Laura B. Kestemberg (she/her/hers)

My career in mental health as a licensed psychologist spans more than 25 years and includes various professional roles which include running my private practice, working as a university professor, and at different points, as a clinician, clinical supervisor or director in various NYC hospitals, schools, and community clinics. My professional background of direct service, scholarly work, and teaching at the graduate and doctoral level has given me a well-rounded perspective when working alongside my patients. I feel fortunate that due to my training I can provide the most effective, cutting edge, and evidence-based techniques to my patients. I work hard to empower individuals to effectively reach their goals and gain insight into what is most concerning them. On a personal level, I am multilingual and multicultural, and I often work with clients who are navigating the intersections of their various identities related to their family of origin, culture, and religion, as well as their race, gender and sexual identity. My style is warm, down-to-earth, direct and interactive. I work with children, adolescents, and adults of all ages, either in person or through virtual sessions. I work with couples as well as individuals. help my patients with a variety of concerns, including understanding and alleviating their symptoms of anxiety, depression and various mood disorders, and improving their relationships with romantic partners, family members, friends or co-workers. I work with women at various life transition stages, and with children, adolescents and adults dealing with OCD, trichotillomania, and trauma. I have doctoral and post-doctoral training in neuropsychology, and I have worked with patients and their caretakers dealing with the emotional, behavioral, and cognitive effects of TBI, dementia, and other cognitive disorders. I am bilingual and multicultural and work with Latinos and the Orthodox Jewish community. My career in higher education allows me to work very well with young adults dealing with academic and relationship stressors. The healing potential of the psychotherapeutic relationship is very powerful, and I care deeply about each individual that I have had the privilege to help. Each person's life story is unique, and I look forward to working together and hearing your narrative. My goal is to empower you to explore the chapters of your life story that you would like to understand better, change or improve. Subtle changes in your day-to-day habits, thoughts and approaches in life can significantly enhance your personal and professional relationships. The first step is recognizing that you want to make changes and then having the courage to do so.I draw from psychodynamic and psychoanalytic theory but will also implement cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), and use interpersonal, attachment based and mindfulness practices to fit your unique needs. I have training in Integrative approaches and EFT when working with couples. If you’d like to schedule an initial meeting and learn more about how I can best support you, please contact me or visit my website. I look forward to meeting with you.