Find a Therapist in North Hills, New York.

I look at thoughts and feelings what is important to you to give you a clearer approach to your path in life and what may be getting in the way. You may have an idea of how you want to be helped, and I will formulate a specific idea of how I can best help you. The reason that I like doing this kind of therapy is it is deep work that can be life changing.

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.

If you find yourself struggling with the same old issues to no avail, I can help. Using a collaborative approach, I will work with you to identify the feelings, beliefs and behavioral patterns keeping you stuck. We will get curious about the narrative you have about yourself and question long-held ideas of what you should and shouldn't do and be. Through this process of exploration, discovery and growth, you will open up to new ways of understanding yourself, the world, and what is truly possible for you.

I care deeply about the people I work with and offer a personable and warm approach to psychotherapy. I integrate a variety of therapeutic techniques, including CBT and Insight Oriented Therapies, and I tailor my sessions to meet your unique needs. My clients learn coping skills to address daily stressors, and how to alter negative self-talk that exacerbates anxiety, depression, and feeling out of control of their life. I help my clients explore patterns of thoughts and behaviors, and to address the root of what is troubling them. I center our work on building a strong therapeutic relationship where clients feel at ease, and are fully seen, without fear of judgement or rejection.

In my approach to psychotherapy, I create a safe and supportive environment where clients can explore their thoughts, emotions, and behaviors in depth. I use a personalized, client-centered approach, drawing from various therapeutic modalities to address each individual’s unique needs. Through our work together, clients gain greater self-awareness, uncover patterns, and develop healthier coping mechanisms. My goal is to empower individuals to overcome obstacles, improve emotional well-being, and foster long-term personal growth and resilience.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

In my continued endeavor to help and guide my patients, I embrace the Integrative Psychotherapy approach. In short, Integrative Psychotherapy is a “big picture” approach which seeks to bring together the therapeutic elements from the different schools of psychotherapy into the process of positive and wholesome change for the patient. Working in the Integrative Psychotherapy approach we can embrace and affirm your inherent values and your own inner healing ability. It is unifying and balancing.

CBT (Cognitive Behavioral Therapy) targets maladaptive thoughts and behaviors, promoting change through cognitive restructuring and behavioral techniques. ERP (Exposure and Response Prevention) focuses on reducing anxiety by gradually exposing individuals to feared stimuli without engaging in compulsive behaviors. EFT (Emotionally Focused Therapy) aims to strengthen emotional bonds in relationships by fostering empathy and communication skills. Each approach offers unique strategies for addressing psychological issues, empowering clients to overcome challenges and achieve greater well-being through evidence-based interventions.

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.

Whether you are seeking help with a specific problem or simply trying to build a deeper understanding of yourself, my goal is for you to walk away with the confidence of having a clearer path towards your desired life. We do this by examining your life and its issues, identifying ways to move forward, and helping you pick the approach that will fit best for you. Don't worry about the issue, be it addiction, anger,family issues.....there is always an approach. If you want the help, I am determined to help you.

One of the most life altering actions when seeking to gain traction in the struggle to live a satisfying life is the choice to work with a therapist. It signals a ground-breaking change in our approach to meeting the challenges we face; demonstrating a shift that embraces the possibility of tapping into knowledge and support outside our own skull. Most of us have a better ability to see and understand the actions and motivation of others than our own. We all have personal blind spots. This is evident early in therapy, when one experiences striking progress as a result of new insights gained in therapy.

Psychotherapy provides a unique opportunity to explore your thoughts, feelings and behaviors in the context of a relationship that is safe, compassionate, and non-judgmental. In this space it is possible to gain insight into patterns that might be harmful and/or holding you back from realizing your relationship, career and family goals and potential. I am certified in cognitive processing therapy and EMDR, both evidence based practices for the treatment of traumatic experiences and/or PTSD. Additionally, I am trained in interpersonal psychotherapy, motivational interviewing, and frequently use elements of mindfulness based practices to treat depression and anxiety.

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.

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.

Psychotherapy is a highly effective treatment for individuals, couples or families experiencing emotional turmoil. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy is one type of psychotherapy that looks at how negative thoughts and feelings effect behavior. The C.B.T. approach teaches you techniques that can change these negative thoughts. Why struggle with feelings of depression, low self worth, poor body image and more when there may a treatment that can help you change your negative outlook.

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.

Psychotherapy is an umbrella term for the work I do with clients. With couples psychotherapy involves the Gottman method and with individuals it involves many different approaches that are best suited for the individual at hand. Through psychotherapy, I provide a safe space for clients to share what they've been going through as well as their goals and guide them in reaching those goals.

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.

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.

I am a strong believer that good therapy is always safe but not always comfortable. I will establish rapport to generate safety and gently challenge my clients to explore their narrative and behaviors to explore how they can shift their mindset or actions to achieve their goals. With a tendency to let my client sit in the driver seat, my clients set the pace and I help them navigate their road.

Madison Park Psychological Services is devoted to serving the NYC community through many psychotherapy and treatment specializations. Our goal is to provide a safe environment and professional guidance so you can achieve balance at the Body-Mind-Spirit level. We work with diverse populations across various cultures, religions, and ages to offer a tailored treatment for sustainable results.