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"Compassion is not a relationship between the healer and the wounded. It's a relationship between equals. Only when we know our own darkness well can we be present with the darkness of others..." - Pema Chodron "It is not easy to find happiness in ourselves, and it is not possible to find it elsewhere." - Agnes Repplier |
I am a New York State Licensed Clinical Social Worker in private practice, with an office in Mamaroneck, NY, offering teletherapy and in-person appointments.
I have the privilege of working with people in a sacred way, honestly and directly dealing with experiences, thoughts, physical sensations, and emotions.
Individuals are capable of immense change and growth. I use evidence-based treatment methods in a supportive, open, and encouraging way. I have had extensive training in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Acceptance Commitment Therapy, Compassion Focused Therapy, and Mindfulness.
Nowadays, we know so much more about the brain-body, the physical elements of emotions, and the key ingredients that contribute to sustained well-being.
I aim to share with you what I know about alleviating suffering and leading a meaningful life.
Throughout my life, I have searched for knowledge on how to identify personal fulfillment, improve health and wellness, develop a healthy sense of self, and maintain momentum for personal transformation. My experience and training have led to a deep understanding of the change process. My approach is direct, empathetic, and action-oriented.
From my diverse experiences, I have learned that:
- The way you speak to yourself matters. Negative self-talk can be detrimental, but it can be changed.
- Shame is a major contributor to emotional suffering and mental illness. This emotion thrives in secrecy.
- Compassion is a reliable way of improving your relationships with yourself and others.
- Life is complicated, challenging, and many times unfair. Knowing what you need and developing the skills to support those needs helps make the best out of life's difficult situations.
I developed and led workshops on topics such as Move Your Life Forward: Let Go of Perfectionism, Self Love: Loving Kindness and Guided Meditation, Centering During Uncertain Times, & Navigating the Gray Zone: Dating with Assertiveness and Compassion. More information can be found on the Workshops tab on the left.
In the past, I worked as a psychotherapist for the Jewish Board of Family and Children's Services for one of their outpatient mental health clinics in the Bronx. Also, I worked as an adjunct professor for the Master's in Counseling program at The College of New Rochelle and as a college counselor/advisor/adjunct professor for Touro College in Brooklyn & Queens.
Professional Associations:
- The Compassionate Mind Foundation
- ACBS - Association for Contextual Behavioral Science
- The Institute for Meditation and Psychotherapy
Additional Training:
- Ambivalence in Motivational Interviewing: Advances in Theory and Practice Dec 2022 Columbia University School of Social Work
- Level 2 ICF Accredited Certified Life Coach, MCLC, Oct 2022 Certified Life Coach Institute
- Level 1 ICF Accredited Certified Life Coach, CLC, July 2022 Certified Life Coach Institute
- Motivational Interviewing & Compassion-Focused Therapy CFT June 2022 Compassionate Mind Foundation
- Struggling With the Inner Critic Spring 2022 NICABM
- Reiki 1 & 2 January 2022 Reiki Master Libby Barnett
- Compassion-Focused Therapy CFT for Anger Management September 2021 Compassionate Mind Foundation
- Next Level Practitioner Training July 2021-ongoing NICABM
- ACT Peer Consultation & Training Group Fall 2020-ongoing ACBS Social Work SIG Peer Training
- Expert Strategies to Help Clients Develop Tolerance for Emotional Distress Spring 2021 NICABM
- Restorative Yoga Teacher Training Winter 2021 Jillian Pransky
- Compassion-Focused Therapy for Complex Cases Fall 2020 The Compassionate Mind Foundation
- Magic ACT: Transforming Pain Into Purpose with Clinical RFT Fall 2020 Praxis
- Advanced Master Program on the Treatment of Trauma Fall 2020 NICABM
- Working with Fear Spring 2020 NICABM
- ACBS World Conference 18 ONLINE July 2020 Association for Contextual Behavioral Science
- Clinical Application of Compassion Series 2019 NICABM
- Compassion-Focused Therapy: Foundations and Applications 2019 The Center for Compassion-Focused Therapy
- Second Annual Compassionate Mind Summit and Retreat 2019 The Center for Compassion-Focused Therapy
- CBT and the Effective Management of Mood and Anxiety Disorders NYC-CBT
- Spirituality, Neuroscience, and Narrative Surrounding Trauma MFT-NY
- Beyond the Basics: Advanced Motivational Interviewing Skills Columbia University School of Social Work
- Introduction to Compassion-Focused Therapy CFT Palabra Counseling and Training Center
- First Annual Compassionate Mind Summit and Retreat 2018 The Center for Compassion-Focused Therapy
- Acceptance and Commitment Therapy for Adolescents JBFCS
- Attachment and Trauma: The Neurobiology of Healing ISC International
- End of Life Choices Columbia University School of Social Work
- The Therapeutic Use of Narrative Columbia University School of Social Work
- Essentials of Solution-Focused Brief Therapy JBFCS
- Understanding the Gut Brain: Stress, Appetite, Digestion, and Mood IBP
- Making Mindfulness Work Webinar Series NICABM (x2)
- How the Brain Forms New Habits: Why Willpower is not Enough IBP
- New Brain Science Tele-webinar NICABM (x2)
- ACT - Acceptance Commitment Therapy JBFCS
- MI - Motivational Interviewing JBFCS
- STAIR - Skills Training in Affective and Interpersonal Regulation, Trauma JBFCS
- CBT - Cognitive Behavioral Therapy JBFCS
- Rational Emotive Behavior Therapy REBT/CBT – Advanced/Primary Practicum, The Albert Ellis Institute
- Master of Science - Columbia University School of Social Work
- Bachelor of Arts - Speech Communications SUNY College at Oneonta
Life Experience:
- Psychotherapist
- Life & Business Coach
- Mother of 2 children (high school & college)
- Adjunct Professor
- Memory Training Counselor
- Telecom Project Manager
- Network Administrator
- Academic Adviser/Career Counselor
- Real Estate Agent
- Administrative Assistant
- and more
