Licensed to practice in New York and accepts 10 insurances. Specializes in Anxiety, Coping Skills, Couples Counseling and 10 more.
(he/him)
New to Grow
I am a Licensed Clinical Social Worker with more than 30 years of experience helping individuals, couples and families navigate anxiety, depression, relationship issues, grief and life transitions. I have extensive experience helping professionals and first responders cope and manage trauma and work stress. I stress the importance of self care, "play" and mindfulness. Whether you're navigating anxiety, relationship concerns, life transitions, or simply feeling stuck, I provide a supportive, nonjudgmental environment where we work together to build resilience, develop effective solutions, and help you move toward the life you want.
I view the first session as a "getting to know you" conversation. My goal is to understand not only the challenges that brought you to therapy, but also your strengths, supports, and what you hope to accomplish. Clients can expect a supportive, nonjudgmental atmosphere where they are heard and understood, as we begin developing a plan tailored to their unique needs and goals.
The resilience I developed through overcoming significant challenges earlier in my life has shaped both who I am and how I practice therapy. Those experiences allow me to genuinely understand adversity while helping clients recognize and build on their own strengths. I use a practical, solution-focused approach that has served me well personally, professionally, and emotionally, and I teach clients those same skills to help them navigate life's challenges with greater confidence and effectiveness. My style is nonjudgmental, direct, and thoughtfully challenging. I believe growth happens when people feel both supported and encouraged to move beyond their comfort zones, so I strive to provide compassionate guidance that empowers clients to create meaningful, lasting change.
My ideal clients are individuals and couples who are ready to make meaningful changes in their lives, even if they're not yet sure where to begin. They may be struggling with anxiety, relationship challenges, stress, life transitions, or feeling stuck in patterns that no longer serve them. They value honesty, are open to being challenged in a supportive way, and are willing to actively participate in the therapeutic process. Together, we focus on identifying strengths, building resilience, developing practical solutions, and creating lasting, positive change.
I use Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) to help clients understand how their thoughts, emotions, and behaviors influence one another. Together, we identify unhelpful thinking patterns, challenge beliefs that may be keeping them stuck, and develop healthier, more realistic ways of thinking and responding to life's challenges. CBT is a practical, goal-oriented approach that equips clients with skills they can apply outside of therapy to reduce distress, improve relationships, build confidence, and make lasting changes. I tailor these techniques to each client's unique strengths and circumstances, ensuring they leave sessions with tools they can use in everyday life.
My approach to couples counseling is grounded in the belief that healthy relationships are built through effective communication, mutual respect, and a willingness to grow together. In addition to more than 30 years of clinical experience, my own 25-year marriage has reinforced the importance of commitment, compromise, and intentionally nurturing a relationship over time. I help couples learn to communicate in ways that promote understanding rather than defensiveness, establish healthy "rules of engagement" for managing conflict, and develop practical skills to resolve disagreements without damaging the relationship. Together, we identify unhelpful patterns, strengthen emotional connection, and focus on solutions that meet both partners' needs. Just as importantly, I encourage couples to move beyond simply avoiding conflict by rediscovering how to appreciate, value, and cherish one another. My goal is to help couples build a relationship where both partners feel heard, respected, and connected, creating a stronger foundation for lasting happiness.
Grief is a deeply personal experience, and there is no "right" way to heal. My role is to provide a compassionate, supportive environment where clients can process their loss at their own pace while learning to adapt to life in meaningful ways. Whether the loss involves a loved one, a relationship, a career, or another significant life change, I help clients understand the emotional impact of grief without feeling pressured to "move on." Together, we work to process difficult emotions, develop healthy coping strategies, and build resilience while honoring the importance of what has been lost. Over time, therapy helps clients find hope, reconnect with their strengths, and create a life that allows them to carry their memories forward while embracing the future with greater peace and purpose.
I believe emotional and physical well-being are deeply connected. Stress, anxiety, trauma, and depression often affect the body just as much as the mind, contributing to symptoms such as muscle tension, fatigue, headaches, disrupted sleep, and difficulty concentrating. As part of therapy, I help clients recognize these connections and incorporate mind-body strategies that promote both emotional healing and physical well-being. Depending on each client's needs, I may integrate techniques such as mindfulness, relaxation training, diaphragmatic breathing, grounding exercises, guided imagery, and other evidence-based stress management practices. These approaches complement traditional therapy by helping clients regulate their nervous system, reduce emotional distress, increase self-awareness, and respond more effectively to life's challenges. My goal is to equip clients with practical tools they can use every day to feel calmer, more balanced, and more resilient.
I believe that understanding what is happening is often the first step toward meaningful change. Psychoeducation is an important part of my approach because it helps clients make sense of their thoughts, emotions, behaviors, and relationships in a way that reduces confusion, fear, and self-blame. When people understand why they are experiencing certain reactions, they are better equipped to respond with confidence rather than feeling overwhelmed. Throughout therapy, I explain psychological concepts in practical, easy-to-understand language and provide clients with evidence-based tools they can immediately apply to their daily lives. Whether we're addressing anxiety, depression, relationship difficulties, grief, trauma, or life transitions, my goal is not only to help clients feel better but also to help them understand themselves better. By combining education with practical skill-building, clients leave therapy with greater insight, increased confidence, and strategies they can continue using long after our work together has ended.