Vanessa Zikovsky
My name is Vanessa and I have been working with therapy clients for 12 years. I have immense faith in the tools and skills that are developed in therapy, as well as what is processed in the therapeutic relationship. I believe that people can take their mental health into their own hands and build a life that is rooted in acceptance, regulation, stability, balance, and self-love. My clients would likely say that: I listen well, provide plenty of psychoeducation, help them increase insight, offer relevant feedback and have a strong faith in their ability to create positive and lasting changes, that improve their quality of life. I have often been told that I create a calming environment, which can be helpful for clients navigating difficult challenges. My style can at times include lighthearted humor when appropriate, which also serves to strengthen the therapeutic alliance. Furthermore, I can challenge my clients in a way that doesn't dismiss their feelings but helps them identify unhelpful patterns.
First session
The first session will focus on me gaining a general understanding of your current situation and you getting a better idea of what it's like to work with me. We discuss what are the most pressing concerns and how they affect your quality of life. We discuss a bit of the background regarding your concerns, as well as other relevant events and dynamics that have played a role in your current situation. I learn a bit about how you view the world and your place in it. And we begin the initial steps to building rapport and trust. We walk through the initial goals and expectations for the sessions.
Strengths
I believe my treatment approach has been successful with clients because of a combination of my authentic positive regard for client, focus on relationship dynamics within the session, and delivering essential psychoeducation that both create a safe non-judgmental space and arms clients with skills that increase perspective, mindfulness, and emotional regulation.
Ideal clients
My ideal client may be someone experiencing anxiety or depression and is motivated to understand themselves and develop the tools to change their quality of life. A good fit might be someone struggling with low self-esteem or someone who has noticed unhelpful patterns in their relationships and wants to explore the deeper reasons and find ways to change those dynamics with self and others. I may be a good fit for someone that is open to conversation, exploration, feedback and developing skills to change their situation.
Treatment methods
Attachment-based
My therapeutic style is geared toward building a strong relationship, where open and honest communication is paired with useful feedback, pattern identification, exploration of childhood experiences, and helping clients develop a toolbox of skills (CBT-Focused, Mindfulness, Emotional Regulation) that help them gain relief and increase feelings of empowerment.
Location
Virtual sessions
Identifies as
Woman
Top specialties
Anxiety
Depression
Life Transitions
Other specialties
Coping Skills
Peer Relationships
Self Esteem
Serves
Adults (18 to 64)
Couples Counseling
Individual Therapy
Licensed in
New YorkLicense 009195