Melissa Lieber

Every person has a unique story

Melissa Lieber's style

Why Melissa Lieber chose to be in the helping profession

Every person has a unique story, trials to overcome, and inner exploration to undertake. What I truly appreciate about being a part of the helping profession is the privilege of embarking on this journey with you to unearth your true self.

My own path as a psychotherapist and art therapist began with a simple desire - to make my days feel meaningful and connected. Over the past 25+ years, I've worked with people of all ages in various settings, learning what this really means. Today, I'm wholeheartedly dedicated to helping people identify and achieve their goals through the therapeutic process.

Melissa Lieber's approach

My approach is grounded in integration, a person-centered philosophy, and a collaborative ethos. I draw from psychodynamic and experiential frameworks to shine a light on the protective barriers that obstruct our path, resulting in suffering, impaired functionality, or relationship complications. By recognizing and dismantling these barriers, we can pave the way for more authentic existence, nurturing self-care, fostering intimacy, stimulating creativity, and ultimately finding satisfaction while revealing our genuine selves.

My expertise extends to advanced training in Art Therapy, Accelerated Experiential Dynamic Psychotherapy (AEDP), and Intensive Short-Term Dynamic Psychotherapy (ISTDP). These evidence-based psychodynamic treatments offer a unique perspective on resolving issues such as anxiety, depression, and somatization. Central to this work is a focus on the present moment, exploring how it intertwines with our past experiences.

The individuals I primarily work with often find themselves navigating various life transitions, such as the journey into adulthood, embarking on new relationships, navigating separation or divorce, coping with bereavement, confronting illness, adapting to career changes, handling school-related challenges, and grappling with the complexities of parenthood.

What you can expect from sessions with Melissa Lieber

Therapy unfolds as a journey of constructing a trusting relationship, where the avenues of expression, exploration, self-awareness, and healing come to life. My role is to cultivate a welcoming and nurturing space within which this therapeutic connection can flourish. Together, we will embark on a collaborative journey where I play an active role, fully engaged in the therapeutic process. Our mutual endeavor will focus on pursuing your objectives, delving into your experiences and emotions, and tapping into your true, authentic self. On occasion, we might even employ art materials to aid in this transformative process.

Melissa Lieber's experience working with the Jewish community

Throughout my career, I've had the privilege of working with individuals from diverse age groups and cultural backgrounds. It's striking to discover that, beneath those differences, we all share common internal and emotional experiences that serve as bridges for connection.

Nevertheless, there is a unique bond that forms when you work with individuals who not only share these internal experiences but also resonate with your external experiences, including culture and religion. For me, there's a special sense of belonging and comfort that emerges when I'm in the presence of fellow Jews. This feeling of connection and shared identity becomes particularly pronounced within the walls of my office, especially in these times of uncertainty.

Melissa Lieber's Book Recommendation Zone

• The Lies We Tell Ourselves
• The Mask of Motherhood
• Wreck This Journal

Approaches

• Accelerated Experiential Dynamic Psychotherapy (AEDP)
• Art Therapy
• Attachment-based
• Play Therapy
• Psychodynamic Therapy
• Somatic Therapy
• Supervision Services
• Trauma Focused Therapy

Concerns

• Anxiety
• Bereavement & Grief
• Dating
• Divorce/Separation
• Emotion regulation
• Mood Disorders
• Parenting
• Relationships
• Religious Identity Issues
• Transitions & Change
• Trauma

28 years in practice

Licences

• LCAT by New York State 2006. License number 000193

Degrees

• MPS by Pratt Institute 1995

Certificates

• AEDP level 3

Trainings

• ISTDP

Affiliations

• AATA
• NYATA
• EDT
• AEDP Institute

Average costs per session

$200 - $350

Insurances

• Cigna