Individual Therapy and Counseling NYC

The decision to start Individual Therapy in NYC is a big step that can be both liberating and frightening. If this is your first time, you may be afraid of the unknown or feel a sense of failure for being unable to “solve your own problems”. If you have had previous experience with therapy and it was unsuccessful or if you had mixed results, you may feel ambivalent about seeing a new therapist. It is important to realize that these feelings are very common and understandable, and we can address your concerns as we begin.

If you have found that you are repeating the same negative patterns, that you are unable to achieve goals you have set for yourself, are in a constant pattern of broken or negative relationships, if you’re unable to recover from or move past trauma, or if you are simply feeling lonely, depressed, angry, stressed or anxious, this is a great time to recognize that you may benefit greatly from seeking individual counseling.

What is Individual Therapy?

Individual therapy is therapy with one client present rather than a couple or a family. Even though relationships or work environment may be themes of therapy, the focus is on the individual and his/her personal experience.

For many people hearing themselves talk out loud in the presence of another person can be very healing in itself. In our lives today, having 100% attention from another human being is rare. But therapy is much more. The “other” is a trained professional, who, depending on specific training and lens, hears and makes sense of the information in a very different way then a friend or a relative. As therapists, we look for patterns, triggers, connection between past and present experience, conscious and unconscious processes, body-mind connection, psychoeducation, etc.

There can be some challenges to individual therapy process. Many people feel uncomfortable talking about themselves, in very personal way to a stranger. So there needs to be an atmosphere of safety and for some, who were betrayed, deceived or traumatized this is challenging. Some people simply do not know HOW to put their internal experience into words. Rather than struggle and get better at it, they will end therapy. Sometimes, painful places are touched in therapy sessions, and the client will come up with excuses and drop out. Sometimes there is a bad fit between client and therapist which will interfere with therapy. This is to name some of the big causes that can be obstacles or challenges in Individual therapy.

The therapy field is very rich with different modalities and approaches. I look at most psychological issues from a trauma lens. There are different kinds of trauma and different levels of severity. I am trained in EMDR and I usually use it or some form of it in my sessions with individual clients.

Benefits of Individual Therapy

My clients come to me with different issues, but I see most human suffering as being a result of an attachment injury with other important people. These injuries, like betrayal, rejection, neglect, emotional and physical abuse, disappointment, loss, physical injuries get absorbed and processed in different ways for people. The heart, body and mind get stuck some way in the trauma of these events. The benefits of Individual therapy are many:

• Learn to understand yourself and your tendencies which impact your daily functioning and relationships with significant others
• Learn to have a deeper connection to yourself and others
• Identify root causes of depression, anxiety and stress and ways to cope and manage better
• Understand and learn about other interventions that can help you deal with your symptoms
• Address and understand root causes of all your pain and difficulties
• Learn to reduce stress and conflict in interpersonal relationships and your work life
• Heal from individual or family related traumas and struggles
• Improve the quality of your life and your mental and emotional well-being
• Improve your level of confidence and self-esteem in all you do
• Move towards a healthier, more productive and less painful life

What is the Therapist’s Role in Individual Therapy?

Unlike other treatment models, therapy does not work unless the process is collaborative, it can not work if the client is not fully involved, doing his/her part. The therapist needs to be able to understand the client and his/her specific issues, needs to understand client’s internal processes, and has to have a non-judgmental, supportive and curious  stance.

Individual therapy is only as good as the relationship between therapist and client, and, of course, the training of the therapist and a good fit. The client’s engagement in the process, ability and willingness to reveal his/her inner experience is crucial to the success of therapy. The client has to be open to change, to introspection, awareness of feelings that are felt, willingness to be vulnerable.

What to Expect During Individual Therapy in NYC – My Approach

In the first few sessions we will begin by getting to know each other, exploring what brings you to therapy at this particular time and creating a safe space for you to discuss your feelings, emotions and needs. I will ask you questions so I can understand your history, as well as the history of current difficulties, so we can discover the root causes of what is causing your pain and where you may be stuck.

I will work with you to recognize and make appropriate choices rather than rely upon defensive mechanisms and walls you have put in place to protect yourself and help you at the present time. These old defenses or coping mechanisms prevent you from learning how to identify and express your feelings and begin to heal. Counseling for individuals is a collaboration which evolves at individual pace, in an atmosphere of safety, trust, connection and collaboration.

Much of our work together will involve an examination of important past and present relationships and their effect on your character formation, your views of yourself and the world, your coping mechanisms and self-esteem. My experience over many years of practice, has taught me that the deepest causes of pain are often related to or caused by disruptions in intimacy (trauma), separations, abandonments, instabilities and attachment injuries throughout life.

My view is that all pain is trauma based, whether it was catastrophic traumas or more ordinary traumatic incidents. I do EMDR Therapy (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) with most of my individual patients as I find it to be most effective and efficient way of clearing many symptoms and difficulties. My other approaches to individual therapy and counseling are based in Psychodynamic Therapy, as well as Mindfulness based therapies.

Reasons To Start Individual Therapy

Don’t just wait to “feel better”. If you experience any of these symptoms or problems, Individual Therapy will be helpful to you:

• Sadness, depression
• Fear, anxiety, panic
• Difficulties with relationships
• Stress and or conflict at home or work
• Going through a difficult transition
• Feeling badly about your life situation
• Abusing food, alcohol or drugs to help cope
• Isolation, inability or unwillingness to talk to family or friends
• Spending more and more time in front of a computer and internet addiction
• Codependency
• Stress management
• Grief and loss
• Self-esteem and confidence
• Life coaching
• Career counseling
• Coping skills
• Hoarding
• Sexual and Romantic issues
• Unresolved past or ongoing trauma
• Substance and alcohol abuse or dependency

As we work together in individual therapy sessions, you will learn how to grow and identify unhealthy responses and habits you may have developed and become aware of choices and be able to be in the present rather than in the past. Therapy is proven to be effective and often has longer lasting results than medication. Every individual’s journey with therapy will differ and every person who comes into my office has unique situations, needs, issues and concerns. Together we will work together to help you find yourself feeling fulfilled, happy and healed from past traumas.

Make An Appointment Today!

Call 212-953-1388 today or email irinafirstein@aol.com to make an appointment with the best individual therapist in NYC – Irina Firstein, LCSW. I am especially accessible to clients looking for the best individual therapist in Manhattan and in all other areas of New York City. I see many clients who live in the Upper East Side as well as in the Midtown and Downtown areas. Because I offer both in-person and online therapy options, I can work with you from virtually any location in the area.

Client Testimonials

“I went to see Irina Firstein. I was going through a very difficult time in my life. She was extremely helpful and immediately understood my situation. I highly recommend her.” – Peter

“Irina has been a crucial pillar of my support system and I very much appreciate her insight and observations, which help me greatly as I navigate this next chapter of my life.” – Ann D.

“Irina is a very skilled counselor. She is very perceptive and provided me insight into the relationship issues with which I was handling. She then gave me suggested responses which have been most helpful. I recommend her without reservation.” – Shari W.

“I have been seeing Irina for quite some time I can honestly say she has saved me! She is very straightforward and tells me what I need to hear (even if it’s not what I wanted to hear haha). She is intelligent, honest, and truly insightful and I have no idea where I’d be without her. Thank you Irina!!!” – Misha R.

“I was referred to Irina after being terribly depressed over my divorce proceedings. I was afraid of losing my children, and petrified. I needed help. I cannot thank Irina enough for getting me through my tough situation. I will always think of you Irina as you helped me through this difficult time in my life.” – Emily R.

“Irina is a very confident and experienced therapist. She listens intently and helps you to sort your thoughts, but is not afraid to state her opinion and point you in the right direction. A book that she recommended I read was the best self-help book I have ever read (and I have read many) and helped me to change my energy and enjoy my life. I believe she helped me to attract and keep the right guys. When I went to her a couple years ago I was single and now I have been in a wonderful relationship for a year.” – Alena G.

“I am an individual therapist who has referred many couples for couples therapy to Irina. I believe she is amongst the top therapists in NYC.  She is very well trained, extremely experienced and she tailors her treatment approach to each client’s needs.  My clients have told me that Irina makes them feel comfortable and safe from the get go. She is my “go to” couples therapist!” – Keira C.

Frequently Asked Questions About Individual Therapy in NYC

Will therapy make me feel better immediately?

Therapy does not typically make people feel better immediately. Sometimes there is a sense of feeling good or better after the first session. This is usually because there is a sense of relief at taking an important step towards health and self-care. Also, sometimes, there is a sense of hope that stems from doing something different especially if this makes sense.

Therapy takes time and truly profound changes don’t happen right away.

Is medication a substitute for therapy?

Medication is not a substitute for therapy but, rather, an adjunct to therapy. Medication addresses symptoms of the problem but not the underlying psychological reasons and dynamics.

Can individual therapy be used in conjunction with medication?

Yes, this is often the plan. Sometimes only therapy or only medication would not be enough. Many presenting problems people come to therapy with have some “chemical” component which needs medication as well as more psychological underlying factors which Individual Therapy deals with best.

How long does therapy typically last?

There is no set time that Individual Therapy will last. It depends on the individual client, his/her ability to communicate, be open to introspection and feedback and use new knowledge gained in therapy sessions

How often will I need to attend therapy sessions?

It depends on individual therapists, but I always start with weekly sessions. Later when there is solid progress, may move to every other week.

How long are therapy sessions?

My individual sessions are 45 minutes but if a client requests, will also do a full hour.

Are therapy sessions confidential?

All therapy is confidential. Any time any information is disclosed, written consent needs to be implemented and signed, stating exactly what information and to whom it is to be disclosed and well as for what purpose. The only time the information is not confidential is when there is a threat to self or other.

How will I know therapy is working?

You will know therapy is working when you feel better, have more awareness are able of yourself and those in your life, are more flexible in your choices and responses, able to feel more fully present, overall improved functioning.

What if I don’t feel like I am making progress?

If you don’t feel you are making progress, you need to bring this up to your therapist. Something is not working, or you are stuck somewhere. There are many reasons why this can happen. It can be a bad fit between you and therapist or the modality that is being used is not the best one for your specific issues.

What happens after I finish individual therapy?

After you finish you hopefully live a better life. Most therapists have an open-door policy, so now you have a resource to go to if need be.

How much does individual therapy cost?

My sessions are $250 for 45 minutes and $310 for a full hour.

Do you offer online therapy sessions?

Yes, I offer online therapy and it works very well.

When are therapy sessions scheduled?

I see clients Mondays through Fridays. I have morning, day and evenings.

How do I schedule an appointment?

Please call my office at (212) 953-1388 or for faster response please email me at mailto:mirinafirstein@aol.com.