Family therapy and counseling in Buffalo, NY

I believe in helping all age groups actualize their potential and goals. Utilizing empathy and therapeutic listening, this is a safe space to explore various life dynamics and how they impact your life. I specialize in helping people with a broad array of symptoms including anxiety, depression, trauma, ADHD, life transitions, and many other topics that cause distress or difficulty.

As a bilingual psychotherapist having worked with a wide range of demographics and populations over the years, i have learned providing a nonjudgemental and warm space is the foundation of effective therapy. Whether this is your first time in therapy or returning back, we will work together in achieving your goals by tailoring the tools specifically to your needs.

I am a licensed social worker with over twenty years of experience supporting children, individuals, and families. My professional background includes working in diverse settings such as outpatient community mental health clinics, psychiatric hospitals, and educational environments. I hold a Master of Social Work degree from SUNY Stony Brook and a post-graduate certificate from the NYU Silver School of Social Work.

I specialize in treating anxiety disorders and providing guidance during life transitions. My approach is compassionate, client-centered, and tailored to meet the unique needs of each individual I work with.

I have been practicing therapy for the past ten plus years, but let's be honest, I was born a therapist. I have had the opportunity to learn that we all grow together and are blessed to take this mysterious journey in our own unique way. I have lived and learned experience, as well as extensive education and training. I began my adult career as a police officer and then returned to college as an adult learner. I graduated from Keuka College with my BSW and Syracuse University with my MSW and an advanced certification in trauma. I have worked with all ages and population but primarily with addiction, trauma processing, and self-esteem issues.

At the end of the day, I am here to listen, guide, and help you learn the value of your own experiences. I specialize in trauma, addiction, depression, anxiety and mood disorders but I am also familiar with self-harm, self-image, and self-esteem issues. My goal is to help you recognize your worth, set goals, learn coping skills and strategize positive daily living. If you are ready to make moves for a better tomorrow, I am ready to help. I am trained in CBT, mindfulness, DBT, motivational interviewing, with advanced specialties in trauma informed care. Let's change the narrative on tomorrow. I look forward to connecting and working with you!

Are you ready to make a change in your life? It takes courage to ask for help, but the rewards of doing so can lead to a lifetime of fulfillment. I understand and have experienced the emotional challenges life has to offer. In working together, we will cultivate growth by understanding the obstacles that you face and develop solutions that can help you gain control of your life and achieve your goals.

I know well that starting therapy can feel formidable and thoroughly overwhelming, and on occasion, the absolute hardest step of all is merely beginning. In spite of that, you are here, and you are actively setting out on your personal journey to heal and reconstruct. I warmly invite the opportunity to communicate with you and learn how I might best help you. My professional style is kind, deeply empathetic, and shared.

I'm a Licensed Mental Health Counselor (LMHC) with over five years of experience providing trauma-informed care and short-term therapy. I specialize in supporting frontline workers, helping professionals, and caregivers who are experiencing burnout, compassion fatigue, vicarious trauma, and work-life stress. My approach is collaborative, compassionate, and grounded in the belief that healing begins in a space where you feel seen, heard, and understood.

Clients often describe me as warm, thoughtful, and direct. I aim to create a space where you feel understood and supported, while also gently challenged to grow. I believe therapy should feel collaborative, not judgmental, not passive, and not surface-level.

Starting therapy requires courage and strength even when we are in pain or dissatisfied with the way things are. It is difficult to open up to a stranger, to change the familiar ways of dealing with life and people. That is why I believe in providing a safe, nonjudgmental environment, where we will look at recurrent patterns in your life (for example why do you choose "the same type" of partners or feel so lonely or anxious, why do you often have the "same conflicts" with your bosses or friends) and gain insight into unconscious motivations of your behavior.

I specialize in behavioral excess (misuse of substances, sex and food) and mood disorders (anxiety, depression). Because of my belief in personal freedom I try to provide accepting and safe environment where we can talk about you and your life openly.

I am bilingual (Russian/English)and have extensive training in psycholinguistics.