Are you in the midst of a difficult life transition such as the birth of a child, divorce, empty nest, or death of a loved one?
Are you facing a challenging family situation?
Do you have difficulty dealing with conflict in a close or important relationship?
You are not alone.
I have helped many people develop strategies for dealing with difficult life challenges, and I will help you find relief from the impact of these experiences in a safe, supportive environment.
Carol Sterk, LCSW, CASAC
Psychotherapy
I've been in private practice for twelve years. My clients are a diverse group of individuals and couples. In working with them, I draw on my 30 years of experience in a broad range of mental health and substance abuse settings. I am a Licensed Clinical Social Worker and Certified Alcoholism and Substance Abuse Counselor in the State of New York.
Why Work With Me?
I am interested in the well being of each of my clients, and you will find that I am an engaged listener. I respect the courage of each person who calls to make that first appointment and then shows up at my office, not knowing quite what to expect. It’s not an easy thing to do, to share very personal information with someone you don’t know yet. I believe that the first session is the starting point for developing a trusting relationship with my clients and that this trust is the foundation upon which progress in therapy is built. It is crucial that you feel safe sitting in your therapist’s office and get the sense that he/she believes that, over time, there is hope that you can feel better, find more satisfaction in your relationships and enjoy your life. I am honored that so many people over the years have allowed me to accompany them on their journeys toward healing.
Who are my clients?
I work with individuals, couples and families. Most of them are like you; they are your friends, neighbors, co-workers. Quite often, those people who come to see me are going through a difficult time in their lives and are experiencing upsetting thoughts and painful feelings. They don’t feel like themselves and are unable to fully appreciate the positive aspects of their lives. Some clients may be finding it difficult to adjust to major changes in their lives while others are having problems in their relationships with their partners, children or extended family. In other cases, a client is struggling with unresolved issues from the past that interfere with his/her ability to enjoy the present. I have treated many people faced with a wide variety of challenges including:
- chronic or situational depression
- mild to severe anxiety disorders
- panic attacks
- childhood trauma (physical and/or emotional abuse or neglect)
- ACOA (Adult Child of an Alcoholic/Substance Abuser) issues
- codependence
- relapse prevention
- relationship difficulties
- procrastination and motivational difficulties
- workplace stress
How I can help
Therapy can enable you to:
- Take charge of your life
- Make decisions more easily
- Learn to effectively express your thoughts, feelings and needs
- Set limits without guilt
- Reduce anxiety
- Reduce frequency and severity of panic attacks
- Substitute healthy coping skills for maladaptive ways of dealing with your problem
- Prevent fear and negative thinking from controlling your decisions
- Feel less lonely and more connected to others
- Explore the ways your thoughts, feelings and behavior affect others
- Gain a better understanding of the impact your past experiences on the present