Psychodynamic therapy · New York and New Jersey
Grief comes in many forms - the loss of a loved one, an old way of life, or a belief system. I offer psychodynamic therapy for adults who are seeking support through these painful transitions.
I meet with clients in person on Manhattan's Upper West Side and online throughout New York and New Jersey.
Jocelyn Goldberg, LMHC, LPC · Licensed Mental Health Counselor in New York and Licensed Professional Counselor in New Jersey
In our work together, I offer a space to freely explore all of the messy feelings that come with starting over, whether that be guilt, shame, or isolation.
There is nothing more daunting (and brave!) than starting over. Congratulations! You've done the hardest part. One of the most challenging parts of leaving a religious community is how difficult it can be to tolerate uncertainty in a world where rules are not rigid, and answers are not clear. My job is to provide a space to wade through the confusion, isolation, and conflicting feelings. My goal is to help you figure out what a life well lived looks like, and what your values are.
If leaving a religious community has cost you relationships, this is a form of grief. It is often accompanied by shame too.
In my practice, therapy is a place to look at all of this slowly, in your own words, without being told what conclusion to reach.
Separating personal values and desires from inherited expectations.
Making room for the loss of certainty, relationships, rituals or community.
Understanding how religious and family systems may continue to affect adult relationships.
Exploring internalized messages without reducing the person to a diagnosis.
I do not just listen and quietly nod (although sometimes I do!) - I view therapy as a dialogue where I am an active participant. My goal is to create a space where you feel safe and supported in putting your feelings into words. I aim to identify patterns and gently challenge, too, when necessary.
Above all, I believe change cannot happen without safety and trust between client and therapist. I offer practical support too — including skills drawn from CBT and DBT.
Hello! I am a psychodynamic therapist working with adults, primarily in their 20s and 30s, on religious trauma, grief, identity, self-esteem, and relationships. I am licensed in New York as a Licensed Mental Health Counselor (LMHC) and in New Jersey as a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC). I hold an MA in Mental Health Counseling from The City College of New York and a BA in Psychology from McGill University, and completed a Postgraduate Certificate in Interpersonal Psychoanalytic Psychotherapy at the William Alanson White Institute.
I see clients in person on the Upper West Side and online across New York and New Jersey.
Learn more about me
Meet in person at my Manhattan office.
110 West 96th Street, Suite 2B, New York, NY 10025 · currently Tuesdays
Therapy on the Upper West Side
Attend virtual therapy from a private location within either state.
Sessions by Zoom, wherever you are in NY or NJ
Online therapy in New York and New JerseyChoose a consultation time.
Speak briefly with me about fit and logistics.
Decide together whether to schedule a first session.
Understanding Religious Trauma
The effects people describe to me are often quiet ones: hesitation before ordinary decisions, a reflex to monitor yourself, difficulty naming what you want.
Read what religious trauma can look like in adulthoodGrief and Belonging
Leaving can mean losing a calendar, a language, a set of relationships and a picture of the future, all at once, and often without a place to mourn any of it.
Read why leaving a religious community can feel like griefUnderstanding Religious Trauma
Some people stay, some people leave, and many stay in a changed way. I don't require a conclusion about belief before the work can begin.
Read can you experience religious trauma without leaving your faith?A consultation is a chance to ask questions, discuss what you are looking for and for us to see whether working together feels appropriate.