How do I book a therapy session with you?

You can find my consultation request page at Alma or via Psychology Today. After the pandemic, I moved to a fully virtual psychotherapy practice; thus, I am only meeting with clients over secure telehealth platforms for video sessions.

Why did you become a psychologist?

From a young age, I was obsessed with patterns, hidden systems, and mysteries. For example, how did some people repeatedly bounce back after facing enormous traumas or hardships, while others struggled to cope with seemingly minor stressors? It was no surprise, therefore, that I went on to study psychology and criminology--both fields that attempt uncover and organize how people engage with the world. Of course, the more I learned, the more it became clear that our narratives are complexly intertwined with our upbringing, culture, and sociopolitical environment.

Now, as a professor at Columbia University, my research focuses on how negative life experiences impact stress and well-being, and how this may be magnified for people from historically disempowered groups; I’ve published well over 70 articles and chapters on this topic, as well as a book. In therapy, I help clients recognize the maladaptive patterns and harmful hidden systems that may be holding them back, and we work together to co-create a happier and healthier way of being in the world.
 

What should I know about working with you?

Taking the first step toward wellness and reaching out to a therapist is inherently vulnerable and brave; we will move at a pace that feels safe and respectful of your needs. In our first sessions, we’ll work to establish realistic goals for treatment while simultaneously unpacking the life experiences and unique history that brought you to therapy. Therapy can offer a mirror to clients--indeed, people in New York are often so busy that their inner lives operate on autopilot, largely unaware of their thoughts, feelings, and desires. In that way, the path toward wellness is one of observing, slowing down, and waking up. Together, we alter well-worn emotional grooves and break patterns of behavior that are no longer working for you.
 

How long do I have to be in therapy?

When working with clients, there are several factors that I take into account when developing a treatment plan, and each of these factors may inform the length of therapy. Some of my clients may come in to address very specific concerns (i.e., fear of spiders) and in these cases, treatment may be targeted and shorter term. Others may need support to adjust or cope with a stressor (i.e., loss of a loved one; adjustment to a new city or job) and in these situations, treatment may continue until you are successfully equipped to manage the stressor on your own. Finally, some people view therapy as a routine wellness practice that they would like to participate in regularly--parallel to meditating or working out--regardless of other life circumstances. I am happy to work with clients who fall into any of these categories, and will tailor our time together to meet your specific needs.
 

What “techniques” do you use in your sessions?

Through my prior role as the Director of Clinical Training for a psychology PhD program (and as someone who has taught courses on “Theories of Counseling” for over a decade) I am well-versed in each of the dominant types of psychotherapy. From supervising therapists-in-training, I’ve grown to appreciate that skillful clinical work requires providers to be nimble and flexible with their approaches. Depending on the issue you bring to therapy, I may guide you through insight-oriented work, assessments, role plays, in vivo behavioral change strategies, creative practices, or narrative techniques. One consistency across cases is my expectation that clients do prescribed “homework” outside of our session, too. Healing practices work best when extended beyond the confines of a weekly 45-50 minute session.
 

You are an Out-Of-Network provider. what does that mean for me?

Depending on your plan, your health insurance (PPOs not HMOs) may cover part, most, or all of the cost of our work together. You will be provided with insurance-ready documentation for submission to insurers for reimbursement if out-of-network benefits apply.  Prior to meeting with me, please contact your insurance company with any questions about reimbursements, co-pay obligations or deductibles, or any pre-authorizations that may be needed for out-of-network services.

I see you are an artist. Can we bring art into our sessions?

Sometimes it is easier to pick up a pencil and sketch how we are feeling rather than hunt for the perfect words. I have completed extensive training with the Arts in Medicine program at Shands Hospital and have witnessed how healing creative expression can be for some individuals, but I am not a board certified art therapist (ATR-BC). If you would like to bring art into our sessions, and it feels therapeutically appropriate, we may integrate with this modality from time to time.