Vanessa Gorelkin, MA, OTR/L

Pain is inevitable, suffering is optional.

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Vanessa Gorelkin, MA, OTR/L's style

Why Vanessa Gorelkin, MA, OTR/L chose to be in the helping profession

I’ve always been drawn to helping other people, and I believe that this calling has a deeply Jewish connection. The idea of “healing the world” through one small gesture at a time has guided much of my life and my work. Over the course of my career, which spans more than 30 years, I have inhabited many different versions of being a helper. From serving as an administrator of large organizations to working one-on-one with patients and clients who need my expertise, guidance, and support, each role has strengthened my commitment to helping others.

Simply put, helping others fuels my soul and affirms my connection with the world around me. I find meaning in being present for people during important moments in their lives and offering the care, understanding, and guidance they need to move forward. My experiences across different settings have shaped the way I approach my work, allowing me to connect with people from many backgrounds and walks of life. At the heart of everything I do is a genuine desire to make a difference, one person and one meaningful interaction at a time.

Vanessa Gorelkin, MA, OTR/L's approach

I’m a licensed occupational therapist by training, and most people don’t immediately think of an “OT” when they think about therapy care. That makes sense, and it is also exactly what sets me apart from many therapists. My background in occupational therapy shapes the way I understand people, their challenges, and the connection between daily life, emotions, and overall well-being. I bring a unique perspective to my work and focus on helping clients create meaningful change in ways that feel practical, personalized, and connected to their goals.

My approach is collaborative, action-oriented, goal-directed, and real. I deeply respect my clients and invest myself in their progress and direction, working together to identify what matters most and how to move toward it. I draw from a variety of evidence-based practices, including Dialectical Behavioral Therapy, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy, Internal Family Systems, and Motivational Interviewing. My approach is the opposite of rigid. I take a flexible point of view and use whatever skills and tools I have to help reach the outcomes we define together.

What you can expect from sessions with Vanessa Gorelkin, MA, OTR/L

You can expect to come to therapy and work with me toward reaching your goals in a way that feels supportive, collaborative, and meaningful. I will listen, interact with you, and guide your sessions, so if you are unfamiliar with the therapy process, there is nothing to fear. My role is to help create a space where you feel comfortable being yourself while also providing direction and support along the way. I hope our work together feels conversational and natural, while still giving you valuable things to reflect on and consider between sessions.

I may provide “homework” or things to practice between sessions, but I do not believe in requiring clients to simply complete worksheets or fill out forms. Therapy is not a one-size-fits-all process, and you can expect to be treated as the unique and special human being you are. Much of therapy is an exploration of becoming more connected to your deepest self, understanding your strengths, and developing the skills needed to navigate life with greater clarity and confidence. Together, we will focus on what matters most to you and find an approach that supports your growth and goals.

Vanessa Gorelkin, MA, OTR/L's experience working with the Jewish community

Being Jewish is infused in every fiber of my being. From attending Jewish summer camps, including both day camps and sleepaway camps, to participating in a teen tour to Israel and attending Brandeis University, I have never strayed far from my cultural roots as a Jew. My Jewish identity has shaped who I am, how I see the world, and the way I show up in my work with others. It is difficult to separate my connection to the Jewish community from my daily life because it is such a meaningful and deeply rooted part of who I am.

I have volunteered with a women’s helpline and provided reduced-cost services to Jewish community members after the devastating events of 10/7/23. I feel deeply aligned with my Jewishness, and I carry a genuine understanding of the complexity, strength, and richness of the Jewish experience. I love being Jewish and am a proud Jewish woman. If you choose to work with me, I will bring that same care, respect, and understanding into our work together, creating a space where your experiences, values, and identity are fully seen and honored.

Vanessa Gorelkin, MA, OTR/L's Book Recommendation Zone

• Man's Search for Meaning, Viktor Frankl
  This is a book that speaks the words of resilience, purpose and our unique human capabilities to choose deep meaning and goodness.
• No Bad Parts, Richard Schwartz
  A description of Internal Family Systems-- I don't agree with every last bit of this book, but it is by the originator of a beloved approach of mine in therapy (Internal Family Systems.) The book makes an important point that I often state in therapy: there are no bad parts of who you are, and the more deeply you understand yourself, the easier your internal life can become.
• Full Catastrophe Living, Jon Kabat-Zinn
  By the father of modern medical mindfulness, Kabat-Zinn's approach is about awareness, steadiness, and the acceptance of all that makes human beings complex.

Approaches

• Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)
• Career Counseling
• Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT)
• Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP)
• Internal Family Systems (IFS)
• Intuitive Eating
• Life Coaching
• Mindfulness and Meditation
• Narrative Therapy

Concerns

• ADHD
• Anxiety
• Autism Spectrum Disorder
• Bereavement & Grief
• Body image
• Chronic illness
• Codependency
• Depression
• Divorce/Separation
• Eating disorders & disordered eating
• Insomnia & sleep issues
• Life purpose and meaning
• Mood Disorders
• Obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD)
• Pain Management
• Panic attacks/panic disorder
• Parenting
• Personality issues & disorders
• Relationships
• Stress management

32 years in practice

Licenses

• Occupational Therapy by Arizona Occupational Therapy Licensing Board 2014. License number OTH-005929

Degrees

• BA, English and American Literature by Brandeis University 1992
• MA, Occupational Therapy by New York University 1994

Average costs per session

$200 - $300

Payment Methods

• Sliding Scale
• Free consultation
• Credit Card
• Zelle Quick Pay
• Venmo