About Therapy and About Me
Start here to heal and lead a better life.
There are many reasons and life circumstances when we may feel unable to solve our own problems. It takes strength to reach out and seek help.
Some of the issues that may bring one to therapy may include:
- Feelings of anxiety and/or depression
- Relationships that are unfulfilling, conflictual or empty
- Feeling stressed and burdened from family and /or work life
- Current or past trauma
- Body distress, chronic dieting and binge eating
- Feeling lonely and alone wishing for deeper connections
- Having a harsh inner critic and not feeling good enough
ABOUT THERAPY:
This is a chance to think about what you are looking for in therapy, what you need right now, and what kind of a therapist is a good match for you.
What is therapy anyway? Therapy is about hope, healing and change. It is about growing from where you are to what is possible.
I offer individual and couples therapy. As you will see below, I have specialized trainings in both areas, training that I believe is uniquely useful in helping individuals and couples to achieve resilience and change the direction of their lives.
ABOUT INDIVIDUAL THERAPY:
I offer Coherent Narrative Therapy TM to adults of all ages. This model, developed by Gail Noppe-Brandon, LCSW, is a powerful method enabling people to make meaning of their own lives, past, present and future. As new understandings emerge, old patterns and beliefs that no longer work can be revised. Then you can begin to re-frame your personal story and create a new narrative leading to healing and living a better life.
Self-blame and a negative self-image can give way to self-compassion and self-acceptance. Together, we will make it safe for you to change.
My message to you is that change is possible, and the future can be different from both the past and your present experience.
In the following radio interview with Gail Noppe-Brandon, you can learn more about Coherent Narrative Therapy™.
ABOUT COUPLE THERAPY:
We are wired for emotional connection from the time we are born through our entire lives. In our closest relationships, we can feel the most joy and love, as well as the most hurt and despair when our conflicts and resentments have not been repaired and/or our needs are not being met. We may wind up in an ongoing negative cycle of interaction where issues don’t get resolved and the distance grows wider and wider. When we feel disconnected from the person we love, we may feel lonely, alone, and significant distress.
I offer EFT (Emotionally Focused Couple Therapy), developed by Sue Johnson, PhD. Couples can learn to repair their hurts and resentments, meet each other’s needs, and build the foundation for a loving, emotionally safe and resilient bond. Decades of research demonstrate the effectiveness of EFT to help couples heal their relationship.
To learn more about the EFT process, you can look at the link for Couples and view two short videos below: “How can I Tell if My Marriage is in Trouble, and What Can I do to Prevent a Breakup?” with Dr. Sue Johnson, and “Taming the Cycle” by Sharon Mead illustrating de-escalation, a key element in the beginning stages of therapy. Working in a flexible manner, I meet with couples together or individually in whatever way makes sense to the process of healing.
ABOUT ME
Social work in all its forms has been my passion ever since I was an undergraduate at City College. Over the years, I have worked in clinical settings offering individual counseling to children and adults. I’ve also worked within the juvenile justice system and in agencies focused on intimate partner violence.
I received my Master’s Degree in Social Work from Columbia University. Throughout my career, I have continued to develop specializations, including eating disorders and body identity issues. I currently specialize in transformational work using Coherent Narrative Therapy™ and Emotionally Focused Couples Therapy (EFT). Additionally, I have trained in Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT), Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), and Trauma Therapy.
In my personal and professional life, I integrate meditation and mindfulness practices.
As a native New Yorker, diversity has been an integral part of my personal and professional life. I have worked with people from various cultures, ethnicities, and LGBTQ identities. For over 35 years, individuals and couples have sought me out for individual, couple and family therapy with a wide range of problems and challenges.
Over the years, I have volunteered with the American Red Cross Disaster Mental Health Team, supported asylum seekers through pro bono counseling and evaluations, led a support group at a literacy program, taught English to immigrants, and coached adults in reading . I have been involved with a grassroots group in my community addressing pressing issues of immigrant rights, health care, and affordable housing
TO SEE ABOUT OUR WORKING TOGETHER, YOU ARE INVITED TO TAKE THE NEXT STEP FOR A COMPLIMENTARY PHONE CONSULTATION. YOU CAN CALL ME AT (718) 514-3332, EMAIL ME AT cherylpearlmanpsychotherapist@gmail.com or use the link below.