Michael Kariyev
I am Michael Kariyev, a Licensed Clinical Social Worker and the owner of Therapy Insights Practice. With a deep commitment to mental health and well-being, I have dedicated my career to helping individuals, couples, and families navigate their emotional challenges and achieve lasting positive change. My approach is client-centered, focusing on understanding each person’s unique experiences and tailoring interventions to meet their specific needs. At Therapy Insights Practice, I lead a team of skilled clinicians who share my passion for providing compassionate, evidence-based care. Our practice offers a range of therapeutic services, including Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Emotionally Focused Couples Therapy (EFT), Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR), and Solution-Focused Brief Therapy (SFBT), among others. We believe in empowering our clients to harness their strengths, overcome obstacles, and build healthier, more fulfilling lives. Beyond individual therapy, I am committed to creating a supportive and collaborative environment for our team, ensuring that we continually enhance our skills and stay at the forefront of the latest therapeutic practices. My goal is to ensure that every client who walks through our doors feels heard, understood, and supported on their journey to mental wellness. Whether you are dealing with anxiety, depression, relationship issues, trauma, or life transitions, I and my team are here to help you find the clarity and tools you need to thrive. At Therapy Insights Practice, we believe that everyone has the potential for growth and healing, and we are honored to be a part of your journey towards a brighter future.
First session
In your first session with me at Therapy Insights Practice, you can expect a welcoming and supportive environment where we will begin to explore your concerns and goals for therapy. The first session is an essential step in building our therapeutic relationship and setting the foundation for our work together. Here’s an overview of what you can expect during this initial meeting: Introduction and Setting the Tone As you arrive for your first session, my goal is to make you feel comfortable and at ease. I understand that starting therapy can be an anxiety-provoking experience, especially if it’s your first time seeking professional help. We will begin with a brief introduction, where I’ll share a bit about my background and the therapeutic approaches I use. This is also a chance for you to share anything you’d like about your previous experiences with therapy or what brings you to seek help now. Understanding Your Reasons for Seeking Therapy One of the main focuses of the first session is understanding what has brought you to therapy. I will ask open-ended questions to get a sense of the issues or challenges you are currently facing. Whether you’re dealing with anxiety, depression, relationship difficulties, trauma, or simply feeling stuck, this is your opportunity to share your story and express what you hope to achieve through therapy. The more information you provide, the better I can understand your needs and tailor our sessions to be most effective for you. Exploring Your History and Background To gain a comprehensive understanding of your situation, I will likely ask about various aspects of your life, including your personal history, family background, relationships, work or school life, and any previous experiences with mental health treatment. This information helps me understand the context in which your concerns have developed and may highlight patterns or underlying factors that contribute to your current challenges. For example, if you’re seeking help for anxiety, I might ask when you first noticed symptoms, how they have impacted your daily life, and whether there have been any significant life events or stressors that may have triggered or exacerbated your anxiety. If you’re coming in for couples therapy, we may explore the history of your relationship, communication patterns, and any recent conflicts or changes that have led you to seek support. Discussing Your Goals for Therapy A crucial part of the first session is setting the sta
Strengths
As a provider, my greatest strengths lie in my deep commitment to client-centered care, my expertise in a range of therapeutic modalities, and my ability to create a safe and supportive environment for clients to explore their concerns. 1. Client-Centered Approach: I prioritize understanding each client’s unique needs, experiences, and goals. By tailoring my therapeutic approach to the individual, I ensure that our work together is relevant and effective. My focus is always on empowering clients to take an active role in their healing process. 2. Diverse Therapeutic Expertise: I have extensive training in various evidence-based therapies, including Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Emotionally Focused Couples Therapy (EFT), Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR), and Solution-Focused Brief Therapy (SFBT). This diverse skill set allows me to adapt my methods to best suit the specific challenges each client is facing. 3. Creating a Safe and Supportive Environment: I am dedicated to building a therapeutic relationship based on trust, empathy, and respect. Clients often find that they can open up and explore difficult emotions and experiences in our sessions because they feel genuinely understood and supported. 4. Commitment to Continuous Growth: I am always striving to expand my knowledge and skills, ensuring that I stay at the forefront of therapeutic practices. This commitment to professional growth allows me to provide the highest quality care to my clients. 5. Strong Communication and Listening Skills: I believe in the power of listening deeply to my clients and communicating clearly. This ensures that clients feel heard and that we are always on the same page as we work towards their goals. These strengths enable me to effectively support my clients in their journey towards mental and emotional well-being, helping them overcome challenges and achieve meaningful, lasting change.
Ideal clients
As a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) and the owner of Therapy Insights Practice, I am best positioned to serve clients who are motivated to improve their mental and emotional well-being and who are seeking a supportive, evidence-based therapeutic environment. My ideal clients are those who recognize that they are experiencing challenges in their lives—whether these are related to anxiety, depression, relationship difficulties, trauma, or major life transitions—and are ready to engage in a collaborative process to address these issues. Individuals Experiencing Anxiety and Depression One of the core client groups I am particularly well-equipped to serve includes individuals struggling with anxiety and depression. These clients often feel overwhelmed by persistent worry, fear, sadness, or a sense of hopelessness. They may have tried to manage these feelings on their own but find that they are stuck in a cycle of negative thoughts and behaviors. My approach, which incorporates Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) among other modalities, is designed to help these clients identify the thought patterns that contribute to their distress and develop healthier, more adaptive ways of thinking and behaving. I work with clients to build coping strategies that reduce the intensity of their symptoms and help them regain control over their lives. Couples Facing Relationship Challenges Another key demographic I serve is couples who are experiencing difficulties in their relationships. Whether they are dealing with communication issues, unresolved conflicts, or a growing emotional distance, these couples often feel disconnected and are unsure how to bridge the gap between them. Through Emotionally Focused Couples Therapy (EFT), I help partners explore and understand their emotional responses, identify the underlying needs and fears that drive their interactions, and develop new ways of relating to each other that foster greater intimacy and trust. My goal is to support couples in breaking negative interaction cycles and creating a more secure and fulfilling relationship. Individuals Dealing with Trauma I am also particularly skilled in working with individuals who have experienced trauma. Trauma can have a profound impact on a person’s mental and emotional health, often leading to symptoms such as anxiety, depression, flashbacks, and a heightened sense of vulnerability. Using Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR), I guide clients through a process
Treatment methods
Cognitive Behavioral (CBT)
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) is a structured, time-limited approach that helps clients identify and challenge negative thought patterns and behaviors that contribute to emotional distress. By learning to recognize and reframe these thoughts, clients develop healthier coping mechanisms, leading to more positive behaviors and improved emotional well-being. Through regular practice and guided exercises, CBT empowers clients to manage and reduce symptoms of anxiety, depression, and other mental health issues, fostering long-term psychological resilience.
Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT)
Emotionally Focused Couples Therapy (EFT) is a structured approach that helps couples understand and transform their emotional responses to strengthen their bond. By focusing on the emotional underpinnings of conflicts, EFT guides couples in identifying and expressing their deeper needs and fears, fostering greater understanding and empathy between partners. This process helps break negative interaction patterns and build secure emotional connections, leading to more fulfilling and resilient relationships.
Solution-Focused Brief Treatment
Solution-Focused Brief Therapy (SFBT) is a goal-oriented approach that empowers clients to envision and achieve positive change by focusing on their strengths and resources. Rather than dwelling on problems, SFBT helps clients identify what’s working in their lives and builds on these successes to create practical, achievable goals. Through collaborative conversations, clients discover their own solutions, which leads to quicker progress and a greater sense of control over their circumstances.
EMDR
Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) is a therapeutic approach designed to help clients process and heal from traumatic experiences. By using guided eye movements or other forms of bilateral stimulation, EMDR helps the brain reprocess distressing memories, reducing their emotional impact. This allows clients to integrate these memories in a healthier way, leading to a decrease in trauma-related symptoms such as anxiety, depression, and flashbacks. EMDR facilitates the natural healing process, helping clients achieve relief and move forward with greater resilience and emotional well-being.
Location
Virtual sessions
In-person sessions330 West 38th Street, New York, NY 10018, Suite 705