Therapists in Rochester, NY

I am offering tele-therapy through video to all who want to be seen during this time. As a therapist for 25 years I have had the opportunity to counsel children, teens and adults. I have worked as a high school counselor and as drug and alcohol counselor for students and families in several school districts. I have also worked for several years counseling adults with various issues, problems and concerns. If you are feeling overwhelmed, depressed, anxious or grieving lets explore the options that are available for you to find harmony again.

Life gets hard, and sometimes you just need a little guidance to navigate through life's absurdity. I'm here to help you peel off those layers of societal expectations and find your true, unapologetic self. Think of me as your cheerleader, coach, and sarcastic best friend all rolled into one. Let's ditch the fake smiles and embrace the beautiful chaos of being authentically you. Together, we'll laugh, cry, and probably make terrible puns along the way. I am deeply committed to creating a safe and supportive space for my clients to explore their experiences and work toward growth and healing.

You’ve been working so hard to keep it all together, yet life still feels messy and overwhelming. Anxiety keeps you up at night, and perfectionism destroys any sense of success you start to experience. You’re trying to balance a relationship, get ahead in school or your career, and all the while you’re trying to convince everyone that you’re in control and you know exactly what you’re doing. It’s exhausting, and it’s not getting you any closer to the life you thought you would have by now. You’re here because you are ready to make a change. Let me walk beside you through the process.

The decision to seek help for a problem is often a difficult one. People pursue therapy for a variety of reasons. Some may enter therapy to address major life changes, such as becoming a parent, and others may seek help in managing mental health conditions, like depression. Many people seek counseling because they have identified specific goals or issues that they wish to work on. Others may be encouraged by family, friends, or medical professionals to seek help. Whatever the motivation, it takes courage to attend therapy, and it takes dedication to see it through.

You are not alone and you deserve to be heard! I am a highly skilled therapist with a proven track record in providing healing, transformation and self-discovery with issues such as trauma, depression, anxiety, loss, communication and physical illness. I also offer clinical supervision to social workers. Within our safe and brave space, you will learn to relate to yourself (and others) in healthier ways. We all have strengths to build upon in our journey to personal healing and growth. I am accepting both individual clients and group members and look forward to supporting you!

As a psychologist in private practice, I have the opportunity to work with people in order to optimize their emotional well-being. I work collaboratively with individuals to assist their identifying factors which have caused distress. Together we work to discover the obstacles to feeling better. We consider patterns that have developed over time to understand their adaptive benefits and maladaptive consequences. This approach provides opportunities to evaluate and to chart better ways to respond to life's challenges. I utilize a psychodynamic and cognitive behavioral approach with an emphasis on increasing awareness of one's reactions and experiences.

With 12+ years of experience in the field, I am honored that you are considering me as your therapist. Good for you for taking the first step in searching for a therapist. Life can be challenging and quite often, unexpected, and it’s important and helpful you have someone to walk with you through whatever life may throw at you.

If you are having anxiety and depression, if you have experienced trauma, I can help you sort out the things that are missing to gain or restore meaning, energy and joy to your life and relationships. I believe in the potential for growth, that our lives can be better, that change is possible, that relationships can be deeply satisfying. If you are having difficulty in your life, relationships or work, you will find me a respectful, empathic listener. Connecting with your feelings, finding your voice and making the life and relationships you want are outcomes my individual and couple clients find in therapy with me.

Find peace and balance from within. I will work with you during whatever life situations you are struggling with, including relationships, codependency, anxiety, depression, procrastination, transitions, family concerns, addictions, and trauma. Maybe you are wanting to move on from a significant loss, ready to heal from emotional pain, looking for greater satisfaction in your relationships or in need of more balance in your life. I honor your process at all times and together we will embark on the journey to wholehearted healing.

I am Dr. LaVern Cole-Ristuccia. I received my doctorate in Clinical Psychology from Nova-Southeastern University (NSU). I am a NY State Licensed Psychologist and have been in the field for over 20 years. I completed my internship at the University of Rochester Department of Psychiatry in 1990. I specialize in working with Adolescents, Adults, Couples & Families. I am experienced in treating depression, anxiety, marital/relationship issues, divorce, sexual dysfunction, anger management & parenting strategies. I do a great deal of work with blended families. Therapy is goal oriented/insight oriented, utilizing a cognitive-behavioral approach with a psycho-educational emphasis.

It can be a hard decision to make to decide that you need to talk with someone, and be just as daunting to actually make that first appointment. You want someone who will be understanding and insightful, as well as challenging. You want someone who will be empathic and knowledgeable, with whom you can feel comfortable to talk, and know that you're speaking in confidence. I work with a wide range of challenges, including: Tension and stress, depression and mood disorders, anxiety, trauma, relationship issues, life changes, difficulties coping, panic, phobia, sleep problems, social phobia, and family stressors.

Do you want to feel more in control of your thoughts? Are you wanting to move more towards the people, places, and things that are important to you? Change can be scary. Sometimes life can feel overwhelming. It can make us feel less interested in our favorite activities, like we will never be happy or fulfilled, or that there will never be a solution to what you are going through. Our anxious thoughts can get in the way of being present with ourselves and our family/friends. We all just want to feel grounded in the present moment, like we belong and are prepared to face anything that comes our way.

Welcome. I am a Rochester-based psychologist providing individual psychotherapy to adults throughout New York State. My work is based on the belief that having a supportive space in which to process your experiences can be incredibly therapeutic. I also believe that developing self-awareness is an essential piece of effectively navigating our lives. I may be the right therapist for you if you are interested in learning more about how you cope with distress, respond to challenges, relate to yourself, or approach your interactions with others.

Life can be filled with an unbelievable number of things that we need to manage every day. Balancing all the demands required of us can result in feeling drained and unsatisfied with daily life. Let's give you a new perspective on old problems and help you overcome life’s challenging hurdles.

If you are searching for a therapist who will patiently but persistently work with you to meet your personal goals, I will do that. Entering therapy does not require full readiness to change; it takes a willingness to explore where life as you live it now might not match the life you want. Therapy is a collaborative process, so we will work together to identify your goals and plot a strategy to arrive there. I am experienced in working with clients from diverse cultural backgrounds, including LGBT.

Are you finding a variety of life stressors is making happiness and hope difficult? Do you have a teen who is self harming or struggling with depression? I have a passion and extensive experience working with youth, adults, and families in a variety of settings and can provide specialized, client-centered and strength focused therapeutic treatments that work. Recognizing that this can impact the family unit, I offer family support when working with youth clients. I also find supporting women who are going through challenging situations such as life changes, health concerns, and career transitions to be a passion of mine.

I love the challenge of listening and questioning with the goal of true understanding. If you have been thinking about seeking help with a relationship, managing anxiety, coping with trauma or complex life changes, dealing with alcohol or drug problems, or simply need a good listener to work through a difficult situation, I encourage you to call me to schedule an initial consultation.

Sustainable Wellness is a trauma-based therapy and wellness practice focused on providing a holistic approach to healing. We offer specialized mental health services for PTSD and other trauma disorders, along with trauma-informed care for communities exposed to high levels of chronic stressors. We're passionate about resolving and healing attachment wounds while striving to create a therapeutic environment based in trust and authenticity. We work closely with clients to help them feel more comfortable in their bodies and more connected to the moment in order to build self-compassion and move toward healing.

I am a Licensed Clinical Social Worker in NY & MA who has spent my career working in the field of adoption. I have over 15 years of experience working with adoptive families, am Attachment and Trauma Focused Trained as well as a Trauma Center Trauma Sensitive Yoga Facilitator. I provide pre and post adoption support that includes individual consultations to those considering adoption as a pathway to grow their family, short-term attachment-focused counseling with adoptive families, can support adoptees who are considering searching for birth family and offer Trauma Center Trauma Sensitive Yoga.