Cynthia Luft, LMHC
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Message from Cynthia
My background as a mental health professional started with a counseling class I took in college. I realized I very much liked the in depth connection with people. I earned my Master's in Counseling Psychology a few years after graduating college. I took some time to work in NYC first. I love the diversity of New York and have always enjoyed the people I meet and work with. I went on to pursue post graduate training at the C.G. Jung Institute of NY in the late 90's because I wanted to understand the workings of the personality more deeply and I was inspired by Jung's idea that we are unique individuals that can grow and change to become more of ourselves. I transfered to the Jungian Psychoanalytic Association to complete the final portion of my training. I have been working in private practice as an analytically oriented therapist since early 2000's. Among other things, that means that I engage with you to help you make sense of yourself, the patterns that get in your way, any issues from your family of origin and help you make changes that are long lasting.
About Cynthia's practice
Weekdays After 5pm
Weekdays 9am - 5pm
$$$
Directive
Reflective
In-person available: No
Virtual available: Yes
Vulnerability
Women's Obstacles
Sexual Abuse
Perfectionism
Mood
Mid-Life Crisis
Self-Esteem
Trauma
Out of network providers
NY
Why state matters
Get to Know Cynthia
""If you are interested in getting to the core issues you've been struggling with, and overcoming them, then Cynthia is the right therapist fit for you. Cynthia has been a colleague of mine for years and is my first choice when referring a client. I know she will approach each person with a keen sense of honesty, insight, dedication and empathy.""
John Mc Cabe, Colleague
From your perspective, what is therapy?
This is a big question. I think therapy is the place where we come to know ourselves, not just our immediate feelings and reactions, but really what makes us who we are at our core. It's the space to understand the workings of our personalities so that we can make better healthier choices and have a healthy relationship to ourselves and those we love. It's a place and a time to heal, to confront what needs confronting and to engage questions of meaning and purpose.
Have you received any particular training beyond your post-Bachelor's training?
Yes, I earned my Master's in Counseling Psychology and also trained as Jungian Analyst. The master's was a 2 year program and the analytic training was 8 years on a part-time basis.
How will our relationship be different than relationships I have with friends/loved ones?
For one thing, with me you have the freedom to say anything in a judgement free zone so that you can explore what most concerns you. For another, our relationship itself is meant to be therapeutic. Part of what that means is that we will discover certain ways you feel about yourself and others and relate to yourself and others through what comes up for you with me and between us when we talk. This is a doorway to a process of change.
How participatory are you during sessions?
You will find that I am very engaging during sessions. I listen deeply and empathically to understand not only what you're say at face value but also what's being communicated on other levels that may not be immediately apparent. This is a key part of my training and a primary way I engage with you. Our relationship is also an element of the therapy. The way you relate to me, react to me and engage with me will help illuminate elements of your personality that come up for you in daily life.