Hello and thank you for visiting my website. I’m a licensed psychotherapist with 30 years of experience treating a variety of psychological issues from life transitions to childhood trauma. I help individuals and couples understand and work through the issues that may be interfering with their quality of life.
I see therapy as a sacred partnership between client and therapist. I offer you a calm, safe, and collaborative space where we can address what may be causing you distress. The experience and the reason you’re seeking therapy is different for each of us. I will meet you where you are and help you find a pathway to change.
I work best with clients who want to take an active part in their healing and view the therapy process as a journey of self-discovery and relational growth.
I have devoted my life both professionally and personally to understanding what it takes to achieve healthy integration and wholeness. Though therapy can confront us with experiences of ourselves that hold confusion, sadness or pain, many of my clients come to see therapy as a doorway to deeper meaning and the lens through which they can find more clarity, confidence and fulfillment. My clients also report feeling less reactive and more flexible in meeting life’s challenges.
My conceptual lens is psychodynamic and relational, and I have a warm, caring, and engaging style. I offer a variety of therapeutic modalities including interpersonal, EMDR, cognitive-behavioral, mindfulness, and addiction recovery through the 12 step model.
My 25 years of advanced training working with couples and in the relational therapies has strengthened my belief in the importance of secure attachment and healthy connections. My work with couples includes teaching new skills, improving communication patterns, healing ruptures, and expanding abilities to stay in healthy connection. My approach has been informed by my training in Imago Therapy, Relational Life Therapy, and attachment-based approaches. I have participated in and co-led many couples retreats and workshops on these topics.
As a certified EMDR therapist I help my clients heal past traumas. I have great respect for and advanced training in cutting-edge mind body therapies that incorporate both the brain as well as the nervous system to address presenting issues. This also includes somatic approaches, attachment based work, strength based resourcing and mindfulness approaches. These trainings qualify me to address more complex traumas and are also effective in strengthening clients healthier traits.
- Hunter College, Phi Beta Kappa
- Masters degree in Clinical Social Work from NYU
- Institute For Contemporary Psychotherapy -2 years post graduate certificate
- EMDRIA certified therapist
- Certified RLT-Relational Life Therapist
- Couples Workshop Trainer and Educator
- Teacher of health and wellness
- 30 year yoga practice
- Hudson Valley Guild
- EMDR International Association (EMDRIA)
- Real Life Therapy
- Practicing Psychotherapist for 30 Years
- Clinical Director of Managed Health Network (EAP)
- American Express Therapist-EAP
- Health and Wellness Workshop Consultant for Fortune 500 Companies
Iris Avishai Cohen, LCSW-R 