Dr. Ellen I. Carni: My Approach To Psychotherapy

I believe we all have the capacity to create long-lasting change. I help people tap into the wise soul that exists inside them who knows what they need to heal.

My therapeutic style is warm and compassionate. My office is a safe, judgment-free place where you can let down your defenses, explore your own inner workings, and get the emotional support you need.

Wherever you are emotionally, I’ll meet you there. If you had a difficult childhood or have experienced some other past trauma, you may have developed unconscious thought patterns and behaviors to protect yourself from the pain of unhealed emotional wounds. I can spot those patterns during our sessions, allowing us to explore which ones are serving you and which may be holding you back.

I use our relationship as a valuable source of information and support, a kind of living laboratory that allows us to see close-up and, in safety, how you engage in relationships and where you might improve. I may also use your dreams, artwork, poetry, music, or other creative work as a starting point to the cultivation of self-awareness. With my support and guidance, you can use this new perspective to improve your self-confidence and to develop new, healthier habits.

Owning Your Story

Exploring your deepest hopes and fears isn’t always easy, but self-awareness is key to living an authentic, emotionally rich life. In the words of Brené Brown, a research professor at the University of Houston: “Owning our story can be hard, but not nearly as difficult as spending our lives running from it. Embracing our vulnerabilities is risky, but not nearly as dangerous as giving up on love and belonging and joy—the experiences that make us the most vulnerable. Only when we are brave enough to explore the darkness will we discover the infinite power of our light.” By owning your story you can reclaim your uniqueness, passion, and creativity.

In our sessions, we’ll uncover more than just “negative” things such as limiting beliefs. We’ll also get in touch with your strengths and resources. Many of my clients—their perspectives clouded by outside influences or their own negative thoughts—don’t give themselves enough credit. As an unbiased third party, I am unencumbered by any preconceptions you may have about yourself. This allows me to provide you with a clearer view of both your weaknesses and your strengths.

At times, therapy can feel like who you are is being taken apart piece by piece. But in my more than 25 years of experience, I have helped even the most troubled clients find and embrace the truth of who they are and who they want to become, leading them to meaningful, lasting healing and self-improvement. If you’ve never experienced a nurturing relationship before, you may be surprised at the positive impact it can have on your life.

Empowering Self-Healing And Truth

I’ll encourage you to listen to and trust your inherent wisdom, the voice inside every one of us who always seems to know the answers. Moreover, I’ll help you build trust in yourself and others, boosting your self-confidence and strengthening your relationships. If you are so inclined, I’ll help you tap into your own innate capacity for self-healing through EMDR, a scientifically proven way to help the brain heal and reorganize itself in beneficial ways.

Through psychotherapy, you’ll be better positioned to fulfill your personal and professional goals and to create a life worth celebrating. You’re welcome to come back for as many sessions as you need, but my goal is to empower you to control your own destiny as you continue to heal and grow on your own.

In NYC, psychotherapy is widely available, but each licensed psychotherapist has their own style. If you feel my approach would be a good fit for you, please call 646-620-9940 to schedule an appointment. You can also contact me  for a free, 15-minute phone consultation to learn more about my approach.

Dr. Ellen I. Carni has more than 25 years of experience as a licensed psychologist. She holds a doctorate in psychology and a postdoctoral certificate in psychoanalysis. She has written articles and manuals for publications such as The New York Times, the New York State Bar Association, and Cosmopolitan. She has also designed and conducted training curricula and workshops and spoken for audiences of different sizes. An admirer of the brain’s remarkable power for self-healing, she is also certified in EMDR therapy with the EMDR Institute. Learn more about Dr. Carni’s education and background here.