Elana Bakst, LMSW
CLINICAL DIRECTOR & THERAPIST
Each of us has a story to tell and I'm here to listen to yours, to provide a warm, nonjudgmental space to reflect on your experiences and create lasting positive change that matters most to you. Whether you're seeking support to help cope with a stressful life transition or crisis, improve the quality of your relationships, or manage your mental health, together we'll work to recognize and build upon your resiliency and develop healthy ways for creating greater happiness, wellness, and fulfillment. Change can be quite scary and overwhelming, so having someone truly in your corner to help clear away the road blocks can make the world of a difference.
Every client is unique, so my approach will be individually tailored to you, your reasons for seeking help, and your specific goals. I incorporate psychodynamic, CBT, attachment, strengths, and mindfulness-based approaches. I believe that stresses and struggles don't have to define you, and prior experiences and patterns don't have to dictate the future.
Therapy can provide a chance to gain a deeper understanding of thoughts, feelings, behaviors, and patterns and how they interact to shape our choices, sense of self, and how we engage with the world. Cultivating such insight helps us heal from past hurts, become unstuck and move towards meaningful change, our best selves, and experiencing life to the fullest. Learning how to shift one’s thought and behavior patterns is challenging, but also absolutely possible; feeling seen, heard, valued, and supported are all key to making these shifts reality.
Prior to making the transition to clinical social work, I taught in the NYC public and private schools for several years. I began this second step of my career journey providing therapy to adolescents in school suspension sites and then shifted to the employees of a large hospital system. It is an honor to now be part of this group practice, and I love the work that I do with clients from such a wide range of backgrounds with different life stories, strengths, challenges, and personal goals