Eliot Yisroel Kaplan, PhD, LCSW

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Eliot Yisroel Kaplan, PhD, LCSW's style

Why Eliot Yisroel Kaplan, PhD, LCSW chose to be in the helping profession

As an undergraduate in college, I graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Environmental Health Science. While science and research were very interesting to me, I found people to be endlessly fascinating. After facing anxiety and depression in my late teens, I learned firsthand what it takes to make deep internal changes. That experience gave me the ability to genuinely relate to others who struggle to tame their own demons and work through difficult stuck places in life.

As part of my own journey, I learned the power of patience and humor in overcoming ingrained habits and challenges that can feel impossible to change. Over time, it became clear to me that helping others navigate these struggles came naturally to me. I value being able to connect with people in a real and honest way, especially during difficult periods of growth and change. At some point it occurred to me that I would be good at helping others, and the rest is history.

Eliot Yisroel Kaplan, PhD, LCSW's approach

My background and training are in Gestalt Therapy. The word “gestalt” reflects the idea that the whole is greater than the sum of its parts, and that philosophy has deeply shaped the way I approach therapy. Rather than focusing only on changing a specific behavior, emotion, or thought, I view the person, couple, or family as a whole interconnected system. In many cases, meaningful and lasting change comes not from isolating one issue, but from understanding the larger patterns and dynamics at play.

I’ve also been especially drawn to the work of Fritz Perls, MD, the developer of Gestalt Therapy, who often used paradoxical intention to raise awareness and create movement toward change. That idea had a strong impact on me and continues to influence the way I think about growth and healing. My interest in this aspect of psychology eventually led me to write the book *Paradox Psychology: It’s Not What You Think*, which is available on Amazon Books.

What you can expect from sessions with Eliot Yisroel Kaplan, PhD, LCSW

I am an experienced clinician with over 30 years in the field. I’ve been “around the block a few times” and have worked with some very serious and severe conditions and situations over the years. Through all of that experience, I’ve found that one of the real secrets to success in therapy is maintaining a light atmosphere and attitude, even when dealing with the darkest issues and problems. Keeping things intentionally lighter allows individuals, couples, and families to feel more welcome, more at ease, and ultimately safer opening up about what they’re going through.

I make it my business to ensure that everyone in the room feels seen and heard. When people feel safe, they are much more able to relax, speak freely, and express what’s really on their mind without effort or pressure. I often tell new clients that the hardest part of therapy is the first session, because no matter how much research you do beforehand, you can’t truly know if someone is the right fit until you’re sitting in the room with them. My hope is always to create a space where your concerns feel understood and where I can help serve as the catalyst to move beyond whatever stuck place you may be facing.

Eliot Yisroel Kaplan, PhD, LCSW's experience working with the Jewish community

I myself am a baal teshuva, having come into Yiddishkeit in my mid-30s. I deeply appreciate the beauty, meaning, and grounding that Judaism can offer, while also understanding some of the guilt, pressure, and family or social expectations that can sometimes create real struggles for people. Because of that, I try to approach this work with sensitivity and respect for both the emotional and religious aspects of a person’s life. When appropriate and with a client’s permission, I am open to consulting with Rabbonim and have even conducted sessions where a Rav or Rabbi participated directly in the conversation.

If there are halachic concerns involved, I encourage clients to speak with their Rav for guidance. While I’m pretty good at what I do, one limitation is that I don’t speak Yiddish or Hebrew, though I’ve still worked successfully with clients from many different communities and backgrounds. My office is located in Crown Heights, Brooklyn, and I’ve worked with individuals, couples, and families from Boro Park, Flatbush, Lakewood, Morristown, Teaneck, Williamsburg, and beyond. In general, I’ve found that Jewish clients often come into therapy having already done a great deal of thinking, researching, and trying to understand their issues, which can make the work both more layered and more meaningful.

Eliot Yisroel Kaplan, PhD, LCSW's Book Recommendation Zone

• Paradox Psychology - It's Not What You Think
  The art and science of paradoxical interventions
• Gestalt Therapy Verbatim. by Fritz Perls, MD
  Ins and outs of gestalt therapy with cases.
• Various books on CBT, IFS, EFT, EMDR
  It's good to have a working knowledge if different approaches.

Approaches

• Couples Counseling
• Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT)
• Gestalt Therapy
• Internal Family Systems (IFS)
• Structural Family Therapy

Concerns

• Dating
• Dissociative disorders
• Divorce/Separation
• Oppositional defiance disorder
• Parenting

34 years in practice

Licenses

• LCSW by NY State - Office of Professions 1994. License number R-036818

Degrees

• PhD, LCSW by Temple Univ / Rutgers Univ 1993 / 1980

Average costs per session

$250 - $375

Payment Methods

• Sliding Scale
• Free consultation
• Cash
• Zelle Quick Pay
• PayPal