within the first session.

Do past traumas feel like they block you from living the life you want? Have you tried traditional talk therapy but you still feel stuck? We can help. The Inner Stage is an innovative group practice that incorporates cutting-edge experiential therapies customized for the diverse needs of clients of all backgrounds and identities. Creator Valerie Simon, LCSW, TEP, CET III, has been an experiential therapist for almost 30 years and specializes in trauma resolution through IFS and psychodrama. All TIS practitioners have training in IFS plus other experiential modalities.

Everyday you have a choice to be your highest and best self. My goal as a psychotherapist is to help you discover your true 'authentic' self and encourage you to rely upon your own inner wisdom, strength, and resilience to overcome the challenges you face. I incorporate an integrated and relational approach to psychotherapy that addresses the spiritual, mental, emotional and physical levels of healing. I tailor sessions to meet client's unique needs and life experiences. I utilize treatment strategies from various modalities. The journey is to do the inner work... to Be, to Heal and to Live.

As a therapist, I use an interactive, “here and now” approach. I believe that relationships are healing, and that a strong connection and open dialogue between myself and the client is the most effective path toward change.

At times in our lives we are faced with transitions, experiences, or emotions that can feel destabilizing or challenge our familiar ways of coping. Present day stressors may lead to anxiety or depression, or connect with unresolved trauma from the past. Developing a strong therapeutic relationship with clients provides the safety and connection that is key for therapy to be helpful. It is a foundation from which to explore and understand your feelings and experiences. I am active and collaborative in listening, inquiring, and guiding.

Healing and transformation rests on the trust and support of the therapeutic relationship. I prioritize building an authentic relationship where you feel safe to be vulnerable without judgment. I aim to help you work through the core of your issues, not just a quick fix. I specialize in body-oriented psychotherapy that includes analysis of both the mind and body to deepen your understanding of your issues and to facilitate change. Working with the body can engender more meaningful awareness, symptomatic relief and transformation.

Life can be challenging. And our friends/ family may try to help, yet their well intentions cannot provide the effective skills to help ward off suffering and regulate emotions. Whether therapy seems frightening or it's familiar to you, the clarity and tools gained in this process are worth it! Reach out & let us help you transform suffering into love. You'll experience improvement in your relationships and in your overall wellbeing! Please know that speaking with a stranger to work through intimate issues is a profound act of faith, courage and, hope.

Why am I acting this way? Why am I like this? Can I feel better? I understand how painful and disconcerting feeling like this can be. And yet, I believe you deserve to truly know, accept, appreciate and love all of you. I will guide and support you in your therapeutic journey, and you will learn the skills to understand your past, face your present with more confidence, and ultimately look forward to enjoying your future. Self-discovery and healing are essential to leading a fulfilled life and they are a long-term investment in you and your loved ones.

For more than a decade, I've worked with individuals and couples in crisis due to infidelity, abusive relationships and recent loss. I also help premarital couples get off to a good start, and assist established couples seeking to improve their relationships in the areas of communication, conflict resolution, intimacy and parenting. As a trauma-informed MFT, I believe our past experiences impact the way we form our identity and relate to each other in the present. As a Christian therapist, I integrate spirituality with IFS, EMDR and the Gottman Method.

I work with clients to help identify, process and heal relational issues whether it be familial, romantic, professional, or platonic. I also work with clients suffering from and feeling held back by the scars of trauma, emotional wounds, and maladaptive behavior patterns. I help clients to acknowledge their pain and/or the role they play in their dissatisfaction, slowly process it, accept it, and implement new paths forward so they can take back control of their lives and enjoy closer relationships.

My approach to psychotherapy is collaborative and experiential. I strive to create a safe and supportive therapeutic relationship through which you can share, express freely, and activate your deepest potential for transformation. I am devoted to the well-being of my clients and provide the best possible therapy to help facilitate insight and growth. Areas of expertise include trauma, PTSD, anxiety, depression, addiction, family dynamic/attachment and relationship. I also offer services for clients working toward specific personal goals in the areas of, student/school, career/improved work-life, purpose and personal potential.

I believe that prioritizing yourself in this way, seeking help when you need it, is an act of true strength. Long before I became a therapist, I was a client and it’s never lost on me what an act of radical and beautiful bravery it is to blindly trust someone to walk with you through this investment in yourself. I don’t take the therapeutic relationship or your trust in me as a therapist lightly. My goal is to help you develop sustainable skills to best manage the ups, downs, and in-betweens.

I am a Psychotherapist and Sex Therapist, and the Administrative Director for Liberation Psychotherapy, my private therapy practice. To schedule a 15-minute telephone consultation with me, click on the "website" icon on my profile here; you will be able to schedule a consultation on my electronic calendar. I am accepting a few new patients for the hours of 5-10 pm, Monday-Friday. No A.M. hours. Guided by the scientific research and theories of Carl Rogers and Albert Ellis, I am interested in using profound and philosophical existential and humanistic therapies to help people to understand their own complex and worthy humanity.

It is my firm belief that everyone deserves a safe and supportive space to be heard. As Irvin Yalom said, “It’s the relationship that heals.” - the relationship between therapist and client is the most important part of therapy. It is my aim, as a therapist, to show up for my clients in this way and be a supportive agent in their own facilitation of growth and change.