Hi! My name is Ivy and I'm an LCSW with a masters in social work from Columbia University. I've studied several different methods of psychotherapy and pull from all of them the information and skills that can benefit my clients. My specialty is working with adults who are experiencing feelings of anxiety that are negatively impacting their life. The anxiety can be caused by a situation they are managing or a general pattern of coping that makes them uncomfortable. Quite often they are experiencing other issues such as low self-esteem, trauma, or an inability to reach a desired goal. By helping them understand where their negative feelings are coming from, and providing information and the skills to manage them, I can help them feel better.
What can clients expect to take away from sessions with you?
In our first session I will ask what brought you to therapy and what your goals are for therapy. I will listen to what you are looking for and how you would like to work. You never need to talk about anything that makes you uncomfortable. I will do my best to help you feel supported from the beginning. I may ask if you've been in therapy before and what you found helpful and/or not helpful. I will also ask if you are looking for short term therapy or long term. For clients who are unsure I can listen to why you've come to therapy and give an honest answer to your questions, and information on how I can help.
Explain to clients what areas you feel are your biggest strengths.
Everyone is unique, and as a therapist I pride myself on helping my clients feel comfortable and supported enough to tell their story. I will listen and validate your thoughts and feelings in a judgement free space. As you help me understand what you are going through, I will use the knowledge I gained through education and practice to help you modify problematic patterns of thoughts and behaviors, and replace them with helpful and productive ones.
About Ivy Keating
Appointments
Virtual
My treatment methods
Dialectical Behavior (DBT)
DBT is an evidenced based therapy that is helpful in treating a variety of symptoms including anxiety and depression. I have found it very effective in helping people manage anxiety because it offers specific strategies on how to stop harmful thoughts and negative emotions from escalating. During sessions I go over these strategies and work with my clients on how they can use these skills to feel better. I often send handouts on the specific skills and homework if desired. If you wanted to try DBT and I do not have an appointment time available, please send me a message and I will try to accommodate you.
Cognitive Behavioral (CBT)
When feelings of stress and other negative emotions escalate a key to managing them and feeling better is learning to catch thinking errors. I use CBT to help my clients catch harmful thinking patterns and replace them with thoughts that are kind, realistic, and helpful.
Cognitive Processing (CPT)
CPT is very effective when someone has experienced trauma. I've helped my clients work through unhelpful beliefs related to the trauma by using the CPT method of challenging stuck points, (negative beliefs that keep negative thoughts and emotions alive). While processing these stuck points clients gain more balanced and accurate beliefs and the impact of their trauma starts to decline.
Solution Focused Brief Treatment
The therapy I offer is solution focused and just like SFBT it emphasizes building on a person's strengths. During the first session I encourage my clients to talk about their goals for therapy and this can include a timeframe for reaching them.
Acceptance and commitment (ACT)
This method helps foster feelings of well-being by promoting psychological flexibility. I use this therapy to help clients explore their values and the benefits of living in the present, (as opposed to being focused on the past or the future). ACT outlines obstacles we may face when trying to reach our goals. In sessions I can help my clients explore these obstacles and give them effective coping strategies to manage them.
