Book a therapist or psychiatrist in Scarsdale, NY covered by Aetna

Life begins when you know who you are. But the path to self-knowledge can be fraught and hard to find. “Be yourself,” “create yourself,” “find yourself”–these are some of the injunctions that might waylay any earnest seeker. When we learn to sit with the uncomfortable parts of self–the parts that make us want to crawl out of our skin–revelation can occur.

Talk therapy can be a place to learn how to be interested in ourselves and in our past. When we learn to love ourselves the way we wish to be loved, our relationships can flourish. We can deepen our genuine interest in others. When it works, psychotherapy can inspire incredible capacity and resolve to bend towards the future and embrace change

As a License Clinical Social Worker, I am dedicated to helping adults navigate emotional issues, life challenges, anxiety and more. I bring compassionate client-centered approach, to provide a safe and supportive environment where individuals feel comfortable to share their story and be heard in an effort to help them build resilience and allow them to take the risk to invest in their ability to grow and make changes that lead to a more positive sense of self.

I am a licensed clinical and forensic psychologist in New York State, with more than 30 years of experience in mental health, psychological assessment, trauma recovery, and public safety wellness. Born in the Bronx and raised in Queens, New York, I developed a deep appreciation for the resilience, diversity, and strengths of the communities I have served throughout my career.

My approach to therapy is integrative, trauma-informed, evidence-based, and person-centered. I believe effective treatment begins with understanding the whole person—not simply their symptoms. Drawing from Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT), mindfulness-based interventions, and insight-oriented approaches, I work collaboratively with clients to develop greater self-awareness, strengthen coping skills, improve emotional regulation, and create meaningful and lasting change.

I strive to provide a safe, respectful, and supportive environment where clients feel comfortable discussing their concerns openly and honestly.

Whether someone is seeking help for anxiety, depression, trauma, stress, life transitions, relationship difficulties, occupational challenges, or personal growth, my goal is to help them build resilience, enhance well-being, and develop a greater sense of purpose, meaning, and fulfillment in their lives.

I believe prioritizing mental health is key to stability in life. I know there is a better world out there and people need the tools to connect with their upmost insight for mental well being. In this field I am always eager to research and find healing processes to tailor the need of each individual.

I am a licensed clinical psychologist with over 15 years of experience helping adults and adolescents navigate emotional challenges, relationship difficulties, life transitions, and periods of feeling stuck or overwhelmed. I earned my PhD in Clinical Psychology from The New School and completed my undergraduate studies in Psychology at Barnard College. My clinical training included work at several major New York City hospitals and psychiatric facilities, including Coney Island Hospital, Harlem Hospital, South Beach Psychiatric Center, and Beth Israel Center for Clinical Training and Research, where I worked with individuals facing a wide range of psychological and emotional concerns.

In addition to my clinical work, I am the founder and Clinical Director of a private practice, where I supervise and mentor a diverse team of psychotherapists. My background also includes years of experience in education, community programming, and psychological research, which has shaped my sensitivity to the ways culture, family systems, identity, achievement, and environment impact emotional wellbeing.

I aim to create a safe, non-judgmental space for self-exploration, discovery, and healing. By utilizing unconditional positive acceptance, my goal is to help clients add to their social and emotional knowledge so they can navigate through difficulties in ways that foster self-esteem, well-being, and growth.

Hi, I’m Yitzchok Wagshul. One day, my young grandson asked me what kind of doctor I am. I’m a clinical psychologist, so I replied, “I’m the kind of doctor who helps sad people feel happy.” He looked at me and said, “Zaidy,” (that’s “Grandpa” in Yiddish) "that’s not being a doctor, that’s just being nice!” That’s a cute story, but I want to tell you something: the better part of therapy is “being nice.” I know a lot of psychology. But if I didn’t respect each person I work with, if I didn’t view them with complete acceptance and unconditional positive regard, all of that would be worthless, because no one would listen to me.