Play Therapy in Montrose, NY

Greg is a licensed clinical social worker who treats children, teens, adults, and families. He uses a client-centered, strengths-based approach utilizing aspects of CBT, DBT, and solution-focused treatment. Greg helps his clients challenge negative thinking to foster positive change, assists his clients in providing mindfulness techniques using music and art to reduce stress, and aids his clients in identifying triggers and coping skills to manage emotional distress.

You might come for therapy because you've stopped wanting anything and can barely drag yourself out of bed; You might be so worked up about something you can't concentrate or sleep at night; Maybe you don't know what you want or don't want to want what you want. Maybe you cling to relationships that go badly. Maybe you place obstacles in your own way. Maybe you know what you want but are unable to pursue it. Maybe you feel guilty or worry that something terrible will happen. Psychotherapy and/or psychoanalysis can help. For more go to my website: http://www.btholfsenlcsw.com/

We are all much more simply human than otherwise (Harry Stack Sullivan). I believe that one finds mental health in meaningful, connected relationships with others-our parents, partners, children, friends, siblings, and therapists. I bring warmth, humor, and honesty into my therapeutic work, and act as a support and guide as you work to improve areas of your life that you are inspired to change. I focus on growth and reparation, not pathology. I have a broad range of experience with all ages and ranges of problems, and can offer comprehensive treatment to children, adolescents, adults, couples, families, and groups.

Please use email for new client inquiries, accepting clients between the hours of 8a-2p only). Children express themselves most naturally through play and art, especially when words are difficult and fail to capture the emotions they may be experiencing. Creative play and art therapy interventions to help children explore therapy in a fun, safe and natural environment. Individual sessions allow children to become comfortable in therapy while exploring the power of play and the creative process.

My first goal as a therapist is to help you relate to yourself with more compassion, replacing harsh self judgement with eager curiosity. As this develops, we will work together to gain a better understanding of the underlying issues that lead to anxiety, depression, and other challenges to happiness. By helping you see yourself more clearly, you can live a more genuine, meaningful life, with stronger relationships.

I believe that compassion for oneself is the key to feeling better. When we can stop idealizing and stop trying to be what we're not, we can learn to have compassion and acceptance of who we really are. Accepting our human condition with its limitations, leads to self-knowledge, which leads to growth and ultimately to comfort within ourselves.

Whether it is your first time looking for support or if this is a part of a longer process, I would like to meet you where that is. I work with individuals from childhood through adulthood who are seeking support for various reasons such as life transitions, anxiety, depression, personal identity, stress, and relationships. With your goals in mind, I draw from a variety of evidence based therapies such as psychodynamic and play, as well as cognitive and dialectical behavioral. I have expertise in grief and loss, caregiving, physical health related problems, and cultural identity.

NOTE: Currently accepting In-Home and Remote Child Therapy referrals. Welcome! I offer a welcoming place for your child to explore a wide range of issues, learn to process and explore emotions and build upon skills. I engage in children's natural play language to unpack and examine a child’s strong feelings with the goal of helping all children build on their strengths and develop resiliency . I also use other modalities such as art, story telling, and mindfulness to teach coping tools, and help children understand their internal world. Together we will co-create a creative and productive therapeutic experience.

Making the decision to start therapy is a brave step toward changing one's life. My goal is to guide my client to make those changes in a manner that feels comfortable and safe. My focus is positive, hopeful, and respectful of the individual or family's spirit. My job is to help my client gain insight, increase motivation, and provide the support to implement better choices. I work with families, individuals and/or children to change unproductive patterns and to learn life enhancing strategies. As a social worker, art therapist and trained family therapist, my strengths lie in my extensive experience and the use of creative techniques. As a professor at two colleges, I teach others to become therapists.

I'm glad you've found yourself here. Acknowledging that you need support right now is a tough but necessary first step. Life and relationships can be complex and I find that it is often helpful have a neutral person to offer a listening ear, guidance, and to facilitate a process of gaining more insight about who you are and what you need. My role would be to help you work towards your goals, which may include building self-compassion, identifying and regulating uncomfortable emotions, processing old traumas, changing negative thoughts and patterns, overcoming challenges, strengthening relationships, implementing new coping skills.

I work with children, adolescents, and adults with a wide range of psychological and interpersonal challenges in life, such as mood disorders, anxiety disorders, trauma, life transition, relationship problems, and developmental disorders. I believe that psychotherapy is a process in which client and therapist collaborate in order to help client to improve self-understanding, overcome painful emotions, and discover new and widened perspectives about himself/herself, others, and life. I facilitate client's discovery and development of balanced and integrated personality so that he/she can transcend his/her psychological conflicts.

I bring over 25 years of experience working with depression, anxiety, panic disorder, ADD, PTSD, LBGQT in a compassionate safe environment where all emotional challenges are welcome. My sessions offer a wide range of options to fit your specific needs. This also includes play therapy for children. My methods are more Holistic and Humanistic than traditional psychotherapy. Together we will explore finding solutions.

I specialize in perinatal mental health including postpartum depression and postpartum anxiety. I also treat students entering or in college. I welcome all parents (new. experienced, hopeful) to my office. My approach is strengths-based and collaborative, with a healthy dose of humor thrown in. I strive to create a warm, non-judgmental space where we can work together, at your pace, to identify your goals and areas where you would like to see change. Give me a call to see how I can help!

I know this isn’t easy for you. Whether you are here because your child is struggling, you are struggling, or you need change, support, and direction … You don't have to struggle alone. This is the bravest thing you can do and I’m grateful you’re here. I can't change where you started, but I can help you gain the freedom to decide where you finish. ​ You can do this. We can do this together. ​My goal is to help everyone that comes into their session feel comfortable and safe. This is a friendly way to therapy for children, teens, and adults alike.

Childhood and adolescence is a trying time for those in it and their family. Your child may be struggling with ADHD, motivation, impulsivity, depression, difficulty with peers, anxiety, autism, video game addiction or other any number or combination of other challenges, and that is alright. Adversity is natural at all points in our lives, but there is worth in addressing and meeting these challenges to improve your child/adolescent's well being and help them function more effectively to achieve greater success and happiness as soon as possible.

We are a caring group of highly qualified clinicians with extensive experience in a variety of specialities providing therapeutic services to adults, children, couples and families. We provide assessments and treatment for individuals suffering from depression, anxiety, family conflict, relationship issues, behavioral, learning, social, gender identity and substance abuse issues. Most of our therapists are in-network with insurance or we work with our clients and offer a sliding scale fee and utilize out of network benefits when possible. Visit our website for more information and to get started: Villagetherapygroup.com

I bring warmth, empathy, extensive experience, and deep passion to my work as a clinician. I am a seasoned therapist, with over 30 years of experience, who you can talk easily to and trust with your deepest concerns. I view therapy as a collaborative relationship to which I bring compassion and a capacity to be completely present as we work together to resolve the challenges you struggle with. While I have specific training in family systems, psychodynamic, and cognitive behavioral treatment, I tailor my therapeutic approach to fit each person's unique and evolving needs.