Family therapy and counseling in Yonkers, NY

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.

What I want clients to know about me is that I am not the kind of therapist who will just sit back, nod, and ask, “How does that make you feel?” I am warm, honest, direct, and very involved in the work we do together.

My strongest area of work is relationship and family dynamics. I help individuals, couples, and families understand the patterns that create conflict, distance, resentment, poor communication, and emotional disconnection. Many of my clients come to me feeling unheard, disrespected, emotionally exhausted, or unsure of how to move forward in an important relationship.

I also work with people who grew up in difficult or dysfunctional family environments and are now recognizing how those experiences may still be affecting their boundaries, relationships, parenting, self-worth, and emotional responses. I help clients understand not only what is happening, but how the pattern developed and what they can begin doing differently.

I believe insight is important, but insight alone is not enough. I want therapy to help you connect the dots and develop practical ways to communicate, set boundaries, manage conflict, and respond differently. I will support you, but I will also challenge you when I believe you are minimizing your needs, repeating unhealthy patterns, or avoiding something important.

I am not here to judge you, label the people in your life, or tell you what decisions to make. My role is to help you see things more clearly, understand what is within your control, and feel more confident in how you choose to move forward.

In addition to relationship and family concerns, I also work with anxiety, ADHD, emotional overwhelm, life transitions, and the impact these challenges can have on everyday functioning and relationships.

As a Licensed Mental Health Therapist, I am a firm believer in the importance of taking care of your mental health. I have worked with individuals, families, and groups of all ages, supporting clients through concerns such as anxiety, depression, grief, trauma, identity exploration, and life transitions.

Psychoanalytic therapy is often maligned but it remains for me one of the few treatments that seeks to address the innermost, often hidden, parts of ourselves. Psychological symptoms are not only a source of suffering, they are also a message that speaks to desires, conflicts, and pain that comes alive when spoken to a professional listener. The flip-side of anxiety is always a passionate dream that has not been encountered as such. The intimacy of speaking and listening is rare and a gift.

What if improving your relationships isn’t starting together, but starting with you? As a Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT), I work with individuals who are curious about their relationship patterns and ready to create meaningful change from the inside out. You may feel stuck in recurring dynamics, find yourself questioning how your family background shapes your relationships, or want to communicate more effectively. Together, we create a space to gain clarity, better understand what’s driving these patterns, and begin making intentional shifts toward healthier, more balanced relationships.

It can be hard to recognize when you need to turn to someone else for help. Sometimes having a trusted person outside your family & friends can offer clarity and help during difficult situations. I work with my clients to identify what is making them feel "stuck" or overwhelmed and put them back on the path of feeling empowered, grounded and hopeful. By exploring your thoughts & feelings, we will be able to move you forward and help you to find the support you need and find happiness in the moment.

During this unique time, I am also offering short term support to individuals in quarantine, especially students on college campuses

I am a Double Board-Certified nurse practitioner specializing in psychiatric mental health and family health. As a dedicated psychiatric nurse practitioner, I use an integrative and holistic approach to mental health. As a family nurse practitioner, I take into consideration how physical health impacts mood and relationships. I employ evidence-based medication management. Together, we can pinpoint what's causing you stress and navigate towards a balanced state. I employ brief supportive psychotherapy in every session to help patients manage their emotions, particularly those dealing with chronic illnesses or experiencing high levels of stress. By offering empathy and validation, I aim to strengthen coping mechanisms, boost resilience, and enhance overall mental well-being.

Gila Schwartz is a therapist located on Long Island, NY. A psychologist focuses on the evaluation, prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of mental, emotional and behavioral health issues. A clinical psychologist uses psychotherapy and other counseling skills to improve emotional and mental health.

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.

Therapy is a collaborative process, and a strong therapeutic relationship is key to meaningful progress and lasting change. My approach is grounded in a strengths-based, client-centered perspective that supports each person’s capacity for growth and self-understanding. I strive to create a supportive, compassionate, and nonjudgmental space where you can openly explore your thoughts, emotions, and experiences at a pace that feels comfortable for you. Whether you are navigating life transitions, managing stress, or seeking greater self-awareness, therapy can provide a space for reflection, healing, and meaningful change.