Find a Therapist in East Rockaway, New York.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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 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.

My approach to psychotherapy integrates several different theoretical orientations. This includes cognitive behavioral, experiential, positive psychology, family systems, and psychodynamic therapies. Therefore treatment with me will likely involve both a detailed exploration of your background and at the same time provide practical solution oriented interventions. By developing a comprehensive understanding of your unique personality I can determine which combination of approaches is most appropriate for you at different points throughout your treatment to most effectively assist you.

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.

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.

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.

Many people say, "The past is the past," or "I want to leave the past behind." I support these statements, as long as the past is actually there...in the past. Many people find that their current experiences in life and relationships mirror situations from their pasts. Without meaning to, you may re-experience pain and/or discomfort in areas such as work, home life, parenting, marriage, or dating that feel familiar from early life experiences and relationships. This is common. Learning about your patterns is the beginning to making more positive choices for yourself.

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.