My philosophy and vision in treatment involves facilitating a combination of talk therapy and mindful body practices, enabling each person to realize his or her unique self with compassion and awareness.

I am specially trained to assist those who struggle with anxiety, trauma, and relationship problems. I use evidence-based treatments that have been proven to help people with your exact problem. Specifically, I practice cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), dialectical behavioral therapy (DBT), cognitive processing therapy (CPT), and family systems therapy. I tailor these research-driven therapies to meet your specific needs and achieve your goals. If you’re ready to make a change in your life, learn new skills, and understand yourself on a deeper level, give me a call or send me an email. I offer free 15-minute phone consultations to get to know you, your struggles, and your goals for the future. I look forward to being on your team!

I honor each individual's unique characteristics and strengths. In that spirit, I tailor my methods to the unique needs of the client - utilizing cognitive behavior therapy, psychodynamic, and humanistic modes. I am warm, encouraging and a strong motivator. My extensive background as a psychiatric social worker helps me to advocate for my clients and has provided me with special skills and life experiences that I bring to my psychotherapy practice.

Life can feel overwhelming sometimes. Whether you're struggling with anxiety that won't quiet, depression that feels heavy, obsessive thoughts that won't let go, or trauma that still hurts, please know that you don't have to navigate these challenges alone. I'm here to walk alongside you on your journey toward healing and growth. With over 10 years of experience supporting people through their most difficult moments, I've had the privilege of witnessing incredible resilience and transformation. My background spans case management, inpatient psychiatric care, substance use recovery, and family services, giving me a deep appreciation for how life's circumstances—cultural, social, and emotional—can create barriers to the change we long for. This experience has taught me that healing happens best when we honor the whole person, not just the symptoms.

I take it that you are searching for a psychologist, or an effective mental health professional to assist you with some psychological issues that are keeping you from becoming as successful as you want to be. If so, look no further! I can help! I can hep you, if you are looking for assistance to cope with irritating thoughts and feelings, or with behaviors that are now interfering with your daily functioning! I specialize in couple, family, and relationship issues, using the dynamic Emotionally Focused Therapy {EFT} skills and techniques that espouse a theory of close adult relationships in a way that no other theory does. I can help you also if you are looking for help with depressions, anxiety, anger management, family conflict, parenting skill, teenage, career, education, and school related issues. My commitment to the helping profession obliges me to see your goal as my primary focus, and work using a wide ranging experience and expertise to help you achieve your goals.

I provide psychological services to help children and parents lead meaningful and vibrant lives. Disruptive behaviors, changes in the family structure, traumatic experiences, and developmental issues are some of many challenges families are faced with. Whether the school work has become too challenging, the behaviors seem unmanageable, you are concerned about your childs academic, social, or emotional development, or you are finding it difficult to sustain a healthy and enjoyable relationship with your child, services I provide can assist you. Those challenges are often accompanied with worry and concern as your child matures to a new stage of development and their needs change. Parents are faced with decisions on how to discipline, manage, and foster your childs physical, social, and emotional well-being. I offer individual, parent-child (dyadic), group, and individual parent consultations services are available to those seeking support, guidance, and meaning to what is taking place within themselves, their child, or their family.

Life can be challenging, and it's okay to seek support when you're feeling overwhelmed or stuck. Whether you're dealing with physical symptoms or emotional struggles, there's often more beneath the surface than meets the eye. As a Biodecodage practitioner, I offer a safe space to explore the deeper roots of your experiences. For those with physical symptoms, we'll uncover how these might connect to unresolved emotional conflicts. If you're facing emotional challenges without physical manifestations, we'll work together to trace these feelings back to their origins so that they no longer trigger you. Through our journey together, we'll identify the root cause of recurring emotional patterns or conflicts. My approach is tailored to your unique needs, whether you're seeking more tools to tackle your physical symptoms or looking to resolve persistent emotional conflicts. Together, we'll work towards finding clarity, peace, and a deeper understanding of yourself. Remember, seeking help is a courageous step towards healing. Whenever you're ready to begin this journey of self-discovery and growth, I'm here to support you.

I have been practicing psychotherapy with individuals and couples in New York City for over 20 years. I view all personal and interpersonal pain as a result of unresolved trauma, be it attachment trauma or trauma due to life shattering incidents, like accidents or natural disasters. I often use EMDR with my individual clients, a therapy which is very effective in clearing trauma and neutralizing triggers which lead to depression, anxiety, low self esteem, performance anxiety and interpersonal difficulties. In my work with couples I use EFT (Emotionally Focused Couples Therapy) a therapy which exemines emotions which guide all interactions and diferent attachment styles. I believe that effective therapy brings about growth and change and it occurs in the atmosphere of safety, trust, connection and collaboration. Safety is my first priority, the sessions are confidential and trust is the basis upon which a thrapeutic relationship is built. My reputation is that I am straight forward without being harsh and give a lot of feedback in the sessions. I work dilligently to find root causes of the problems that bring people to therapy. I appreciate that starting therapy can be both empowering and frightening. Therefore, it is the client, who sets the pace as we begin. We work as a team to try to gain historical perspective to current difficulties, insight into current issues, confront obstacles and develop coping skills, which will lead to necessary steps, strategies and changes.

I believe that a successful path to achieving growth and change in therapy starts with feeling a comfortable and collaborative connection to your therapist. I strive to help my patients establish goals and feel a sense of progress in therapy. I meet my patients where they are emotionally and help guide them in the direction they hope to be. I utilize Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Solution-Focused Therapy, Mindfulness, and Interpersonal Therapy in my practice. I also use CBT-I for insomnia as well as EMDR for trauma work. I provide a relaxed, judgement-free environment. In today's world, the level of anxiety and depression has been on the rise, especially in the younger generations. I strive to remove the stigma of mental health treatment for my patients. I also utilize teletherapy to assist patients who cannot get to the office regularly. My practice also provides parent training to assist parents with their child's symptoms or diagnosis. I conduct neuropsychological, psychoeducational, and psychological evaluations to examine symptoms, diagnose, and provide thorough and detailed recommendations. I work with children ages 6-12, adolescents ages 13-17 and adults ages 18 and up.

I start with the belief that we all have an intrinsic ability to heal. Using awareness of body, mind and emotions, we can make our lives and relationships better, get unstuck from trauma, and learn to stay in the here and now. We can create greater regulation in our nervous systems. Instead of repeating negative patterns, we can build new pathways. My clients tell me that our work together helps them gain compassion for self and others, change long-standing patterns, connect with their body, emotions, and sense of inner goodness -- and simply feel more alive. I'm a Somatic Experiencing (SE) Practitioner and an SE Training Assistant. I'm also an Internal Family Systems (IFS) therapist. and a Ketamine Assisted Psychotherapist (KAP). Other modalities I'm trained in that are useful for renegotiating trauma are the Safe and Sound Protocol (SSP), Somatic Resilience and Regulation (SRR), and EMDR. I also use Theraplay and Dyadic Developmental Psychotherapy (effective for building parent-child attachment and parental leadership), and Sensory Motor Arousal Regulation Treatment (SMART). I'm a certified instructor of Yoga Dance and a Rape Crisis Counselor. I'm director of Mindful Therapy Brooklyn, a group practice. I created Starfish Body and Soul, a therapeutic movement program for trauma survivors.

Therapy is where real change begins—with compassion, understanding, and practical tools for growth. I believe every person’s story is unique, shaped by past experiences and present challenges. My commitment is to create a safe, nonjudgmental environment where you feel understood and empowered. Using a blend of cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), dialectical behavioral therapy (DBT), and psychodynamic approaches, I help you explore how past experiences influence your current thoughts, emotions, and behaviors. Together, we’ll uncover the patterns that shape your life, and develop personalized strategies for meaningful change. My approach is both insight-oriented and skills-based, providing practical tools and techniques to strengthen your confidence and resilience beyond the therapy room. I am passionate about supporting clients through the complexities of anxiety, obsessive-compulsive condition (OCD), trauma, and the ups and downs of relationships and family dynamics. I offer guidance and care during life’s most challenging moments. Starting therapy can feel overwhelming, but every step you take is a step toward positive change and healing. My ultimate goal is to help you feel whole and empowered, equipped with the skills to navigate life’s inevitable challenges, strengthen relationships, and create a more balanced and fulfilling life.

*FREE ONE HALF HOUR EVALUATION SESSION *AWARD WINNING PRACTICE: "BEST OF 2018, PSYCHOTHERAPIST" *RESULTS THERAPY *LIFE COACH *BUILD A LIFE SKILLS TOOLBOX OF STRENGTHS. *PROCESS AND RESOLVE ISSUES. *WEBSITE: https:buffy-bernhardt-k52s.squarespace.com *5 Star Google Reviews ***RESULTS THERAPY: A PROGRAM THAT TEACHES YOU HOW TO ELEVATE YOUR LIFE. LEARN TO OVERCOME CHALLENGES THAT THROW YOU OFF. WITH PROVEN TECHNIQUES TO HJELP SOLVE YOUR ISSUES, YOU WILL LEARN TO CREATE THE LIFE YOU ENVISION FOR YOURSELF. ***INDUSTRIES SERVED: BUSINESS, ENTERTAINMENT AND ARTS, SELF-EMPLOYED, EDUCATION, MEDICAL, HUMAN SERVICES, SPORTS, GOVERNMENT, LAW, ETC. We process issues together, then build a life skills toolbox. These tools will help you successfully resolve issues and empower your life. From a heart centered, holistic perspective, (body, mind, spirit). I will work with you as a psychotherapist-life coach in resolving life's challenges in order to develop direction, clarity and personal inner strength.....and create the life you want. I invite you to let me help you heal your life. THERAPIST ROLE: With a gentle, and compassionate approach I create a safe space in which we can explore your issues together. Sometimes we can find ourselves in state of "stuckness", negativity, confusion, fear, with limiting beliefs that can prevent us from moving forward. My role as a therapist is not only to guide you through challenges and transitions in an inclusive and nurturing way, but also to provide you with a deeper understanding of behaviors and stories that may be limiting your resolution and growth, in order to integrate the many parts of your self and manifest a life of fulfillment. PEOPLE SEE ME FOR: Marriage counseling, relationships, all stages of life transition, bereavement, emotional, behavioral challenges, birthpregnancy, personal coaching, personal and spiritual growth, etc. INNER STRENGTHS: Engaging in an inner process while learning to access your "wiser Self" is part of restoring your life to one of harmony, empowerment and well being. As you journey into this process, you will access your greater potential and creative gifts that will serve you in this transformation. TOOLS FOR GROWTH: Insight is only part of the process. It is also important to learn new tools that help change and heal your issues. As you develop deeper insights into your circumstances, you will want to implement new behaviors, healthy thought patterns, while enhancing your strengths. Together we will explore your history, unpack insights and create a tool box of life transforming techniques that will help you develop new and positive ways to grow and cope with life's challenges. SESSIONS MAY INCLUDE: Each session is tailor made according to my client's needs. Discussion, processing, goal and achievement setting, stress reduction, mindfulness practices, meditation and guided imagery, affirmations, personal coaching and other holistic techniques that promote personal awareness, healing and positive growth. BUFFY BERNHARDT, LMSW Director of Nyack Center for Counseling and Coaching, is a HarvardFordham trained New York State licensed social worker: 25 years of advanced training and experience as a psychotherapist and coach. She has developed the "AWAKENED HEART SYSTEM" (based on how to heal, grow, empower yourself), incorporating numerous therapeutichealing modalities, including traditional and body-mind transformative techniques.