Culturally Sensitive Therapists in Utica, NY

I am a Licensed Mental Health Counselor (LMHC) and Credentialed Alcohol and Substance Abuse Counselor (CASAC). I have experience working with individuals with both mental health and substance use issues and from different economic and cultural backgrounds. I have worked in a variety of behavioral health settings. My approach is tailored to meet your needs in an environment where you can feel safe and comfortable. I work collaboratively with you in helping you to develop coping skills to deal with those issues that might be impacting your daily living. Visit my website at ksmithcounseling.com to learn more about my services.

Are you struggling with your self-esteem or body image? Maybe you are feeling dissatisfied with your sex life or looking to dig deeper into your sexuality? Are you questioning your relationship with your partner and contemplating moving on? Are you troubled by the mental impact of weight management? Are you struggling with postpartum anxiety or depression? Maybe you are feeling like your body is no longer your own after having a baby. Do you identify with more than one culture and feel the societal pressure to act a certain way or change how you present yourself to the world? Are you tired of labels and letting others define you?

My background is in trauma-informed care, and those struggling with anxiety, trauma, work issues and everyday life stressors. I specialize in working with individuals in the health care & helping professions, who are struggling with work stress & life stress exacerbated by the profession they are in. I enjoy helping individuals identify professional self-care, and emphasize self wellness. I also specialize in supporting young adults, specifically college students in navigating through early adulthood transitions/adjustments. Additionally, I work with many couples surrounding communication struggles and unique martial issues.

Your life is in transition, you are trying to hold it together on the outside, while inside you are falling apart. You feel like you have to live up to someone else's expectations or ideals and no matter what you do, it feels like you are failing. You feel added pressures to be everything to everyone: a perfect partner, parent, friend, or employee, and this pressure can feel daunting.

Over the years I have worked with various individuals and couples who have experienced hardships related to trauma, grief and loss, mood disorders, family dynamics, relationships, identity development & acceptance, coping, and more. Additionally, I work closely with the experiences of immigrant, refugee, and international communities specific to cross-cultural adjustment; multicultural, diversity, and social justice challenges; and community coping and resilience.

Have you been feeling anxious, depressed, isolated, stressed? Do you repeatedly engage in behaviors or relationships that don't help and may be harmful and find you can't stop? Whether these feelings & behaviors have been present for a long time or seemed to develop suddenly, it can be hard to figure out the cause or how to find relief. Sometimes distress is caused by prior trauma or by the coping skills developed early in life that are no longer effective or helpful. Personal growth, relief from emotional pain and discomfort, better relationships, and living a more fulfilled life are all possible.

My practice specializes in solution focused therapy utilizing a Cognitive Behavioral Therapy approach giving real time tools to feel better quickly.

You are not broken, you do not need to be fixed, and you are enough. The circumstances you have faced and symptoms you experience are very real, but they do not define you. I strongly believe we as humans are resilient and capable of healing ourselves when we actively choose to. Through my years of working with survivors of trauma, I have found many symptoms, habits, and reactions to simply be adaptions; Ways in which the nervous system learned to cope with unsafe, chaotic, and/or unpredictable environments.

Most of my clients are mothers who are carrying the invisible mental load for their families. If you're feeling stressed out, overwhelmed or anxious we can work together on reducing these feelings. I am an empathetic listener who uses cognitive behavioral techniques and motivational interviewing to work collaboratively with my clients to achieve their goals.

All treatment plans are individually developed and implemented to fit the needs of each client. Assist clients with identifying their strengths, while empowering them to develop coping skills and/ or solutions to presenting problems.

Currently accepting new clients with immediate openings! We embrace the uniqueness of each individual. Our team of over 50 licensed therapists recognizes that there's no 'one-size-fits-all' in therapy. Every client brings distinct challenges, aspirations, and worldviews. Our focus? Tailoring our approach with the latest evidence-based practices. Key for us is a client's willingness to embark on a journey of change. Our diverse experience spans various demographics, ensuring a personalized experience. Proudly Veteran-owned, our practice is adept at addressing the needs of diverse groups and ages.

Are you overwhelmed by anxiety or depression? Do you need someone to talk with? Do you struggle with self-esteem or get stuck in negative thought-spirals? I am an clinical therapist (LCSW) ready to help identify a treatment plan. I offer a person-centered, non-judgmental approach to therapy. I will accept you for who you are.

I work with BIPOC and LGBTQIA+ adults, with focus on helping you feel empowered and effective in your life. My approach pendulates between somatic, or body-based, techniques and guided conversation to cultivate self awareness, emotional regulation, insight, and meaning making. Using your goals, experiences, and preferences, we will co-create a path towards wellness, however that looks for you. You will come away from sessions feeling understood and valued, and with the skills and mindset to navigate life's obstacles.

My counseling style leans toward a person-centered, solution focused approach. This approach remains eclectic in nature as each individual brings unique issues to the table and should be treated with the type of therapy most beneficial to their recovery. Over the last 15 years, I have worked with individuals of all ages, with a multitude of reasons in which to seek therapeutic resolve.

Greetings! I'm Holly Irion, an LMHC licensed in New York State, with 13 years of clinical practice. My expertise lies in addressing gender and sexuality-related issues, navigating relationships, and guiding individuals through life transitions. With extensive experience across diverse clinical environments, I excel in treating anxiety, depression, parenting challenges, trauma, and the unique hurdles faced during young adulthood. My focus is on empowering adults and teenagers (15+), fostering self-efficacy, growth, and insight in their journey towards well-being.

I specialize in helping people heal from trauma, grief, anxiety, and depression. I utilize an eclectic approach, offering several evidence-based treatment modalities, including trauma focused-CBT, DBT, Trauma Systems Therapy, and Eco-Systemic Structural Family Therapy. I offer a warm and nonjudgmental space to hold and process through intense emotions.

Learning how to navigate throughout the different stages of your life can sometimes feel stressful, overwhelming, depressing, and more. Learning how to live your life to the fullest while also learning how to cope and manage your mental health can also be a challenge. You may even find yourself having difficulties enjoying your life due to the unpredictable nature of this world. From childhood trauma to life transitions, improving self-worth to navigating a new diagnosis, therapy is an essential tool needed to help you acknowledge, process, accept, and adapt.

Since 2001 I have been providing holistic, strength-based services. Above all, I believe that each and every person is capable of rediscovering their true self. A significant part of achieving this discovery includes finding a trusted, supportive individual who will listen with compassion. I provide a safe, comfortable environment to sort through whatever has been preventing you from emotional health and well being. I would be glad to answer any questions you may have about the therapeutic process. Please feel free to call, text or e-mail me anytime.

Our relationships with others and ourselves can be wonderful and fulfilling. However, these same relationships can be frustrating and toxic. Relationship issues can be difficult to navigate at any age - whether the dilemma is with your family, friends, or within your own psyche. I offer clients emotional support and counseling through traumatic events, as well as an outlet for those who need guidance dealing with everyday life. We can work together to explore why you’re seeking therapy and develop tools that will help you move forward in a positive way.