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Therapists answer…

Why did you become a therapist, and what motivates you to continue?

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Larissa Yossefi

Passionate Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner with experience in CBT/supportive therapy and medication management, specializing in anxiety, panic attacks and mood disorders
Online & In-Person
Why did you become a therapist, and what motivates you to continue?
I became a therapist because I am passionate about promoting mental health and witnessing transformational experiences. Making a positive difference, developing relationships with clients, and continuing to learn in the field all motivate me.
Welcome to a space where your mental well-being is my utmost priority. I am a dedicated Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner with a passion for nurturing the mental health of teenagers, women's health and adults alike. My journey in healthcare has been enriched by my experience as a Clinical Nursing Educator and Clinical Nurse Specialist where I honed my skills in medication administration and patient care. In my current role as the founder of Eliteshield Larissa Yossefi PMHNP-BC PLLC in Roslyn, NY, I take pride in offering comprehensive psychiatric evaluations and thoughtful medication management. Understanding that every individual is unique, I work closely with you and your loved ones to craft personalized treatment plans that resonate with your specific needs. Whether it's through face-to-face consultations or the convenience of telepsychiatry, my goal is to provide accessible and compassionate psychiatric services. From managing conditions like depression and anxiety to addressing behavioral symptoms and suicide risk, I am here to support you on your journey to mental wellness. Staying abreast of the latest research and evidence-based practices ensures that the care you receive is rooted in cutting-edge knowledge. Together, let's embrace a path toward healing and empowerment. My in-person addresses are: 195 PARKSIDE DR, ROSLYN HEIGHTS, NY, 11577 200 S Service Road, ROSLYN HEIGHTS, NY, 11577 842 Park Ave., New York City, NY, 10075
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James Valinoti

Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner
Online Therapy
Why did you become a therapist, and what motivates you to continue?
I became a therapist because I wanted to make a meaningful difference in people's lives and pursue a career aligned with my passion for mental health and well-being. Coming from a business background with an MBA from MIT, I felt a strong desire to transition into a field where I could directly impact individuals' lives in a profound and positive way. Psychiatry intrigued me because it addresses universal challenges that every individual faces to some extent, and I've always been fascinated by the complexities of the human brain. What motivates me to continue is the profound satisfaction I derive from helping my clients achieve their goals and witnessing their transformational growth. Hearing my clients describe our sessions as akin to having conversations with a friend over pizza fills me with immense joy and reaffirms my commitment to making a difference in their lives. My goal is to continue supporting and empowering individuals on their journey towards mental wellness, one session at a time.
I am a board-certified Psychiatric Mental health Nurse Practitioner. I treat clients across the lifespan and a sub-specialization in child and adolescents and addiction medicine. I make the experience a positive, supportive, and at times fun one. I am very clinical but I remove the "clinical feeling" from the experience. I am very client-focused and develop unique treatment plans that actually help them achieve their goals. I treat numerous areas of psychiatry including, ADHD, Depression, Anxiety, Bipolar, PTSD and Trauma, Family/Couples therapy, sleep and appetite, Schizophrenia, OCD, ODD, personality, and eating disorders and addiction. I use Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Motivational Interviewing and supportive therapy. I learn about each individual client and learn my client's "story" so as to understand where they have been, where they are, and where they need/want to go. I also get to the "why" for each client, which is oftentimes the most important question. I utilize humor and my clients engage particularly well. My clients often say I should do standup psychiatry. My clients oftentimes ask me how I know them so well. I am famous for actively listening. My clients feel they receive my clinical expertise without feeling the clinical aspects of what one may expect in psychiatry. I am highly supportive and provide relevant health education. I utilize a team-based approach. I don't speak at my clients I speak with them. Anxiety in anticipation of the "first meeting" will be replaced by feeling more relaxed, comfortable, in a better mood, and more confident after the meeting than prior to it. They can also expect that their needs will be addressed and feel they have been "heard" by me. I am different than most in this regard as I treat my patients as I would a family member, and they can definitely feel it.
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Shumeka Hill

Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner
Online Therapy
Why did you become a therapist, and what motivates you to continue?
I became a therapist to empower individuals in cultivating resilience against mental health challenges. Witnessing the transformative impact of tailored telepsychiatry services, addiction counseling, and medication-assisted treatment motivates me to continue guiding clients on their path to recovery and comprehensive healing.
Welcome! I'm Shumeka Hill, your dedicated Family Nurse Practitioner and Psychiatric Mental Health Specialist. With a compassionate heart and a steadfast commitment to your well-being, I specialize in nurturing the mental health of individuals grappling with challenges such as depression, anxiety, PTSD, and substance addiction. My approach is personalized and holistic, focusing on Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and Medication-Assisted Treatment (MAT) to craft a path to recovery that respects your unique needs. By integrating the latest evidence-based practices into our sessions—conveniently available via Zoom—I ensure that you receive care that's both effective and accessible. Beyond mental health, my expertise extends to providing comprehensive primary care, including chronic condition management and complex wound care, all while keeping your goals at the forefront. My educational journey, marked by a consistent 4.0 GPA across multiple degrees in Nursing, reflects my dedication to excellence and lifelong learning. As I work towards my Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP), my mission is to empower you through education about your health, promote independence in managing your care, and advocate for mental health advancements. Together, let's embark on a journey towards healing and hope.
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Anahita Shahbazi

Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT)
Online Therapy
Why did you become a therapist, and what motivates you to continue?
I became a therapist because of my own journey through significant personal challenges and mental health struggles. These experiences inspired me to help others find their path to healing. My innate gifts of intuition, empathy, advocacy, and curiosity have driven me to support individuals in overcoming their struggles. What motivates me to continue is witnessing the resilience and growth of my clients as they navigate their healing journeys. Seeing them break free from unhelpful patterns, build healthier relationships, and achieve personal well-being is incredibly rewarding. My commitment to providing a compassionate and effective therapeutic space fuels my dedication to this work every day.
"The purpose of life is to discover our own inherent nobility and to help others discover theirs." – Abdu'l-Bahá. My journey to becoming a therapist began with my own experience of managing mental health from a young age. This personal journey highlighted the profound power of therapy and inspired me to help others achieve similar transformations. Therapy, to me, is more than a profession—it’s my calling. Every step I take alongside my clients reaffirms the transformative power of hope, healing, and the therapeutic relationships. I have extensive experience and training in treating depression, anxiety disorders, other mood disorders, obsessive-compulsive disorder, trauma/PTSD, relationship issues, grief, and life transitions. Healing isn’t about avoiding pain; it’s about feeling safe enough to face it, embrace it, and grow from it. Much like a rose blooms despite the thorns, I believe in your ability to rise through challenges and thrive. Together, we’ll create a supportive space where you can explore, build resilience, and move confidently toward the life you envision.
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Tena Thomas

LPC
Online Therapy
Why did you become a therapist, and what motivates you to continue?
I needed therapy as an adolescent and didn't get the right care. I became a therapist to help advocate for individuals to get the help they need. Helping others reach their lightbulb moments and make changes in their lives motivates me to continue working with clients.
I'm Tena, a licensed counselor in Arizona, New Mexico, and Pennsylvania. I started Sunridge Counseling in 2022 and have been providing therapy since 2016. I received my master's degree in Professional Counseling in 2016 and went on to work with teens, adults, and families struggling with trauma, anxiety, neurodiversity, and depression. I am EMDR trained and certified in TF-CBT. When I'm not with clients, I enjoy spending time with my dogs, reading, going to the gym, and hiking. If you are struggling with anxiety, depression, or need help coping with a traumatic event, you have come to the right place. What if you could not only manage your anxiety, but experience much less of it? Imagine if you could understand yourself better, be more comfortable in your relationships, and create a meaningful life beyond trauma. I'm here to accept you as you are, while we develop and work towards your goals. I tailor all treatments to your needs and offer EMDR, CBT, TF-CBT and DBT. I know change is hard, but I'm here to walk with you you every step of the way. Contact me to set up a free consultation.
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Lisa Papiez

Licensed Professional Counselor
Online Therapy
Why did you become a therapist, and what motivates you to continue?
During my college years, I found a deep passion in helping others and building genuine relationships. I feel honored and privileged to be a positive support to others during trying times. 
What could the best version of yourself look like? By creating a safe, nurturing environment built on empathy, compassion and trust, together we will identify coping skills, establish healthy boundaries and reframe negative self talk. Together we will work on identifying more confident and healthy life choices. I would be honored to support you through your journey of self awareness and self empowerment. I graduated from Oakland University with a Masters degree in Counseling and a Post Masters Specialization in School Counseling. I earned my Bachelors degree in Sociology. I am a Nationally Certified Counselor. I have 15 years experience working with adolescents and adults . I enjoy working with a variety of clients and I approach each individual with compassion, empathy and unconditional positive regard. I find it important to create a nurturing environment that assists my clients with reaching their full potential.  I work on empowering my clients, while gently challenging them to promote emotional and mental healing. I take a Client Centered, Solution Focused approach while utilizing Cognitive Behavioral Therapy. Making the decision to start therapy is often not easy but you do not need to struggle alone.