Michelle Barahman, PhD
Message from Michelle
My goal is to help make this process lighter, more approachable, and more satisfying. I consider the cultural factors that shape your individual and collective experiences, across the spectrum of age, ethnicity, physical or mental ability, sexual orientation and gender identity. As your psychologist, I create a safe space to heal, reflect, and deepen insight. Sometimes the goal is to break out of patterns that have had you feeling stuck for a long time; other times the goal is to decrease painful emotions or fix a problem in the here-and-now. Regardless of what brought you here, my role is to promote understanding and help relieve your pain– whatever its source. We will tailor treatment to your individual needs in a thoughtful, collaborative manner that helps you connect more intimately with yourself and others. We will be deliberate and flexible in our approach, integrating the most appropriate theoretical methods for you with the best evidence-based practices, always keeping in mind your needs and feedback. Whether you’re a military veteran or a frontline healthcare worker, an emerging adult or a senior citizen, I will aid you in managing life transitions, aging and development, anxiety and mood disorders, work and relationship problems, as well as both physical and mental illness. In my free time, I volunteer as a supervisor to therapists in the provision of mental health services to refugee migrants, and serve on a medical advisory board for children and families coping with cancer diagnoses. For a decade, I served as a board trustee advocating for individuals suffering from chronic pain. I currently work in both New York and California, providing telehealth and in-person therapy depending on your needs. Please feel free to message me and let’s see if we are a good fit!
About Michelle's practice
Weekdays 9am - 5pm
Weekdays After 5pm
$$$
Sliding scale
Directive
Reflective
Body-based
In-person available: Yes
Virtual available: Yes
ADD/ADHD
Anxiety
Anger
Career-Related Stress
Chronic Illness
Depression
Life Transitions
Pregnancy-Related Stress
Out of network providers
CA + 1 more
Why state matters
Get to Know Michelle
"“Dr. Barahman didn’t change my life for me; she gave me the tools I needed to change it myself.”"
Ivan A., Client
Is there ever a time when you would encourage me to leave or graduate? Or how do I know when it's time to end or move on, or time to stay and explore more?
As a psychologist, one of my goals is to help you achieve your desired outcomes in therapy. However, a successful therapy outcome also includes ensuring that you complete or graduate from therapy when you are ready. To encourage you to finish therapy, I will start by discussing your goals and expectations for therapy during the initial sessions. I will also provide you with an overview of the therapy process, including the estimated duration and frequency of sessions. I believe that having clear expectations and an understanding of the therapy process can help you feel more invested in your treatment and more motivated to complete it. I will also check in with you regularly to monitor your progress and discuss any concerns or challenges that may arise during therapy. By maintaining open and honest communication with you, I can address any issues that may be interfering with your motivation to continue therapy and provide you with the support and guidance you need to overcome these obstacles. Let's do this!
Where did you work before going into private practice?
In addition to private practice, I continue to work at the San Diego VA Healthcare system as a psychologist in the Primary Care-Mental Health Integration Program. Prior to that, I treated graduate students, postdoctoral fellows, and resident trainees at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center’s Sloan Kettering Institute (SKI), Gerstner Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, and Office of Graduate Medical Education. I also volunteer with several organizations, including The Refugee Health Alliance and A Moment of Magic; I was previously a Board Member for the Fibromyalgia Care Society of America. I have experience working at a broad array of settings ranging from outpatient to inpatient, and partial in between!
Are there any philosophies or values that inform your work that I should know about?
I value empathy and compassion and strive to understand my clients' experiences and perspectives without judgment. I believe in the humanistic approach, which emphasizes the importance of the individual's subjective experience and self-determination. I also use the cognitive-behavioral approach to help my clients identify and modify negative thought patterns and behaviors that may be contributing to their problems. Furthermore, I embrace the value of cultural humility in my practice. I recognize the limitations of my own cultural perspective and seek to learn from and about other cultures without assuming superiority. I strive to understand my clients' cultural backgrounds, beliefs, and values and incorporate this knowledge into my therapeutic approach. By acknowledging and embracing the unique cultural perspectives of my clients, I create a more collaborative and empowering therapy experience that respects and honors your individuality.