Individual Therapy in Brooklyn and Manhattan
Sometimes life feels harder than it should. You might find yourself stuck in the same patterns, struggling with anxiety or depression, or simply feeling like something is off — even when you can't quite put your finger on what. Individual therapy can help.
Working one-on-one in a supportive, confidential setting, I help adults and teens explore what's getting in the way of living the life they want. My approach draws on psychoanalytic principles, which means we go beyond what's on the surface and look at the deeper patterns, feelings, and conflicts that shape how you think, feel, and relate to others.
I work with people experiencing a wide range of concerns, including:
- Anxiety and worry
- Depression and low mood
- Relationship difficulties
- Personality and self-esteem issues
- Life transitions and identity questions
- Grief and loss
- Work-related stress and burnout
Therapy isn't about being told what to do — it's about developing a deeper understanding of yourself so you can make more conscious, deliberate choices. Many of my patients find that, over time, they not only feel better but relate to themselves and others in a more fulfilling way.
I offer sessions from my offices in Brooklyn Heights and Washington Square Park, Manhattan. Whether you're new to therapy or returning after a break, I'd love to hear from you.
Psychoanalysis, CBT, and DBT — how they compare
People often ask how psychoanalysis relates to the more familiar, often insurance-covered options like CBT and DBT. Here's a plain-language comparison to help you understand the differences.
| Psychoanalysis& Psychodynamic Psychotherapy | CBT | DBT | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Focus | Unconscious patterns, early relational experiences, and inner conflicts driving your difficulties | Current thought patterns and behaviors tied to specific symptoms | Emotional regulation and distress tolerance |
| Structure | Open-ended and exploratory | Structured and time-limited | Structured, often paired with skills groups |
| Duration | Varies widely; often longer-term, reflecting the depth and complexity of what's being addressed, depending on the client's goals | Typically short-term, often 12–20 sessions | Often 6 months to a year or more, especially with skills groups |
| Techniques | Free association, exploring transference, working with dreams and recurring patterns | Cognitive restructuring, behavioral exercises, homework | Mindfulness, distress tolerance, interpersonal effectiveness skills |
| Goal | Deep self-knowledge, possibility for lasting change and freedom from unconscious self-sabotage and repetition | Reducing specific symptoms (e.g. anxiety, phobias) | Managing intense emotions and reducing harmful behaviors |
| Best suited for | Those who'd like to go deeper; relationship problems; identity questions; repetitive conflicts or challenges; anyone seeking deep and meaningful change | Specific, well-defined symptoms or phobias; those wanting a structured, short-term, skills-based approach | Intense emotions, self-harm, or difficulty with emotional regulation and relationships |
Many patients find these approaches complementary rather than competing. The right fit depends on your goals — we can talk through this together during your free consultation.
When psychoanalysis may be right for you
Psychoanalysis tends to be especially valuable when problems feel complex, layered, or long-standing—when you've tried other approaches and still feel stuck, when you sense there's something deeper driving your difficulties, or when you're interested not just in feeling better, but in truly understanding yourself. It is particularly effective for relational difficulties, depression and anxiety that doesn't fully resolve with behavioral interventions, identity struggles, grief or trauma that remains unresolved, and the sense that you keep repeating the same painful patterns across different areas of your life.
What research says about depth work
A substantial and growing body of research supports the effectiveness of psychodynamic psychotherapies for a wide range of conditions, including depression, anxiety disorders, personality disorders, and somatic symptoms. Notably, studies have found a "sleeper effect"—patients who complete psychodynamic treatment often continue to improve after therapy ends, as new insights and capacities consolidate over time. This stands in contrast to some symptom-focused approaches, where gains may plateau or require ongoing maintenance. (See: Shedler, 2010)
Feel free to reach out to set up an initial consultation — there's no obligation, and we can simply talk about whether working together feels like a good fit.
Frequently asked questions
Do you take insurance?
I'm out-of-network. I provide superbills that you can submit to your insurance company for possible reimbursement, depending on your out-of-network benefits.
What are your session rates?
Please contact me directly for current rates. Reduced rates may be available for students and BIPOC patients, depending on availability.
Do you see patients in person or via telehealth?
I mostly see patients in my offices in Downtown Brooklyn and the West Village but telehealth is available in some cases. Reach out and we can discuss whether it's a good fit for your situation.
What happens during the free consultation?
I offer a free 15-minute phone consultation to talk about what's bringing you to therapy and to see if we seem like a good fit — no obligation.
What is the difference between psychoanalysis and psychodynamic psychotherapy?
Both share the same theoretical foundation — unconscious processes, transference, defense, and the developmental roots of present difficulties. Psychoanalysis tends to be more intensive, going deeper and working through transference. In psychodynamic psychotherapy the therapist may be more active and goal-oriented or focused on shifting particular conflicts. However, in practice there is a lot of overlap. Cognitive therapy works with thought patterns and focuses on specific symptoms. Behavioral therapies focus on modifying specific behaviors to shift outcomes.
Check Your Out-of-Network Benefits
I'm out-of-network with insurance, but many plans reimburse a portion of the cost through out-of-network benefits. Use the tool below to check your coverage in a couple of minutes.