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Leslie M. Goldstein, LCSW, BCD
Address:
180 West End Avenue, Suite 1A
New York, N.Y. 10023
Phone Numbers:
(212) 362-8626
E-mail:
Modes of Treatment:
Individual therapy; Couples therapy; Supervision
Age Range of Patients:
18 years and older
Insurance Accepted:
Out-of-network for all plans
Fee Range:
Sliding scale
Specializations:
Anxiety and Panic Attacks, Career and Work Concerns, Caregiver Stress, Depression, Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual and Transgender Issues, Grief, Separation and Mourning, Health Issues, Interpersonal Issues, Men’s Issues, Separation and Divorce, Sexual Abuse, Trauma and Post-Traumatic Stress, Women’s Issues
Therapeutic Modalities:
Psychodynamic Psychotherapy, Psychoanalysis, Family Systems Therapy.
Additional Certification or Specialized Training:
Psychoanalytic psychotherapy, Psychoanalysis and Couples therapy training at the Institute for Contemporary Psychotherapy; Board Certified Diplomate in Clinical Social Work
Memberships:
American Association for Psychoanalysis in Social Work; National Association of Social Workers; NYS Society of Clinical Social Work Psychotherapists; Faculty and supervisor, Institute for Contemporary Psychotherapy; Supervisor, Psychoanalytic Psychotherapy Study Center.
Personal Statement:
When I think about what an individual or couple needs from a therapist, it's a listener who hears what is missing in their story - what they haven't thought of, what questions they haven't asked, with the goal of expanding their internal or interpersonal dialogue. With this in mind, I add my ear, particularly paying attention to what emotions or thoughts might be present, but are just out of awareness. You need me to empathically inquire, to offer new perspectives and to stimulate self-examination that opens pathways to new ways of thinking, feeling and communicating.
Our relationship is key for therapy to be successful. I take a non-judgmental approach and engage in collaborative dialogue with my patients. I want to understand my patients, to know what it is like to walk in their shoes. My empathy is essential in how I listen, ask questions and how I frame the perspectives I offer. I am also open to an exchange about how the work is proceeding.
I encourage looking at both the here-and-now and one's life history, as this emerges in an organic manner. I do believe that our past lives in current behavior, as the basis for our strengths, but it can also create blind spots or repeat traumatic experience. In approaching these areas (if my patient wants to do so), I see my job as discovering ways to change in the context of a safe environment.
I am an interactional therapist who adjusts my participation to each patient's or couple's needs. The nature of the problem, degree of comfort with self-disclosure, newness to therapy and more will all influence my approach.
I have found that there are some common goals that frequently emerge in my work:
• Being able to better communicate with others, including resolving conflict
• Learning how to make life decisions and address what gets in the way
• Learning to be more assertive or less reactive in relationships
• Being able to negotiate depression or anxiety
• Resolving loss
• Better knowing oneself
My goal is to ever expand my patients' perspectives and ways of being in the world, and thus, achieve greater satisfaction in their lives, to be able to both experience joy and to feel strength in handling life's stresses.
In addition to my 30 years of experience working with diverse patients, I have served as teacher and supervisor in schools of Social Work and Psychoanalytic Training Institutes.
Office Location:
Upper West Side, Manhattan