Integrative Psychotherapy for Mind and Body
Now offering in-person sessions on the Upper West Side of Manhattan, in Brooklyn Heights, and virtual sessions across New York State and Arizona.
Why should anyone be Inside Psychotherapy?
To benefit from psychotherapy, you don't have to be broken, in crisis, desperate, or mentally ill.
Of course, we are here for those times too.
But in the absence of catastrophe or mental health crisis, regular counseling sessions, the ones where you sometimes think to yourself, "I don't really know what I'm going to talk about today," often lead to the most interesting and important times of self-inquiry and personal growth you will have.
Our Therapists are trained to:
Listen
to you describe patterns across time and situations that repeat in ways that don't serve you.
Challenge
your negative self-talk, which often leads to behaviors that keep you stuck.
Reframe
your thoughts and ruminations that leave you feeling frustrated and anxious.
Cheer
for your victories and enthusiastically celebrate your accomplishments.
We cannot promise that you will leave each therapy session feeling great. But we do expect you to leave each session feeling hope.
Our Specialties
Our Therapists in the Media
Our Values
- Trust: The alliance between counselor and client is one of the most important cornerstones to effective therapy. Our goal is to help you feel safe enough to talk about your challenges, fears, and desires in a caring, judgment-free space.
- Confidence: We believe in you, even when you don't yet believe in yourself. Our approach is strengths-based, which means we focus on your resilience as a way to address your challenges.
- Compassion: As therapists, one of our primary tools is ourselves. We see you as more than just clients but as fellow people. While your treatment will include clinical training and expertise, we also weave empathy, creativity, and humor into your sessions.
- Sensitivity: Reaching out for support is not easy. We recognize that taking this step may be one of the hardest things you do. We endeavor to create a warm, welcoming environment where you can feel deeply supported.
- Inclusivity: We strive to be an anti-racist, anti-ableist, LGBTQUAI+, sex-positive, gender affirming practice. We welcome counselors and clients of all ethnicities, religions, cultures, heritages, sexualities, abilities, and genders.
Meet Alena Gerst, LCSW
Founder and Director of Inside Psychotherapy
When I was considering becoming a counselor for my second career, I asked my own therapist at the time if he ever got tired of listening to people talk about their problems all day. He smiled and said, “The healthiest people I know are in therapy.”
After working for over a decade as a psychotherapist in private practice, I could not agree more. It is the honor of a lifetime to sit with people who lean toward health Inside Psychotherapy.
We look forward to meeting you.
