Laurie Sloane   Licensed Clinical Social Worker

psychotherapist-nyc-college-children-young-adults-veterans-counseling-1Over the past 30 years, a combination of diverse professional experiences and extensive training have made me the therapist I am today. In addition to a Master’s Degree in Social Work, I have participated in continuing education courses and seminars to ensure that I am incorporating the latest in psychoanalysis into treatment plans.

I joined the faculty of the Psychoanalytic Psychotherapy Study Center (PPSC), a post-graduate training institute, and served as the Executive Director for 10 years. During my tenure, I taught and supervised candidates, developed an internship program for graduate students, and worked to establish guidelines for training and licensure in New York.  My expertise is broad and far-reaching.

 

Current Areas of Specialty

Therapy for Young Adults

Of late, more attention has been focused on the well-being of anxious, depressed and suicidal students on college campuses. I have worked with many students trying to adjust to life away from home. The social and academic pressures of college can bring about the emergence of major mental illness and addiction that needs to be addressed with the proper treatment. In addition to individual sessions, I also offer group treatment to college students and young adults.

Therapy for Women of All Ages

I have extensive experience in counseling women of all ages who suffer from eating disorders. Today, there are a variety of treatments available; I’m able to help navigate through the options and figure out which will work best on a case by case basis.

As baby boomers are aging, they are learning that menopause no longer spells the end. Life after 65 continues to be an important, yet often overlooked part of adult development. I’m able to offer support in either individual or group therapy sessions for women navigating midlife and beyond.

Therapy for Veterans

I am affiliated with Here to Help Military and Families, a Long Island group that offers free counseling to returning veterans and their families. I offer a holistic approach to treatment; for both veterans returning from combat, suffering from the effects of trauma and PTSD, as well as their families, who are struggling to understand how difficult reentry into civilian life can be.

What Can You Gain from Therapy?

Connection to others

Over the past 30 years, I’ve learned a lot about relationships and the value in sharing our thoughts and feelings with friends and partners. Knowing we are being listened to, valued and understood is crucial to emotional wellbeing.

Hope for the future

Therapy is a process. Though there is often no simple, quick solution, it provides a safe space to explore emotions, thoughts, and actions in an in-depth and meaningful way, to eventually bring about change.

Growth and change

Through continued treatment, therapy can be an incredibly powerful tool in helping to significantly improve your quality of life and outlook.

Call me today at 212-413-7088 for a free 15 minute phone consultation.

Support Group for Midlife Women 50-70 Forming Now

I will be conducting a weekly midlife support group for women 50-70 now and throughout the winter. We will be meeting virtually in the afternoon or evenings depending on everyone’s schedules.

Life changes as women head towards menopause and beyond. These changes are reflected in body and mood fluctuations as well as accompanying shifts in lifestyles and goals for the future. In a safe and supportive atmosphere, women will be able to share their emotional and physical upheaval and develop their unique plan for midlife and beyond.

If you’d like to discuss this further, please feel to reach out to me.

Laurie Sloane
516-697-7252
laurie.sloane@gmail.com

Category Archives: Work Stress

How to Prepare For a Visit to the Psychotherapist

Do you think you’re lonely? Is it difficult for you to get out of bed in the morning? Are you losing your appetite and can’t explain why? If these questions make you ponder over how your quality of life is being affected, then therapy might just be what you need.  It is a nourishing process that cleanses both your body and mind.

A psychotherapist is a person trained to deal with a variety of issues like anxiety, anger, depression, etc. His job is to help you feel better and fully understand yourself. In order to ease your treatment, here are a few ways through which you can master a perfect session with your therapist.

Know your therapist:

With ever-growing competition in job markets, new therapists are coming in every year. Everyone wants the best of course! Hence, be fully aware of your therapist’s background information. What qualifications does he have? Do his previous patients recommend him? Is he friendly? Are there any complaints against him? Does he have a certified degree? Has there ever been any type of legal action against him? These questions play a huge role in deciding which psychotherapist to go to, and are arguably the most important part of the process.

Required documents:

Therapy itself is a simple process. However, the documentation can sometimes be a little complicated. Every clinic provides a number of forms that need to be filled in by the patients. The paperwork may include details such as medications that you are currently taking or have been taking in the past, family back ground, profession, physical health or hospital history. Create a file with all the required documents to ensure you are organized and prepared.

Prepare notes:

Visiting a therapist for the first time can be pretty overwhelming. It is a huge possibility that your nervousness causes you to forget extremely important points that you planned to discuss. Therefore, make small notes with pointers that you would like to elaborate on. Mention any life experiences, habits or stories that will improve your case. This will not only encourage you to speak up, but it will also help the therapist to acknowledge your efforts.

Ask questions:

Just like your therapist bombards you with a series of questions, you have the right to do so too. Your psychotherapist is a professional who has great experience in his field. Be it something as small as the clock not working in his office or as big as the book he’s given you to read, ask him anything you feel anxious about. He will be more than pleased to answer. Your aim is to clear your mind of the chaos inside it, not give rise to more anarchy.

Be informed financially:

To avoid any financial disagreements or issues, know the procedure beforehand. Have a talk with your therapist before your session to know the methods of payment and whether it is in your budget or not. Also, check with the clinic; whether they accept insurance or not and stay in contact with the insurance company throughout. For evidence, ask for a slip or receipt to keep a record.

Psychotherapists can help you recover from depression, anxiety and a variety of other mental ailments. So contact us today to schedule an appointment with the best Psychotherapist in NYC.

Contact us at 212-413-7088 to schedule a consultation.

4 Signs You Need To See a Psychotherapist

Depression and stress are two major psychological conditions that can influence your mental as well as your physical well-being. Despair and hopelessness can have a highly harmful effect on not just your psyche, but will also eat away from within you – you will start losing hope, you will start gaining weight and you might have to depend on certain medications. Hence, it is extremely important for anyone who is experiencing any sort of psychological weakness to see a professional.

A survey suggests that 1 out of 5 people in the US suffer from a variety of mental ailments. However, only 45%-60% of people with moderate to severe mental afflictions are undergoing treatment. This indifference to your mental stability adversely affects various every aspect of your life – from family life to workplace enthusiasm.

We strongly recommend that you see an expert if you are feeling low, because professional help will not just enable you to get back to normal, but it can make you psychologically more stable than you were prior to your ailment.

Here are 5 of the most important symptoms that indicate you should consult a psychotherapist regarding your mental health.

A traumatic experience:

Human beings are social animals. We feel. Losing someone we love, being in a near death experience or being sacked from a job you have worked extremely hard for can leave a hole inside you, which needs to be filled. If you have lived through a distressful event, you should consider going to a therapist to reinstate stability in your mental well-being.

Relationships are becoming stressed:

There might come a point in your life where you feel disconnected with your friends and family. If you’re sitting in a group and you’re feeling uncomfortable, there is definitely a problem. Try finding a solution to this dilemma by attending programs like family therapy and group therapy, or simply visit a psychotherapist to understand what is wrong.

Not feeling yourself?

The most common form of depression comes with an identity crisis. Ask yourself how you’re feeling. Are you feeling angry all the time? Do you have sudden bursts of rage? Do you go into a state of sadness and contemplate your role in life? If you do, there is a dire need for you call your therapist and schedule a session with him.

Substance abuse:

If you are taking drugs to find an escape, stop! Intoxicating yourself is not the right way. Academic stress, peer pressure and workload may cause you to be stressed out, which, in many cases, lead to substance abuse to cope with the anxiety. If you find yourself in a situation where you have started using drugs to cope with pressure, organize a visit with your psychotherapist so that he can help you get back to normal.

Going to a psychotherapist is the best way to improve your mental health. Contact us today to schedule an appointment with the best Psychotherapist in NYC.

Contact us at 212-413-7088 to schedule a consultation.

4 Ways You Can Benefit from Psychotherapy

As the amount of work increases and more and more people aspire for higher goals, one has to take into consideration the amount of stress related to it. Stress is one of the main reasons for emotional instability. Other reasons include depression, anger and grief. All of these continuously hit us throughout our life and there is only so much one can take.

That is the reason why psychotherapy is essential for healthier living. You have to understand that emotional health is as important as physical health and that focusing on only one can never solve your problems. People always need someone to talk to. We are social animals after all and finding someone to confine our problems with leads to a healthier mind and emotional balance.

Visiting a therapist once a week can benefit you in many ways. You should try discussing your personal problems with your therapist even if the problem is miniscule. Here are 4 ways you can benefit from psychotherapy.

1.    You learn to handle emotions well:

The current generation is known to be more sensitive to a lot of different aspects in life. The slightest negativity can have lasting impacts on a person. What psychotherapy does is that it shows you how you look in front of other people when you act the way you do. This way you learn to control your emotions and build some walls to block the negative aspects. Letting someone know of how you feel can also relieve you of stress and can induce happiness.

2.    Therapists keep you in line with your goals:

People usually over think matters that are related to life changing events and this can cause increased levels of stress, anxiety and nervousness. The person might even start doubting his decisions. Taking a psychotherapy session can lift the mental blocks you place on your mind and keep yourself in line with what matters to you the most whether it a new job, divorce or even selling your house.

3.    You can find your purpose in life:

Many people at times are unaware of what they are living for. They do not have any goals and neither do they admit to any specific passions or feelings – bottling everything inside. You might be stuck in life and do not even know about it. Once you start going to a therapist, you will start seeing the bigger picture. A therapist can help you find what you are good at and help you turn it into something you look forward to doing every day. This also helps build confidence and drive to be better.

4.    Therapists can help break a problem down:

There is no need to get confused over life problems anymore. A therapist can help you dissect problems to their very core. You can develop strategies to solve your complications and move on with your life. Therapists are trained professionals who give excellent advice. This advice can help you work through your problems effectively whether they are related to marriage, the loss of a loved one or even a break up.

Contact us at 212-413-7088 to schedule a consultation.

Can Cognitive Behavior Therapy Improve Quality of Life?

Finding a way to get through the day may be hard. If you suffer from an addiction, mood disorder, anxiety disorder, or other types of mental health problem, you may be focused on just getting through the day. You may struggle with your thoughts every day. You may find it hard to get up in the morning or impossible to see anything good from one day to the next. It feels like a never-ending cycle of worry, stress, and frustration. Is there anything that can help? For some people, cognitive behavior therapy can be that type of treatment you need.

What Is Cognitive Behavior Therapy?

Individuals who seek out the help of their psychotherapist may learn that they can benefit from cognitive behavior therapy. This type of therapy allows an individual to learn more about what they are feeling and why they may be feeling it. This type of treatment helps people to better identify the unhealthy and negative emotions, thoughts, actions, and behaviors they have. It allows individuals to then replace those thoughts, actions, and behaviors with better, healthier options.

How can this help you on a day to day basis?

In short, you may recognize that your thoughts lead to the actions you have. For example, if you struggle from anxiety, you may find that once that first thought comes through your mind that it begins to race, adding bigger worries and complications throughout the day. It snowballs quickly. If you’ve learned how to deal with it through cognitive behavior therapy, on the other hand, you may not have this occur. You’ll learn how to recognize when your thoughts are irrational and then how to make changes to them to stop them from worsening.

This type of therapy can be highly effective in treating many types of mental health disorders. It can help you to see significant improvement to your quality of life because it gives you the ability to control the thoughts and actions you have. You learn how to stop it so you gain better control and, in the long term, better results.

If you want to find out if cognitive behavior therapy can help you, your first step is to schedule a consultation with one of the best psychotherapists in New York by calling our offices. You may be able to see a better future for yourself sooner than you think.

Contact me to schedule a free consultation at 212-413-7088.

Therapist for Job Stress? Need Some Help?

Employment can be one of the most challenging areas of your life. You may have a job, but you dread going to it. You may need a new career path but don’t know where to go or how to get there. Most people go through challenges throughout their career. Good and bad times can lead to transitions, differences in opinions, job loss, and even situations where you just cannot see how things are going to work out.

No matter where you are right now, you can work with a therapist to learn more about your options.

Why a Therapist?

How can a therapist actually help you with job stress? It may not seem like a simple solution. After all, how can anyone know how annoyed, overwhelmed, and frustrated you are in your environment? A therapist can help you.

  • Do you want to remain in your job but overcome challenges there? To do this, you need to first address what the underlying problems are and often this is not what it may initially seem. You need to learn how to deal with stress on the job so you can remain there.
  • Are you frustrated with the people that you work with or for? You may not think you have options at the office, but you do. You can talk to your therapist about how to approach these communication issues. And, talk about the way you feel. Learn how you can express your problems to those who should be able to help you.
  • Perhaps it is really time to make that big decision about leaving and moving on. Your therapist can help you to see this and help you to create a plan to make it happen.
  • Dealing with other people on the job may come down to improving your communication skills. Let a therapist help you to do that.
  • Therapists can also help you to see your own self-worth when you may not feel it otherwise.

No matter what is behind the stress you feel on the job, realize that it is impacting you more than you realize. Stress, especially stress that is chronic, can create health consequences. And, this can impact your quality of life. The only step you have to take is to work with a therapist to learn about your options and how to improve what you are facing at work.

Contact me to schedule a free consultation on Job Stress at 212-413-7088.

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