Find a Therapist in Stewart Manor, New York.

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.

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.

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.

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 aim to create a safe space where you can explore your thoughts, feelings, and behaviors. Together, we can gain insight into the negative patterns and beliefs that may be contributing to your challenges. Through this process, you can develop coping skills, enhance your self-awareness, and learn strategies for managing stress, anxiety, depression, and many other issues. In these sessions, you can focus on improving all types of relationships, including romantic relationships, family relationships, professional relationships, and friendships.

Couples tell me that I am unlike most other therapists because I work in-office. Many of my clients are high-net-worth individuals and expect a common sense approach tailored to their busy lives. Couples tell me that they feel supported and challenged in our sessions and they like that accountability is part of the process. I have the ability to keep track important details and help you move through our process faster. Our work pays dividends to you as you develop lifelong tools to: manage conflict, increase intimacy and pleasure, improve communication, lower stress, and reduce anxiety and depression.

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.

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.

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.

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, or talk therapy as it is known, is the most common approach to learning about the root causes of the presenting problem. We will use psychotherapy extensively together to learn about your life and what might seem in the way of moving forward in it. Make no mistake, the barriers to moving forward to the kind of life you want to live are removable!

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.

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.