Kristen Lipman

I'm a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) specializing in major life transitions, difficulty in relationships, depression, anxiety, mood instability, body dysmorphia, perfectionism, people-pleasing, sexual trauma, intergenerational conflicts, and identity exploration for individual adults and couples. My experience includes 10 years providing care coordination across various social service settings and 5 years offering psychotherapy, with a focus on adults navigating stressors in micro and macro settings within family systems, relationships, workplaces, and larger systems of oppression and marginalization.

I believe the bond between a patient and therapist can serve as a healing space to practice newer, healthier ways of relating to your environment. I look forward to practicing vulnerability, exploring patterns of behavior, and challenging ingrained beliefs in our work together.

As a bi-cultural South Asian and white Jewish New Yorker, I ground my practice in an anti-racism, anti-oppression framework. My holistic approach creates a transparent and accountable space where we can explore and affirm multiple aspects of your identity (cultural upbringing, gender, race, spirituality, class, ability, and sexuality) while examining areas of privilege and power and clarifying your personal values and goals.

Every patient is the expert on their own experience, and my wish for each person I work with is to become empowered by cultivating a deeper understanding of themselves and a greater love for their communities. To help patients home in on their strengths, I offer concrete coping tools for navigating hardships, along with tangible, measurable goals to work toward. Depending on your unique needs, we can utilize various modalities, including a psychodynamic relational approach, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT), and Mindfulness meditation techniques.

My path to becoming a therapist began with a wish to deepen my understanding of how humans internalize the messages we receive from birth from our families, cultures, and institutions about morality, beauty, and self-worth. Coupled with an understanding of human nervous systems, trauma responses, and psychological defense mechanisms, I bring this comprehensive perspective to each session.

I love singing, dancing, and reading, and I cherish spending time with family and friends.