Hello and welcome to my practice. I’m a clinical social worker, which means that I passed a national exam, authorizing me to do psychotherapy after having earned a master's degree in social work (MSW). I listen to you to facilitate your listening to yourself. Let's talk and I'll explain. I work exclusively with people in their 20s and 30s who are discovering and creating their direction in life. Please disregard below, Age Groups (18 - 64) as this how the system is programmed and lacks your desire to grow and change! I understand the overarching goal of psychotherapy as strengthening the capacity for choice - of being in charge of your relationship with your thoughts, feelings and how you show up in the world. Your subjective experience of daily life is our territory. I’ve internalized ethics and theories so that I’m able to be present with you, your voice, your intonation, your expression. I've had scads of post-graduate education and continue to be an active learner. Please note: I charge $175 for appointments canceled within a 24hour window of the appointment; however, Monday appointments must be canceled by 5pm, Thursday. Let’s lean in; the way out is through.

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

We'll use the few sessions to get a feel for whether we want to collaborate for your benefit. Psychotherapy isn't a lifestyle; some people may want and/or need to continue for a good chunk of time; often I work using "therapy episodes" - we may schedule a couple of months of weekly sessions, take a break for you to consolidate what you've gleaned from the process and resume or not sometime in the future.

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

My ability to listen closely to the client's speech towards developing internal freedom of choice is a strength of mine. Perhaps your habitual patterns were once useful but now they're like continuing to wear a raincoat when the sun is shining - I'll help you to shed them slowly and surely. Perhaps you feel a lack of meaning and purpose in your life - this is definitely something we can attend to.

About Risa Mandell

Appointments