Mandy Verastek, LCSW - Therapist at Grow Therapy

Mandy Verastek

Mandy Verastek

(she/her)

LCSW
8 years of experience
Virtual

Hello and Welcome! Do you ever feel like the world is moving too fast for you to keep up? Does stress, sadness, or feelings of inadequency seem to be a constant presence in your life? You're not alone. Many people feel this way, especially in today's fast-paced and uncertain world. But it doesn't have to be that way. As your therapist, I'm here to offer you support and guidance. Think of me as a partner who will sit in the passenger seat of your bus as you navigate your way forward. My name is Mandy Verastek, and I'm a Licensed Clinical Social Worker, or LCSW. I want to offer you a safe, judgement-free space to explore your emotions, feelings and behaviors. Together, we can work to understand what's happening in your life and find ways to cope and thrive. Whether you're struggling with anxiety, depression, life satisfaction, unresolved traumas, relationship issues, or anything else- I'm here to help. Together, we'll develop a personalized plan that meets your unique needs and goals. My approach is collaborative, compassionate, and evidence-based. I believe in meeting you where you are and helping you move forward at your own pace. So if you're ready to take the first step towards healing and growth, I'm here to help. Please don't hesitate to reach out and schedule a session. I look forward to joining you on your journey.

What can clients expect to take away from sessions with you?

In our first session together, the focus is entirely on you and your unique journey. It's a space where your voice is the most significant, and your experiences, feelings, and thoughts are welcomed without judgment. As we begin, our main goal is to establish a comfortable and safe environment where trust can take root, allowing the therapeutic alliance to flourish. I understand that starting therapy might feel daunting, but rest assured, your comfort and pace are of utmost importance. We'll begin exactly where you are, exploring what brings you here and your hopes for the future. Together, we'll navigate your story, unpacking the layers gently and at a pace that feels right for you. This initial session is a chance for us to connect and lay the groundwork for our work ahead. It's a collaborative journey where your agency is paramount, and my role is to support and guide you along the way. Your unique strengths, perspectives, and aspirations will be the guiding lights as we embark on this transformative path.

Explain to clients what areas you feel are your biggest strengths.

As a therapist, my strengths lie in working with individuals, both adults and teens, who are struggling with a range of mental health issues, including Generalized Anxiety Disorder, Depression, Bi-polar disorders, PTSD and ADHD. In addition to these areas, I have experience working with people who have experienced past trauma. I recognize that past experiences can have a profound impact on your mental health and wellbeing, and I provide a safe and compassionate space for you to explore these experiences and develop tools to manage them. My ultimate goal is to provide you with the support and guidance you need to navigate life's challenges, build resilience, and live a more fulfilling and satisfying life

About Mandy Verastek

Identifies as

Specializes in

AnxietyDepressionADHDBipolar DisorderSelf EsteemTrauma and PTSD

Serves ages

Teenagers (13 to 17)

Licensed in

Accepts cash

$125/session

Appointments

Virtual

My treatment methods

Brainspotting

I also offer Ketamine Assisted Psychotherapy, where I will use the various modalities during integration sessions. Email me at Mverastek@protonmail.com for more information Brainspotting is a powerful, brain-body-based therapy that helps people access and process deep emotional and physical pain. It works by identifying specific “brainspots”—eye positions that correlate with stored trauma or unresolved experiences in the brain. By focusing on these spots while staying attuned to the body’s sensations, clients can process stuck emotions and promote healing on a deep, neurological level. It's gentle, intuitive, and effective, even when words are hard to find.

Acceptance and commitment (ACT)

ACT is a modern, mindfulness-based therapy that helps people build a rich and meaningful life—without getting rid of all their pain. Instead of fighting difficult thoughts or emotions, ACT helps you accept them, make space for them, and refocus on what truly matters to you. It blends acceptance strategies with commitment to personal values, guiding you to take purposeful action even in the face of challenges. ACT is especially helpful for anxiety, depression, trauma, and life transitions—and it's all about becoming more psychologically flexible and connected to your authentic self.

Somatic

Somatic therapy is a body-centered approach to healing that recognizes how trauma, stress, and emotions are stored not just in the mind, but also in the body. Instead of only talking through problems, somatic therapy invites gentle awareness of physical sensations, movement, breath, and the nervous system. This helps clients release tension, reconnect with their bodies, and find a greater sense of safety, regulation, and wholeness. It's especially powerful for trauma, anxiety, and anyone who feels stuck in patterns that talking alone hasn’t shifted.

Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT)

EFIT is a powerful approach to individual therapy that helps people heal through the lens of attachment and emotional connection. Rooted in the same principles as Emotionally Focused Therapy for couples, EFIT helps individuals explore how past relationships and emotional patterns shape their present struggles. With warmth and compassion, it guides clients toward deeper emotional awareness, self-acceptance, and new ways of relating—to themselves and others. EFIT supports healing from trauma, anxiety, depression, and relational wounds by helping you feel safe, seen, and empowered from within.