Lea Schupak, LMHC, PMH-C
Psychotherapy in New York, NY
Hello, I'm Lea Schupak,
(she/her/hers)
a licensed psychotherapist based in New York City.
Office for in-person sessions | Upper West Side of Manhattan
Telehealth in New York State & Vermont
917-300-8254
About Lea.
​Lea Schupak (pronouns: she / her), LMHC, PMH-C is a licensed therapist.
Lea obtained her counseling psychology training at Columbia University. In addition to the rigorous education, clinical work, and supervision required for licensure as a therapist in New York State, Lea completed additional training specific to perinatal mental health (covering the conception, pregnancy, and postpartum stages in the life of mothers, fathers, and LGBTQ+ community members). She is a certified perinatal mental health professional (PMH-C), and member of the Women's Mental Health Consortium and the Society for Mother Studies. Her writings on the topic of motherhood, loss, and psychotherapy have recently been published in the Journal of the Motherhood Initiative, a leading peer-reviewed scholarly publication specialized in the topic of motherhood studies and research.
While Lea sees patients for a wide range of issues including depression and anxiety, her practice has a particular focus on women's mental health in the prenatal / postpartum period, grief and loss, as well as relationship / couples issues and family dynamics. She also works with many new fathers adjusting to parenthood.
Having lived in four different countries, Lea is also familiar with the unique challenges faced by international / bicultural individuals and expat families adjusting to life in New York. She is bilingual and can conduct sessions in French for the francophone community in New York.
Lea is available to see patients in person as well as through a HIPAA compliant telehealth platform to ensure privacy and confidentiality. Her office is conveniently located on the Upper West Side, in Manhattan. Lea also holds a license to practice teletherapy with residents of Vermont.
Therapeutic Approach.
There are many reasons that may lead a person to seek therapy. None of us go through life unaffected by its many complexities. This is no weakness: it's part of being human. Life often has a way of making us feel alone, misunderstood, or strange. Situations arise that make us feel unloved, empty, disconnected, or isolated. This can be changed. I work collaboratively, and come from a place of deep respect and empathy. My goal is that each person feels safe, seen, and heard.
My therapeutic orientation is psychodynamic, emotion-focused, with cognitive-behavioral elements. I tailor the therapy to the person's individual needs, as everyone's personal history is unique. Generally speaking, I practice talk therapy -- listening with a "third ear" without judgment, to uncover patterns, stories, feelings that are perhaps unconscious, or dormant. My clinical experience and training at Columbia University confirmed my belief that our past shapes who we are, and that the quality of our relationships is central to our wellbeing. While I listen to present concerns and issues that bring one to therapy, I also pay great attention to relational dynamics and relational needs, important figures in a person's life, inner conflicts, past experiences, and the person's coping mechanisms.
The 'symptoms' that often bring a person to psychotherapy are usually the mind and body's messages that *something* is requiring our attention. Insight alone, while tremendously cathartic, is often not enough to create real, tangible change for many people. We're relational and social beings at heart -- this is central to a lot of issues and anxieties, but is also the key to transformation, resolution, healing, and change. I approach these problems with curiosity and compassion for the individual, and remain attuned to your personal goals throughout this journey.
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Practice Focus.
While I routinely work with people struggling with anxiety and / or depression, below is a list of challenges or themes that I am especially successful at working with and improving.
TTC, Pregnancy, Postpartum
If you find yourself struggling with conception, fertility, or through pregnancy and the postpartum period, let's speak. The perinatal period can come with a multitude of unexpected challenges, including loss, relationship problems, anxiety about breastfeeding, birth trauma, and so much more. I also work with new fathers having difficulties adjusting postpartum.
Grief & Loss
Western society is ill equipped when it comes to death and loss. I am especially effective in working with early parental loss, sudden / unexpected loss, and grief following a pregnancy loss. I'm trained in Prolonged Grief Therapy (formerly known as Complicated Grief) through Columbia University. I run a group for "Motherless Daughters."
Relationship Struggles
Relationships are unavoidable. We're in constant interactions with one another, and those interactions shape our wellbeing. Relational disappointments are real. They can often occupy our entire mental space. Whether you're struggling with damaging family dynamics, dating, a "situationship", your marriage, friendships or co-workers, we can work together to identify ways to better meet your needs, communicate more effectively, and more.
Artists & Creative Individuals
Creative blocks, creative identity, interpersonal issues, self-worth, artistic confusion, achieving recognition, navigating familial / cultural conditioning surrounding your creative pursuits... and more.
Expats & International Community adjusting to life in New York
In the age of globalization, many of us ends up living far from where we were born, and far from our families. I've lived in four different countries and am particularly attuned to adaptation issues, culture clashes, dealing with distance, and the development of a new self following a major move.
Children & Adolescents
Whether you're thinking about seeking therapeutic help for your child or teen for the first time or looking for a new therapist for them, the search and process can often feel daunting. All of us want the best for our kids, and the therapeutic match is of great importance. Being a kid or a teenager in this modern world can be confusing and challenging. I work with children and their parents on improving and resolving issues such as anxiety, depression, ADHD management through behavioral strategies that we implement in the home, social skills building, low self-esteem, adjustment issues following an important life event, grief and losss, emotional regulation (dealing with big feelings, experiencing sensory overwhelm, etc), and social media preoccupation.
How I can help:
COMPREHENSIVE PERINATAL MENTAL HEALTH ASSESSMENTS & THERAPY
INDIVIDUAL THERAPY
CHILD THERAPY
COUPLES COUNSELING
TELEHEALTH IN NYS & VT
IN-PERSON THERAPY IN NYC
SESSIONS IN FRENCH OR ENGLISH
Training & Background.
Dual Masters degree in Counseling Psychology (EdM, MA) from Columbia University
Certified as a Perinatal Mental Health specialist (PMH-C) by Postpartum Support International
Advanced Graduate Certificate in Sexuality, Women, and Gender from Teachers College, Columbia University (the first New York State approved certificate program of its kind)
Certificate in Perinatal Grief & Loss, Perinatal Anxiety & Mood Disorders from Seleni Institute in New York
Training in Complicated Grief (also known as Prolonged Grief) Therapy from Columbia University School of Social Work
Candidate at the Institute for Psychoanalytic Training and Research in New York in the Child & Adolescent Program
As Seen In:
Let’s Talk.
If you are experiencing a mental health emergency, do not wait. Contact 911 immediately or go to your nearest emergency room. ​
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Crisis TextLine https://www.crisistextline.org/
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PRIVACY NOTICE
The protection of your privacy is crucial. There are inherent confidentiality risks in communicating by email and / or online submission forms. While safeguards are in place to ensure your privacy, you should not use email / online submission form methods of communication if you are concerned about any breaches of privacy that might inadvertently occur.