The process of finding a therapist can be bewildering and frustrating, especially if it's a new process for you. When am I going to hear back? Psychopharmacology? Psychoeducation? Psycho-what? What are all these specializations - is that something that applies to me? Here are some things to consider in your search.

If you have lived in or spent significant time in New York City, you have likely come to recognize that it impacts people in different ways. Its sheer size, diversity, culture, popularity, uniqueness and general stimulation brings with it a profound set of influences.  In fact, when I begin therapy with someone, I often look to understand how they uniquely experience the city as a beginning point for our work together. 

As a therapist, I am often asked to explain how therapy works. It isn’t always an easy question to answer, considering that each client comes to therapy with different needs, challenges, and strengths. However, while the “active ingredient” of therapy may vary from person to person, there are two important elements that are almost always present in an effective treatment.

As a trauma and addiction psychologist, I talk to many people who feel overwhelmed by messy lives, difficult relationships, and inner pain. This is a common feeling, especially in 2021 as we continue to face a global pandemic accompanied by major changes to our ways of being and thinking.

At Corestory, we hold as most important the fundamental, and animating value of story and storytelling. I see your stories as a living tapestry of what connects you to your past, defines your current experiences, and guides your decisions about how to navigate into your future. You ARE your stories, and when you lose contact with your stories, you lose contact with yourself, and in clinical language, this can lead to symptoms of depression and anxiety.

One day in mid-March 2020, our lives took an unexpected turn when we were asked to stay home and conduct our usual business in the most unusual way. Our social and professional stories collapsed into a “curve-flattened” version of themselves where some of our senses became over-used (the burn in your eyes after a day of Zoom meetings), while others lost their usual stimulation (remember hugging?). 

The holiday season can provoke a range of emotions and stresses but this holiday season can feel especially stressful because of the COVID-19 pandemic. Whether you choose to gather with family, celebrate with your existing household members, or connect virtually, it is important to begin to cope with the feelings that will arise. Beginning the coping process before we reach the holidays will allow us to identify potential factors that may cause emotional distress and develop healthy coping mechanisms to manage that distress. The benefits of coping ahead of the holiday season include allowing yourself to create realistic expectations and bringing a sense of control during a time of uncertainty.

There are so many things to think about when looking for a therapist. Most people have practical questions: do they take my insurance? Is their office convenient to get to (once in-person therapy resumes)? What is their training and approach to therapy? Personal qualities such as the therapist’s racial identity, sexual orientation, or gender identity may also factor into the decision-making process. 

Pregnancy After Loss (PAL) is any pregnancy that follows a gestational loss (i.e., miscarriage or stillbirth); 50-60% of women who experienced a pregnancy loss become pregnant again within a year following their loss.

The recent events regarding police brutality and the murders of Black men and women are a painful reminder for Black and African Americans that racial inequality is ingrained in the American justice system. George Floyd is not the first or even the most recent victim of abuse of power and force from the police. It is long overdue for our country to take an introspective look at the implicit and explicit biases that imposes itself on our judgement and decision making as a society.