Gayna Havens, Ph.D.
Clinical Psychologist
The Therapy Partnership
When you decide to seek help from a psychologist, you are taking a significant step in your life. I have years of experience in providing a safe, caring, yet challenging environment where you can take that critical step. No two clients are ever alike, so getting to know you is a key stage in our professional relationship.
My mission is to make this part of our process feel completely supportive and beneficial. It is always the client who defines success and the goals leading to its achievement.
I’ll help you capitalize on your strengths, and better understand and overcome your difficulties. Together, we will discover what works best for you in creating the life you want.
My mission is to make this part of our process feel completely supportive and beneficial. It is always the client who defines success and the goals leading to its achievement.
I’ll help you capitalize on your strengths, and better understand and overcome your difficulties. Together, we will discover what works best for you in creating the life you want.
Specializations
- Individuals
- Couples
- Group Therapy
- Substance Use
- Pregnancy Related
Tab 1
People seek help for so many reasons. Common sources of distress include depression, anxiety, self-defeating patterns, unsatisfying relationships, difficulty reaching goals and addictive behaviors.
In therapy, we will collaborate to create a highly individualized experience that addresses your particular needs and concerns. Together, we’ll explore what is currently causing you distress, with particular attention to how your thoughts, emotions and behaviors all fit together, and influence one another.
At times, it will also be important to see how some of your past experiences continue to impact your present. I’ll help you understand how you relate to other people in your life -- how you create and build relationships, including your relationship to yourself.
You will come away with insights and new strategies that will change your experience of the present for the better, and help you build a more fulfilling, authentic life.
In therapy, we will collaborate to create a highly individualized experience that addresses your particular needs and concerns. Together, we’ll explore what is currently causing you distress, with particular attention to how your thoughts, emotions and behaviors all fit together, and influence one another.
At times, it will also be important to see how some of your past experiences continue to impact your present. I’ll help you understand how you relate to other people in your life -- how you create and build relationships, including your relationship to yourself.
You will come away with insights and new strategies that will change your experience of the present for the better, and help you build a more fulfilling, authentic life.
Tab 2
Couples often seek help when they are stuck in old patterns -- having the same argument over and over, failing to address key issues or feeling generally unhappy with the relationship. It is my job to help both people find a way to communicate clearly and directly, be heard by their partner, and have productive conversations.
When a couple learns how to disrupt their counterproductive patterns, they are then free to build a functioning relationship with a shared vision and clear goals. The relationship becomes a powerful resource – a tool for solving problems and achieving those goals.
When a couple learns how to disrupt their counterproductive patterns, they are then free to build a functioning relationship with a shared vision and clear goals. The relationship becomes a powerful resource – a tool for solving problems and achieving those goals.
Tab 3
Group therapy is a powerful and unique opportunity that benefits both your personal and professional life. We all act differently in a group than we do one-to-one. The way you interact with group therapy members provides direct insight into the way you interact with the people in your life, and how you form intimate bonds. And the group setting provides a safe place for this exploration.
Group members learn to give and receive clear and functional feedback about their experience of each other. You will see yourself, and how you impact others, in fresh ways. You can practice your new skills until you reach your individual goals.
Group members learn to give and receive clear and functional feedback about their experience of each other. You will see yourself, and how you impact others, in fresh ways. You can practice your new skills until you reach your individual goals.
Tab 4
Substance use problems often impact many parts of life – relationships, work, emotions, even your view of yourself. Substance use is complex, and serves different purposes in the lives of every individual. I work from a Harm Reduction model, which respects and explores this complexity.
I will collaborate with you to help better understand the role of substances in your life, and to establish your strategies and goals. Complete abstinence may or may not be a goal, depending on you as an individual. My approach is definitely not “one-size-fits-all.” We’ll begin wherever you are in your own journey, and discover a path that’s right for you.
I will collaborate with you to help better understand the role of substances in your life, and to establish your strategies and goals. Complete abstinence may or may not be a goal, depending on you as an individual. My approach is definitely not “one-size-fits-all.” We’ll begin wherever you are in your own journey, and discover a path that’s right for you.
Tab 5
Few human experiences are as emotionally difficult as a diagnosis of a genetic disorder – either in yourself or in a fetus you are carrying. The problem is so unsettling that decision-making can seem nearly impossible. Struggling with fertility issues can be equally unsettling.
Before I became a psychologist, I worked for 12 years as a genetic counselor, and I helped hundreds of clients work through the options arising from these difficult issues. I will provide a safe and supportive environment where you can thoughtfully consider your options and find the best one for you. This process also helps you adjust to the outcome of your decision over time.
I also have extensive experience helping same-sex couples consider their pregnancy options and related issues.
Before I became a psychologist, I worked for 12 years as a genetic counselor, and I helped hundreds of clients work through the options arising from these difficult issues. I will provide a safe and supportive environment where you can thoughtfully consider your options and find the best one for you. This process also helps you adjust to the outcome of your decision over time.
I also have extensive experience helping same-sex couples consider their pregnancy options and related issues.
Bio/Contact
MY STORY
Since I was young, I have been motivated by two passions: science, and human nature. This first led me to become a genetic counselor, helping people deal with the risks of genetic diseases in themselves or their pregnancies. But after some truly inspirational mentoring, I decided to dedicate myself more fully to the human condition by pursuing my PhD in clinical psychology.
I soon discovered another passion -- working with individuals and couples impacted by substance abuse. I was moved by how earnest and determined clients are when they confront this issue. The work changes virtually every aspect of their lives, sometimes with surprising speed.
Relationships can lead both to great rewards and significant distress. So, I also help clients explore how they create relationships, and how to make them more satisfying. I did extensive postdoctoral training at the Ackerman Institute to strengthen my related skills, especially with couples.
I’ve been in private practice since 2003. My work starts by creating a respectful environment that helps clients understand their issues, and their possibilities for creating the life they want.
I soon discovered another passion -- working with individuals and couples impacted by substance abuse. I was moved by how earnest and determined clients are when they confront this issue. The work changes virtually every aspect of their lives, sometimes with surprising speed.
Relationships can lead both to great rewards and significant distress. So, I also help clients explore how they create relationships, and how to make them more satisfying. I did extensive postdoctoral training at the Ackerman Institute to strengthen my related skills, especially with couples.
I’ve been in private practice since 2003. My work starts by creating a respectful environment that helps clients understand their issues, and their possibilities for creating the life they want.
TRAINING
Education
Ph.D., Clinical Psychology, New School for Social Research
M.S., Human Genetics, Sarah Lawrence College
Advanced Training
Ackerman Institute for the Family - Postdoctoral clinical training
Smithers Addiction Treatment and Research Center - Postdoctoral Fellowship
Affiliations and Memberships
Center for Optimal Living (Andrew Tatarsky, Ph.D.)
NY State Psychological Assc. Division on Addictions - Executive Committee
Ferkauf Graduate School of Psychology - Adjunct Clinical Supervisor
System-Centered Therapy and Research Institute
New York State Psychological Association
Licensure and Certification
New York State Licensed Psychologist (015541)
Certified Genetic Counselor, American Board of Medical Genetics
Ph.D., Clinical Psychology, New School for Social Research
M.S., Human Genetics, Sarah Lawrence College
Advanced Training
Ackerman Institute for the Family - Postdoctoral clinical training
Smithers Addiction Treatment and Research Center - Postdoctoral Fellowship
Affiliations and Memberships
Center for Optimal Living (Andrew Tatarsky, Ph.D.)
NY State Psychological Assc. Division on Addictions - Executive Committee
Ferkauf Graduate School of Psychology - Adjunct Clinical Supervisor
System-Centered Therapy and Research Institute
New York State Psychological Association
Licensure and Certification
New York State Licensed Psychologist (015541)
Certified Genetic Counselor, American Board of Medical Genetics
Full CV – click here to download pdf
http://www.gaynahavens.com/
CONTACT
Gayna Havens, Ph.D.
171 East 77th St. Suite A
New York, NY 10075
212-327-0517
171 East 77th St. Suite A
New York, NY 10075
212-327-0517
Blog/Media
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