Risa Mandell
Hello and welcome to my practice. I work exclusively with people in their 20s through their 30s. Please disregard the platform, which is programmed for Age Groups 18 - 64.
Conversations between two people - each of us in our designated roles - we're listening with gentle curiosity and without judgment to whatever arises in you.
This stage of life can bring many questions about identity, purpose, relationships and direction. Together, we'll facilitate how you want to show up in the world. You might be feeling stuck, unsure of your next step, or noticing patterns that no longer serve you. Together, we’ll take time to explore what’s getting in the way of the life you want to live. Psychotherapy is a space where you can slow down, reflect, and begin to experience yourself in a setting that elucidates the structure of your thinking. Our conversations will focus on how you relate to your thoughts, feelings, body and the people around you as well as to the broader world. By bringing a spoken awareness to these experiences, we can begin to uncover new possibilities and directions, especially as my education and experience has sharpened my ear to listen to how your thinking is structured. My goal is to support you as you gain greater freedom to choose how you respond to life and how you move forward according to your desire.
First session
Our first session will have a bit of structure so I can learn more about you and what brings you to therapy. From there, our conversations tend to unfold more naturally. We’ll take time to notice and reflect on your experiences—your thoughts, feelings, relationships, and the patterns that shape your daily life. This process allows us to gently explore what may be keeping you stuck and what might help you to move forward.
Strengths
One of my core strengths is my ability to listen closely and deeply. Through careful listening, I help you to listen to yourself. As we explore your experiences , you may begin to notice patterns that once served a purpose but no longer fit your life today. Sometimes these patterns can feel like wearing a raincoat long after the storm has passed. Together, we can slowly and thoughtfully loosen the hold of these habits so you can move through life with more flexibility and freedom.
Ideal clients
I work best, and exclusively, with adults between the ages of 20 and 39 who are navigating questions about meaning, identity, and direction in their lives. Many of the people I work with feel stuck, disconnected, or uncertain about their purpose. Others may simply feel that something in their life is not quite aligning with who they want to be. If you’re ready to explore these questions and reflect more deeply on your life experience, therapy can be a place where meaningful change begins. Often, the way forward starts by leaning into what we’re experiencing. As the saying goes, the way out is through—this is best done with someone, like myself who has the education and experience to listen and reflect back to you what you might not be hearing.
Treatment methods
Psychodynamic
I listen to you in order to bring the your attention to themes as well as to pauses, slips, silences so that you learn to listen to yourself. We both get to know you as articulated in your speech through non-goal directed, meandering conversations. Sessions are conversations between you, a person who has courageously turned to a stranger and me, a person who is a skilled listener. We engage in this collaborative partnership to serve your capacity to flourish as in not just to function better, but to flourish.
Psychoeducation
I use Psychological Education to explain how the mind works and how you can become familiar with how your mind works.
Eclectic
I'm familiar with several methods and use what is needed in the moment.
Location
Virtual sessions
Identifies as
Other specialties
Serves
Doesn't specialize in
Licensed in
- PennsylvaniaLicense CW015751