Seeking help is an act of bravery, so kudos to you for coming to this site looking for it. It signifies strength and resilience. People say “life is hard” all the time, and they’re not wrong. The challenges in today’s politically tumultuous world are more difficult than they’ve been in a long time. For the individual who has trauma activations, anxiety, grief, or lives an alternative lifestyle, even acts of daily living can be overwhelming. Obviously, we can only do so much to change adverse circumstances beyond our control; the events of a tumultuous past, and/or a challenging present. However…
We can change how we think about things, question the perspectives that give power to negative thoughts and self-narratives, and how we react. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) does this and in so doing, gives power back to you. There’s no analysis, just empathetic conversation. Bad behaviors started out as coping mechanisms, and should be respected.
Note, this is a compassionate team effort, or a “therapeutic alliance.” I work very organically, do not diagnose, for I don’t want to treat the diagnosis in deference to helping the human in front of me. I don’t require a multi-session commitment, and I offer a lot of flexibility regarding schedule changes, cancellations due to “life crap” and certainly, emergencies. Your therapy should never be another thing that stresses you out!
CBT (Cognitive Behavioral Therapy) is the launch pad for my practice, and I use it in conjunction with advanced training in couples counseling, grief, ALL things gender and LGBTQIA+ related, sex and intimacy issues, anxiety, and depression. To that point, I additionally utilize what is appropriate from other modalities, such as Narrative Therapy, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, and Internal Family Systems. But, CBT is really my jam.
Because I’ve been a traveling actor/singer (see About Me), part of my practice involves a sensitivity to the plight of performers’ lives. This includes navigating the instability of a life in the arts as an actor, and the hardships, challenges, and overall toll touring can have on actors and musicians.
If you are a person of color, I can not know your lived experience, and I’ll never insult you by implying I can; that would be repugnant as a woman of obvious privilege. I encourage you to find a therapist of color. But, if you can’t, I have taken – and continue to take – updated training in cultural competency. In addition, I am an activist who understands how systemic racism has been deployed and functions.
Another part of my practice, which has a different skill set and includes a bunch of cool tools, is Life Coaching. Maybe you’ve asked yourself, “what exactly do those people do, anyway?” (I did.) Not everyone needs, wants, or is ready for psychotherapy. Sometimes, individuals just get…stuck. In regards to coaching, there is no unpacking of past trauma, just a respect and understanding of its presence and how it informs the “stuckness”. A life coach can help devise a plan for reasonable – sometimes ambitious – action steps to promote movement, and helps to incentivize that movement. This process is solidly solution focused.
If you’ve read this far, I suppose I should mention all the warm fuzzy stuff: that I am compassionate, empathetic, non-judgmental, and I endeavor to create a safe, trusting, and inviting environment for this work. I also provide the space to laugh as often as possible and appropriate, or just hold the space for the open expression and release of pain. This work is not only my job, but my passion.
All of this means nothing if the vibe is not right. Therefore, I offer a free 30 minute, “Hey, lets see if we vibe” chat. If we do, great! If we don’t, that’s okay – I have no ego about this, so no harm, no foul. Finding the absolute “right” therapist is imperative to the process, and no one should settle for a “maybe.”
To book your free 30-minute introductory session, to see if it’s a good fit for us to work together, please call the office: (845) 758-0563.
Or if you prefer email: nataliebrownlmsw [AT] gmail [DOT] com (written to avoid the SPAM robots).
Top Specialties:
- Anxiety
- Grief
- Trauma and PTSD
- Alcohol Use
- Anger Management
- Behavioral Issues
- Bipolar Disorder
- Body Positivity
- Cancer
- Coping Skills
- Depression
- Divorce
- Family Conflict
- Life Coaching
- Life Transitions
- Marital and Premarital
- Men’s Issues
- Obsessive-Compulsive (OCD)
- Open Relationships Non-Monogamy
- Performer’s Lifestyle Anxiety
- Racial Identity
- Relationship Issues
- Self Esteem
- Self-Harming
- Sex Therapy
- Sex-Positive, Kink Allied
- Sexual Abuse
- Spirituality
- Suicidal Ideation
- Transgender
- Veterans
