MESSAGE TO CLIENTS
Welcome! I’m Larisa Kohen, a psychotherapist committed to guiding individuals on their path to emotional well-being and growth. I’m here to offer you a supportive therapeutic experience, where your unique challenges and aspirations are the focus.

MY APPROACH
As a firm believer in the power of therapy, I specialize in evidence-based techniques that foster meaningful change. My therapeutic style is goal-oriented and collaborative, centered around your unique journey. I see us as partners working together to uncover the tools you need to overcome challenges and achieve your personal goals. We will work together to create a roadmap for your progress, setting achievable goals that align with your aspirations. Our therapeutic relationship is built on trust and open communication, ensuring a safe space for your transformation. Whether you are dealing with anxiety, depression, relationship issues, or personal growth, I am committed to tailoring our sessions to meet your unique needs.

SPECIALTIES + EXPERTISE
My expertise lies in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), a proven method that focuses on identifying and reshaping negative thought patterns that fuel distress. Building on this foundation, I incorporate meta-cognitive techniques to help you understand and adjust your thinking processes for more balanced emotional responses. Additionally, I integrate Emotional Schema Therapy to explore the core emotional patterns that influence your worries and rumination.

TARGETING WORRY AND RUMINATION
Worry and rumination can cloud our minds, affecting our daily lives. My practice specializes in providing effective strategies to tackle these challenges. Together, we will work to identify the triggers, understand the underlying emotions, and develop personalized techniques to manage and redirect these thought patterns.
I also offer:

• Inference-Based CBT: This specialized approach is particularly effective for individuals dealing with obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). Inference-Based CBT focuses on challenging and restructuring mistaken inferences (or interpretations) that lead to obsessive thinking. By identifying how false beliefs fuel intrusive thoughts, this method helps you regain control and diminish compulsions.
• SPACE (Supportive Parenting for Anxious Childhood Emotions) Therapy: This approach focuses on helping parents learn specific skills to support their children in overcoming anxiety and obsessive-compulsive behaviors. I guide parents through interventions that reduce accommodation and promote healthier responses, fostering independence and resilience in children.
• DNA-V for Young People: DNA-V stands for Discoverer, Noticer, Advisor, and Vitality/Values. This psychological model is based on Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) and is designed to help young people develop emotional resilience and live according to their values. By encouraging self-discovery, mindfulness, and values-based actions, DNA-V empowers young individuals to navigate emotional challenges and thrive.
• Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT) for Couples: EFT is an attachment-based approach that helps couples understand and restructure emotional responses to create a secure and lasting bond. In our sessions, we work on deepening emotional connection, fostering empathy, and addressing negative cycles that may hinder your relationship's growth.

TAKING THE NEXT STEP
Taking the step towards therapy is a significant decision, and I'm here to support you every step of the way. If you're ready to start a journey of self-discovery and growth, I invite you to reach out to me. Together, we can work towards creating positive changes that resonate deeply in your life.
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EDUCATION 

• Queens College, City University of New York — Bachelor of Arts, English and Psychology
• Wurzweiler School of Social Work, Yeshiva University — Master of Social Work

LICENSES + CERTIFICATIONS​

• ​Gottman Method Couples Therapy Level 3, The Gottman Institute
• Inference Based Therapy (I-CBT) for OCD and related disorders, OCD Training School
• CBT for Anxiety Disorders, Beck Institute
• Trial-Based Cognitive Therapy (TBCT) training, Irismar Reis de Oliveira, MD, PhD.
• Transformational Chairwork training, Scott Kellogg, PhD
• Pian Reprocessing Therapy (PRT), Pain Reprocessing Therapy Center Training Institute
• Dialectical Behavior Therapy C-DBT Intensive Certification Course, PESI
• Radically Open Dialectical Behavior Therapy for Disorders of Overcontrol (RO DBT) Level 1,​ PESI
• Failure to Launch training with Randy J. Paterson, PhD, Praxis CET
• Intensive Training: Cognitive Behavior Therapy for Insomnia (CBT-I)​​​

• SPACE (Supportive Parenting for Anxious Childhood Emotions) Therapy, Dr. Eli Lebowitz
• DNA-V ACT, Louise Hayes, PhD and Joseph Ciarrochi, PhD
• Emotional Focused Therapy Externship, New York Center for Emotionally Focused Therapy
• Emotional Focused Therapy for Couples Core Skills, Ackerman Family Institute – Expected to Complete in January 2025
• TEAM-CBT Training, Feeling Good Institute – Expected to complete in April 2025

TESTIMONIALS

“Larisa clearly has a very comprehensive understanding of all that CBT has to offer. She pivoted easily to find the right tools for me in the face of my various issues and was able to apply them in an approachable, collaborative way. She was able to teach me the tenants of CBT without it feeling like a lesson in school and she made sure I understood what my distortions were in a comprehensive soft touch.”
Anonymous, 2022

"After many years of doing talk therapy, I decided that I wanted to try something more structured and goal oriented like CBT. I found NYC-CT online and was paired  with Larisa Kohen for three months of online sessions. The clinic was quick to reply to my initial inquiry and approve a sliding-scale rate based off of my freelance income and lack of insurance coverage.  The assessments, psycho-education, worksheets, and emotional support that Larisa provided were very helpful and exactly what I'd hoped for. I was a little nervous that online sessions would be awkward or not as impactful, but thankfully neither proved to be true. I was very comfortable and the shared screen feature that Larissa used make doing worksheets together very easy.  All and all, I'm very happy with the services I received and would gladly refer others and reach back out of I ever need additional support!" 
Roni, 2022

"My experience with therapy was extremely positive. I found Larisa easy and enjoyable to talk to. She provided extremely useful tools for coping with general anxious feelings around the pandemic and remote work, and also helped me through tough situations surrounding my family. It was a hard decision to end therapy because I enjoyed our conversations. If I find myself in need of therapy again in the future I will definitely reach out to Larisa again."
​Sam B, 2022

"NYCCT and its specialist, Larisa Kohen, were an indispensable source of support for me for several years. Superbly attentive, thorough and thoughtful, Larisa was additionally flexible to my scheduling and always ready to provide additional materials in between our sessions. Her cheerful demeanor made difficult conversations all the more tractable, and the exercises and workshops we worked through together have become a toolkit for handling virtually any situation involving anxiety, distress or discomfort."   
Virgilio, 2022

"I always believed that one’s thoughts are one’s destiny. Larisa Kohen, my therapist, and Noah B. Clyman of NYCCT guided me to turn my beliefs into reality. After all these years, I feel I am in control, and can fulfill my dreams. They are incredible." 
​V.S., 2021

"I am very happy to have done therapy here to conquer my social anxiety and depression. My therapist (Larisa Kohen) was excellent and very knowledgeable. I learned a lot of techniques and procedures to change my negative thinking, decrease my anxiety and depression and be more realistic. I would definitely recommend NYCCT." 
​HB, 2021​

"I have seen a major change in the way I am able to handle my anxiety since working with Larisa. She is easy to talk to and a fantastic listener. Larisa helped me formulate methods through which to track my thoughts and to reframe my viewpoint. I have become less critical of myself through learning about cognitive distortions that will help me beyond my time in therapy. This has improved my life and my outlook drastically."   
​Marissa S. , August, 2020