Raydale Soman (Blaylock) , LCSW
Message from Raydale
Growth and change is necessary to reach your full potential and live your best quality of life. Whether you are struggling with the constant demands managing a chronic medical condition, suffering from an emotional injury that hinders your ability to fulfill long lasting healthy relationships with the people you love, or stress related to racial injustice, I am here to provide a safe, non-judgmental space where you process these experiences. I use a strengths based and empowerment approach to help individuals overcome obstacles and develop the confidence needed to face problems. We will work collaboratively to develop a plan of treatment that meets your needs. I will draw from cognitive and behavioral methods and motivational and solution focused therapies to help my clients reach their goals. Years of working with individuals of all ages managing chronic illness has helped me cultivate a great amount of compassion and empathy for those seeking to enhance his or her quality of life. It takes courage to ask for help. I look forward to learning what changes you most desire in your life, and working together to help you reach your full potential.
About Raydale's practice
Weekends 9am - 5pm
Weekdays 9am - 5pm
Weekdays After 5pm
$$$
Sliding scale
Directive
Reflective
Body-based
In-person available: Yes
Virtual available: Yes
Women's Obstacles
Race-Related Stress
Post-Partum Depression
Pregnancy-Related Stress
Pregnancy
Life Transitions
Anxiety
Oxford
Oscar
Aetna
Optum
United / Oxford
NY + 1 more
Why state matters
Get to Know Raydale
Are there any philosophies or values that inform your work that I should know about?
I am a therapist who believes every client has strengths. I like to start off by getting to know my clients, learning what his or her reason is for seeking therapy, and understanding the goals they wish to accomplish. I like to affirm my clients for having the courage to seek therapy as I know it is not an easy step to take. Together, we will develop a plan to achieve their goals and cultivate change. I encourage feedback from the client to learn what they find most helpful and I motivate them to execute what they learn in session outside of session through homework assignments.
What led you to become a mental healthcare practitioner?
During my senior year of high school in February of 2005, I had the privilege of traveling to South Africa to learn about the impact HIV and AIDS had on the population and its disproportionate effect on the persons of color residing there. This experience opened my eyes to the complexities of living with chronic medical conditions and the unique psychological impact HIV and AIDS have on people of color (not only in South Africa but also in the United States). I desired to learn more about this condition and developed a strong interest in HIV prevention. This eventually led to my work with children and adults living with HIV. In addition, quality of life has always been of great importance to me. I chose a career in social work to gain the skills necessary to help enhance the quality of life in individuals suffering and to help them create the life they wish to live. In addition to chronic health conditions, I have been drawn to working with individuals with anxiety and trauma.