Compassionate Psychotherapy in Brooklyn, NY
in Brooklyn, NY and Online
Taking the first step toward therapy can feel overwhelming. Our experienced team creates a safe, welcoming space where you can be yourself and work through whatever brings you here. Whether you’re dealing with depression, anxiety, trauma, or life transitions, we’re here to support your healing journey with care and understanding.
The Courage to Begin
People come to therapy for many reasons:
- Finding Balance during life transitions or stressful periods
- Breaking Patterns that no longer serve your wellbeing
- Healing Relationships with yourself and others
- Managing Symptoms of anxiety, depression, and other conditions
- Personal Growth and self-discovery
- Building Resilience for life’s challenges
Whatever brings you here, psychotherapy offers a supportive partnership to help you navigate your unique path toward healing and growth.
Therapy as Unique as You Are
We believe in meeting you where you are. Our clinicians integrate evidence-based practices with a holistic understanding of health—recognizing the connection between mind, body, and spirit. We draw from diverse modalities tailored to your specific needs and goals.
What to Expect When Beginning Psychotherapy
- Initial Discovery Call with our Care Coordinators: A conversation to understand your needs and preferences
- Thoughtful Matching: Connection with a therapist whose expertise and style align with you
- Initial Consultation: First meeting with your therapist.
- Collaborative Planning: Development of a personalized approach to address your concerns
- Ongoing Support: Regular sessions in a safe, confidential environment
- Growth at Your Pace: Respect for your unique healing timeline
The therapeutic relationship is built on trust, and we honor your courage in taking this first step.
Reach Out Today for a Confidential Consultation
Taking that first step can feel both challenging and hopeful. We’re here to walk alongside you.
Pathways to Healing
Explore Our Specialized Psychotherapy Services
Individual Therapy
Individual therapy provides a private, confidential space where you and your therapist work together to address your specific concerns. This one-on-one format allows for deep exploration of your thoughts, feelings, and behaviors in a supportive environment.
In therapy sessions, your therapist helps you identify patterns that may be contributing to your distress and develop strategies to create meaningful change. Whether you’re dealing with specific symptoms, navigating life transitions, or seeking personal growth, individual therapy offers personalized guidance tailored to your unique needs.
Our approach emphasizes collaboration. You are the expert on your experience, and your therapist brings clinical expertise to help illuminate pathways to healing. Sessions typically last 45 minutes and can be scheduled at intervals that work best for your circumstances and goals.
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy is a structured, present-focused approach that examines the connection between thoughts, feelings, and behaviors. CBT is based on the understanding that our thoughts significantly influence our emotions and actions, and by changing unhelpful thinking patterns, we can improve how we feel.
In CBT sessions, you’ll learn to identify automatic negative thoughts and cognitive distortions that contribute to emotional distress. Your therapist will guide you in challenging these thoughts and developing more balanced perspectives. You’ll also practice specific behavioral techniques to break unhelpful patterns and build new skills.
CBT is one of the most extensively researched forms of therapy, with strong evidence supporting its effectiveness for anxiety disorders, depression, PTSD, OCD, and many other conditions. Treatment is typically goal-oriented and time-limited, focusing on developing practical tools you can use throughout your life.
SPACE Therapy for Anxiety
SPACE (Supportive Parenting for Anxious Childhood Emotions) is an innovative, parent-based treatment program designed to help children and adolescents with anxiety disorders. Rather than working directly with the child, SPACE works by coaching parents to modify their responses to their child’s anxiety symptoms.
The program helps parents identify accommodations they may be making that unintentionally reinforce their child’s anxiety. Parents learn to gradually reduce these accommodations while providing supportive responses that validate their child’s distress while conveying confidence in their ability to cope.
SPACE therapy has been shown to be as effective as child-based cognitive behavioral therapy for treating childhood anxiety disorders. It’s particularly helpful when children are reluctant to participate in their own treatment or when family dynamics play a significant role in maintaining anxiety symptoms.
Child Psychotherapy
Child psychotherapy is specifically designed to address the emotional and behavioral needs of children in developmentally appropriate ways. Rather than relying solely on talk therapy, our child therapists use play, art, and other expressive techniques to help children communicate and process their experiences.
Our child therapists create a safe, supportive environment where children can explore their feelings and develop healthy coping strategies. Treatment may address issues such as anxiety, depression, behavioral problems, trauma, attention difficulties, or challenges related to life transitions like parental divorce or school problems.
Parents are essential partners in the therapeutic process. Depending on your child’s age and needs, your therapist might work directly with your child, meet with parents regularly, or combine these approaches. Our goal is to help children develop emotional resilience while providing parents with strategies to support their child’s growth.
Family Therapy
Family therapy views problems in the context of the family system rather than focusing solely on individual concerns. This approach recognizes that family patterns, communication styles, and relationship dynamics significantly impact each member’s wellbeing.
In family therapy sessions, multiple family members participate together with the therapist. Sessions focus on improving communication, resolving conflicts, strengthening relationships, and helping the family adapt to changes or challenges. Your therapist serves as a neutral facilitator, ensuring each family member’s perspective is heard and valued.
Family therapy can be particularly helpful during major transitions (like divorce, remarriage, or relocation, life transitions), when managing a family member’s mental health condition, or when addressing parent-child conflicts. The goal is to help families develop healthier interaction patterns that support the wellbeing of both individual members and the family as a whole.
Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT)
Dialectical Behavior Therapy combines cognitive-behavioral techniques, skill building, and dialectical thinking with mindfulness practices to help people regulate intense emotions, improve relationships, and build a life worth living. Originally developed for treating borderline personality disorder, DBT has proven effective for many conditions involving emotional dysregulation.
DBT teaches four core skill sets: mindfulness (being present in the moment without judgment), distress tolerance (managing crisis situations without making them worse), emotion regulation (understanding and managing emotional responses), and interpersonal effectiveness (communicating needs while maintaining relationships and self-respect).
Our DBT approach can be adapted to your specific needs. This practical, skills-based approach helps you build concrete tools for managing difficult emotions and improving your quality of life.
Internal Family Systems (IFS)
Internal Family Systems therapy offers a compassionate approach to healing based on the understanding that the mind naturally contains many different “parts” or subpersonalities. These parts develop to protect us but can sometimes operate in ways that cause distress or internal conflict.
In IFS therapy, you’ll work with your therapist to identify these different parts and the roles they play in your life. You’ll learn to access your core “Self”—the calm, compassionate center from which healing can occur—and develop a relationship with parts that may be causing distress or limiting your growth.
IFS provides a non-pathologizing framework that promotes self-compassion and integration. Rather than fighting against difficult emotions or behaviors, you learn to understand their protective function and help these parts evolve into healthier roles. This approach is effective for trauma, anxiety, depression, and relationship difficulties, among other concerns.
Hypnotherapy
Hypnotherapy utilizes the focused, relaxed state of hypnosis to facilitate therapeutic change. Contrary to common misconceptions, hypnosis is not a state of unconsciousness or surrender of control, but rather a natural state of focused attention where you remain aware and in control throughout the process.
During hypnotherapy sessions, your therapist will guide you into a relaxed state where your conscious mind becomes less active and your subconscious mind becomes more accessible. This allows for exploration of deeper patterns, memories, and associations that may be contributing to current difficulties. Your therapist then offers therapeutic suggestions aligned with your goals for healing.
Hypnotherapy can be particularly effective for managing stress, anxiety, phobias, chronic pain, sleep disorders, and certain habits or behaviors. It’s typically used as one component of an integrated treatment approach rather than as a standalone therapy.
Dr. Elena Man is a clinical hypnosis expert.
Ketamine-Assisted Psychotherapy (KAP)
Ketamine-Assisted Psychotherapy combines the administration of ketamine with psychotherapy to create opportunities for transformative healing, particularly for treatment-resistant depression, anxiety, PTSD, and other conditions that haven’t responded adequately to traditional approaches.
In KAP sessions, ketamine is administered under medical supervision, temporarily altering consciousness in a way that can interrupt rigid thought patterns, reduce fear responses, and create openness to new perspectives. During and after the medicine session, your therapist provides support and guidance to help process insights and integrate the experience into your healing journey.
Our approach to KAP emphasizes preparation before ketamine sessions, therapeutic support during the experience, and integration work afterward. This treatment is provided by specially trained clinicians in collaboration with medical professionals who oversee the medical aspects of ketamine administration.
Dr. Lewis, Natasha Felton PNP, and Linda Perez-Puelles provide ketamine treatment in our Brooklyn office.
Mindfulness-Based Therapy
Mindfulness-based therapy integrates traditional psychotherapy with mindfulness practices drawn from Eastern contemplative traditions and backed by contemporary neuroscience research. This approach helps you develop present-moment awareness without judgment, creating space between your thoughts and reactions so you can respond to life with greater intention and clarity.
In mindfulness-based sessions, your therapist guides you in developing skills to observe your thoughts, emotions, and bodily sensations with curiosity rather than automatic reactivity. These practices help break cycles of rumination, worry, and stress while fostering self-compassion and emotional regulation. Approaches may include Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR), Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT), or mindfulness integrated within other therapeutic modalities to address anxiety, depression, chronic pain, and stress-related conditions.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I know if I need therapy or if I'm just going through a rough patch?
While everyone experiences difficult emotions and life challenges, therapy might be helpful when your feelings persist for weeks or months, interfere with daily functioning, or when your usual coping strategies aren't working. You don't need to be in crisis to benefit from therapy. Many people seek therapy for personal growth, relationship enhancement, or simply having a dedicated space to process life's complexities.
What happens in the first therapy session?
The first session is primarily about getting to know each other. Your therapist will ask questions about what brings you to therapy, your personal history, and your goals. You'll also have the opportunity to ask questions about the therapist's approach and experience. Think of it as a conversation to determine if you and the therapist are a good fit, rather than diving deeply into therapeutic work right away.
Do you offer virtual sessions?
Yes, we provide telehealth services for both therapy and psychiatric care. Our virtual sessions offer the same quality care as our in-person appointments, making mental health support accessible regardless of your location or schedule. Many clients find virtual appointments particularly convenient for medication check-ins, while others prefer the comfort of therapy from their own space.
How long does therapy usually take?
The length of therapy varies widely depending on your goals, the complexity of your concerns, and the type of therapy. Some focused approaches might last 12 sessions, while more in-depth work might continue for several months or years. Many people experience meaningful improvements within the first few months, even if they choose to continue therapy for ongoing growth and support.
Will my insurance cover therapy?
Our practice is out-of-network with insurance companies, but many clients still receive partial reimbursement through their out-of-network benefits. We provide detailed superbills that you can submit to your insurance company for potential reimbursement. We recommend checking with your insurance provider about your specific out-of-network mental health benefits before beginning treatment. For those concerned about costs, we offer transparent fee information and, in some cases, low-cost options with our interns and trainees.
How do I choose the right therapist for me?
Finding the right therapist involves both practical considerations (like location, availability, and cost) and personal connection. Research suggests that the quality of the therapeutic relationship is one of the strongest predictors of successful outcomes in therapy. Trust your intuition about whether you feel comfortable with a therapist, and don't hesitate to have consultations with a few different providers to find the best match.
Is what I share in therapy truly confidential?
Psychotherapy is protected by strict confidentiality laws and ethical guidelines. Your therapist cannot share what you discuss without your written permission, with a few important exceptions: if there's imminent risk of harm to yourself or others, suspicion of abuse of a child or vulnerable adult, or in rare cases when records are court-ordered. Your therapist will explain these limitations in detail during your first session.
How do I know if therapy is working?
Progress in therapy often happens gradually and can be measured in various ways, including reduced symptom intensity, improved relationships, better coping skills, or shifts in how you think about challenges. A good therapist will check in regularly about your experience of therapy and will collaborate with you to track progress toward your specific goals. Sometimes others notice positive changes before you do!
What's the difference between a psychiatrist, psychologist, and therapist?
Psychiatrists are medical doctors who can prescribe medication and sometimes provide therapy. Psychologists typically have doctoral degrees (PhD or PsyD) with specialized training in assessment and psychotherapy. Licensed Clinical Social Workers or Licensed Mental Health Counselors have master's-level training in psychotherapy approaches. All can provide psychotherapy, though their training backgrounds and approaches may differ.
I've tried therapy before and it didn't help. Why should I try again?
There are many different approaches to therapy, and finding the right match between therapist, approach, and your specific needs is important. If previous therapy wasn't helpful, it doesn't mean therapy itself won't work for you. Consider what wasn't working before. Was it the therapeutic relationship, the approach, timing, or something else? Sharing this information with a new therapist can help create a more effective experience this time around.