Find a Therapist in East Rockaway, New York.

We strive to help individuals reach their highest potential and connect with their inner strength through the process of psychotherapy. Using a collaborative and supportive approach, we help you explore your roots in order to understand why an issue may be occurring and combine these insights with evidence-based interventions (e.g. positive reinforcement, relaxation training, mindfulness, coping skills) to help improve overall emotional health and wellness. We help you experience greater joy, peace and positive interactions with your loved ones.

I welcome and foster your deep expression of joy, sadness, vulnerability, and wisdom. When you know that you are fully accepted as yourself, and when you can fully see yourself, then you can also accept and love your full self as you truly are, because ultimately we are all amazing beings. By the therapy pointing to moments and narratives that are full of authenticity and feeling, as well as clarifying narratives that hold you back, you can start to sense and feel areas of yourself that you had forgotten existed, or had forgotten the importance of. Through therapy you can, via open, insightful discussion and safe emotional connection, reclaim lost parts of yourself and thrive.

As experienced, highly-credentialed clinical psychologists and couples counselors, Dr. Joel Stukalin and Dr. Sara Mandelbaum have the necessary background to conduct short-term or psychoanalystic psychotherapy with clients. This means that clients can decide to work on direct symptom-relief or more comprehensive therapy that may lead to a deeper understanding of inner-conflicts, self-aspirations and unconscious processes. In order to do our psychotherapy compassionately and effectively, Dr. Joel and Dr. Sara collaborate closely with clients to understand their initial motives and unfolding goals within the psychotherapy process. Clients often benefit from this higher standard of care.

Although I am licensed as a psychoanalyst in New York, over my 37 years of practice I have also trained in Gestalt therapy, bioenergetics, art therapy, psychodrama, group therapy, couples therapy and cognitive behavioral therapy. Thus I am eclectic and I apply whatever modality is needed in each case. Over the years I have developed a reputation as a psychotherapist who genuinely cares; and those clients who make a commitment to therapy make real progress.

Like most human experiences, I believe that Psychotherapy is a process. It needs a significant investment of time an energy and can be navigated in three stages: 1. Exploration; 2. Identification; 3. Change. My role as a therapist is to create the space for people to explore and identify some areas within themselves that they want to change and take the risk.

My practice is based on an Integrative approach to psychotherapy and health and lifestyle. Expanded creativity and general ability for one to make positive changes is the goal. Neuro scientific research has shown that psychoanalysis evokes lasting change. Psychoanalysis makes use of metaphor, dreams, art, writing, and poetry for individual expression.

Talk is powerful. Through talk we can learn how to listen, how to better understand ourselves and those around us, and begin the process of change. As a therapist, my goal is to listen to you and your needs so that I can give you the tools to move forward in your life and towards the goals you want to accomplish. In my practice I have helped individuals and couples deal with anxiety, depression, infidelity, and many life changes and challenges, and I know that no problem is too great too overcome. When you're ready for a real conversation, let's talk.

Psychotherapy or counseling is an important and proven form of talk therapy that can help you navigate your feelings of anxiety, depression or difficulty adjusting to a new phase in life. I will use multiple theoretical and practical basis based upon you as an individual to help you achieve your goals. These including cognitive behavioral therapy, solution focused therapy, mindfulness and action commitment therapy. Together we will approach your concerns in a safe and compassionate but motivating way.

I gear the therapy I provide to each individual client or couple based on what I believe will be most helpful. To me, psychotherapy begins when there is safety and a trusting therapeutic relationship. I meet the client where they are at and we work at a pace that feels comfortable for them. I have tremendous respect and admiration for my clients and appreciate their willingness to open up to me and let me into their lives.

Psychotherapy can be an effective tool in providing you with the necessary support and strategies to overcome the challenges you face. By starting therapy, you are taking control and action to change what no longer works in your life. I utilize Utilizing a variety of approaches including Cognitive/Cognitive-Behavioral, Existential/Humanistic, Person-Centered, Solution-Focused Brief Therapy, and more. I work along side you to create a treatment plan that is customized to meet your unique circumstances.

We are charting a new path that brings outcomes focused therapy to you. We simplify over 100 years of proven psychology and make it meaningful to your needs, goals, and journey. Our approach is adapted to fit your specific needs. Together, we map your path forward with our LifeMAP — a unique set of tools we have developed to clarify your goals, transparently track your progress, and move you towards your destination, so you can see and feel the progress being made.

Psychotherapy allows you to explore your struggles, issues, conflicts and insecurities in a supportive, non-judgmental environment. I work with you to assist you in finding ways to navigate and cope with your stressors. I utilize a solution focused approach, behavioral techniques and mindfulness, as well as other tools and techniques. Sessions are interactive.

Psychotherapy works best when it goes beyond talking about your problems and into the deeper patterns underneath them. My practice in Stuyvesant Town, Manhattan serves individuals throughout New York City and virtually across New York State. Using EMDR, Internal Family Systems, and Cognitive Processing Therapy, we work with the parts of you still living in the past. The goal is not just feeling better — it is understanding yourself at a level where lasting change becomes possible.

At its best, psychotherapy is a place to come back to our authentic selves. Life tends to be filled with responsibilities and busyness; we often forget how to get quiet and connect. My approach is rooted in the belief that you have all the inner wisdom you need to feel better and heal. I will help you gain the clarity and direction you need to find your way back to your authentic self. I am not an "uh-hm" therapist. My style is interactive and engaged. I seek to hear your story and provide a safe space in which you can tell it. We will explore patterns with curiosity and learn how to outgrow ones that once protected you. You will feel more emotional resilience and balance in your life!

Prioritize your wellness with psychotherapy in conjunction with medication management. Psychotherapy can offer a place to look at your current and past experiences from new perspectives and receive support as you move into the next chapter of your life. Let’s look at your wellness beyond just the biology. I want you to feel in control of your own wellness. As your doctor, I am committed to equipping you with the information you need to make clear, informed choices about your health.

I believe that an attuned and empathic relationship is the basis for effective therapy. Therapy can provide the space to address difficult life issues with support and guidance. I work to create an atmosphere of safety and respect in which issues can emerge, be understood and resolved. Psychotherapy can lead to deep and lasting change, and empower you to live life to the fullest.

When clients graduate from treatment, they take with them a box full of "tools", such as effective anger management techniques, avoiding confrontations that lead to negative expressions of anger, resolving conflict peacefully and quietly, making the right decisions in every aspect of life, and perseverance to always build skills against life's problems and apply them consistently.

My patients benefit from psychotherapy with me because I show them not only how to feel better but get better. Getting better means learning how they make themselves upset and how to stop doing this even when life and people are blocking them. I teach skills for directly changing self-defeating behavior. I give patients tools for self-direction and emotional responsibility. I send my patients emails to prompt them to think differently between sessions. I help them to transfer the skills I teach from my office to their home and work environments. I teach people how to maintain and extend treatment gains so that they do not need to be in psychotherapy forever.

Clients from ages 8 to 80 will gain a sense of overall well-being from a personalized approach to psychotherapy. With a background in cognitive behavioral therapy, hypnosis, eating disorders and other addictions, I will help empower you to achieve the results you are seeking. Using a variety of techniques including mindfulness-based stress reduction, psychotherapy can help you to reduce stress in your life and clear-away the obstacles in your path so that you can achieve your goals. Whether the trouble is work, relationships (romantic or familial), or anger management, having a highly trained and experienced psychotherapist can help you to attain greater happiness. Anxiety and depression can

Psychotherapy will be a collaborative, warm, trauma informed approach. Utilizing different mechanisms in order to explore how to make a better version of yourself and improve your wellness, recovery process, and mental health. Incorporating learning new healthy habits will take place. Increased confidence, self-esteem, and building on your self worth will take place.

The mind, body and spirit are intimately connected to how we asses our overall health and wellness. Most of us can agree that our own mental, physical and spiritual wellness is the single most important priority in our lives. However, how much of our energy and hard work goes into nourishing and improving these areas of our lives? In today's fast paced world, many of us spend too much time and energy on areas of our lives that are draining and depleting and not nearly enough time on the areas of our lives that enrich and nourish our health, wellness and overall sense of joy. The good news is we all have the ability to adapt and change.

I use an approach called positive psychology. Our primary goal in working together is guiding you toward a more happy, meaningful and fulfilling life. From work, to marriage, to social relationships, and raising children, you will learn effective emotion coaching kills that you will be able to apply across all areas of your life. Together we will increase positive emotions, engagement, meaning, and relationships in your life. We will conduct a character strengths test and begin working with your strengths across all areas of your life. I will show you how to use self concordant goals in order to achieve desired results in your job, marriage or with your children. Self concordant goals are goals that you choose that are aligned with your deep personal values and interests.

Psychotherapy is not anything to be scared of, or intimidated about. Seeking out a therapist or being in therapy isn't an admission of weakness or some kind of character flaw. Therapy is a collaborative process and a partnership with someone who is trained in and experienced with facilitating personal growth. And in this process, you are in the driver's seat. Our minds and emotions and relationships involve complicated machinery just like our bodies do and in the same way a medical doctor helps you stay physically healthy, Psychotherapy is designed to help you be and stay mentally and socially strong, and continually in a position to take on life's many challenges as your best self.

I am successful. I have what I thought I wanted I should be happy but I feel like a failure and why don’t people understand what I am going through? Does that sound like you? Then you are in the right place. When you feel this way it time to look at your life, relationships and where you want to be. With a free consultation I can get you started.

I am honored to work with individuals and couples from many different walks of life. My approach is rooted in respect, authenticity, and collaboration — always holding you as the expert in your own story. In our work together, I strive to create a space that feels safe, supportive, and genuinely affirming, where you can explore challenges honestly and move toward healing, growth, and deeper connection.