About Us

Gara Steinfeld, M.A. Ed.M, LMHC, LPC, CSAT Certified eating disorder coach

When asked what made me choose this career I say “I didn’t choose it- it chose me”.

I studied psychology at Florida State University, never changing my major once. I also studied criminology. Many of these classes were my favorite because they focused on deviance and the people who don’t conform to the straight and narrow. These are my people. Because choosing authenticity and healing is rebellious.

The courage it takes to let go of dysfunctional behaviors and addictions is insurmountable. I am more proud of my healing than I am my two master’s degrees from an Ivy League school.

I studied holistic wellness at NYU and received a master’s degree in counseling psychology and a masters degree in education from Columbia University. I also studied mindfulness at a mindful recovery center in Thailand, Gestalt at Esalen Institute, trauma treatment with Bessel Van Der Kolk at Kripalu, Pia Mellody’s Post Induction Therapy, and sex addiction with IITAP (the international institute for trauma and addiction professionals). The list goes on.

My approach is compassionate, nonjudgmental, and empowering.

I am not the type of therapist or coach that is going to simply say “how does that make you feel” and nod silently as you talk the entire session completely disconnected from your body and then send you on your way. Nope. That’s not what you’re going to get here so if that’s what you’re looking for, you got the wrong one.

I am going to hold you accountable, tell you the truth in a loving, easily digestible way so that we can address and heal unresolved childhood wounds. There is a somatic component to this work, meaning that we include the body (this is where trauma is stored and where we experience emotions as sensations). It’s experiential in nature, meaning sometimes we get a little weird and you may find yourself talking to an empty chair or your “inner child”. I promise there’s a method to the madness.

Arielle Lazar, MSW, Registered Clinical Social Work Intern

Arielle is a Master’s level clinician and Registered Clinical Social Work Intern specializing in treating addiction, PTSD/CPTSD, anxiety, depression, and codependency. She received her MSW from Barry University’s School of Social Work in Miami, FL, where she was educated in the neurobiological infrastructure of trauma. She completed her clinical practicum in co-occurring disorders in inpatient residential and partial hospitalization treatment programs.

Arielle uses trauma-focused modalities, such as EMDR, Inner-Child Work, Gestalt, and DBT. Her training in EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) has provided Arielle with the ability to help her clients access the innate healing nature of their bodies and subconscious in ways that conventional talk therapy cannot.

Her aim is to use her skills to help her clients tap into the power within and sustain a healthier way of being. Arielle believes that therapy is not about delving into the past in detail but uncovering the ways the past has continued to live inside us and show up in the present. Arielle will work with you where you’re at and provide a unique experience that is specific to your needs. Sometimes this means getting uncomfortable and facing some painful thoughts and feelings, but you will never leave her office feeling dysregulated or unsupported. Her approach is sincere, warm-hearted, and authentic. She will provide you with a secure space to uncover, understand, and truly heal.

Amber Sutliff, mental health counselor 

Amber Sutliff, M.Ed, RMHCI

 

Hi, I’m Amber! I am a pre-licensed mental health counselor passionate about assisting others in recognizing their worth. I am passionate about treating trauma because I know how a traumatic past can warp someone’s perception and convince them they are not the person they are truly capable of being. When someone is living in this state of fight or flight, they tend to turn to self-sabotage to prove their negative core beliefs “right”. I believe that the goal of therapy is helping someone recognize that pattern so that they can change it. 

 

I consider myself a total therapy nerd and when I am not in sessions, I love to find any trainings and seminars I can. I have done trainings in EMDR, somatic experiencing, psychodrama, IFS, and DBT. My approach is through an experiential lens, meaning that I believe healing comes from reconnecting with the version of our self who experienced trauma. The goal is to learn to build trust again, both within our self and for others. This involves listening to our bodies, trusting in our ability to sit with the emotions we’ve been afraid to feel, and rebuild our relationships (especially the relationship with the self!)

 

I work with adolescents and adults who have learned to cope with trauma through maladaptive behaviors, including those with eating disorders, body image distress, self-harm, codependency/relational distrust, substance use, obsessions/compulsions, depression, and anxiety. 

 

I pursued my bachelor’s degree in psychology from Florida Atlantic University where I returned and obtained my masters in clinical mental health counseling. I have worked in residential, partial hospitalization, and intensive outpatient settings for those with eating disorders, substance use, and mood/psychotic disorders, where I learned to recognize the effects of complex trauma and the symptoms that manifest as a result. 

 

I am a firm believer that everyone deserves help. I am going to encourage my clients to push themselves to recognize how they are carrying their past with them so that they can challenge those patterns and work towards the future they deserve. 

Christopher Collins, Therapist 

RCSWI MCAP EMDR Trained, Certified Sex Addiction (CSAT) Candidate

I’m Chris Collins, a pre-therapist specializing in trauma recovery, addiction, and Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR). Having had the privilege of working in addiction and trauma recovery for years, I can’t not do what I do – knowing what I know. 

My approach is rooted in empathy, compassion, and a genuine desire to create a safe space for exploration and growth. EMDR has been a transformative tool in my practice, allowing clients to process and integrate their traumatic memories in a gentle and effective way. I have witnessed the power of this therapy in helping individuals move beyond their past and find freedom from the constraints of addiction/trauma. Chris also has specialized training to work with clients who struggle with compulsive sexuality through IITAP (the International Institute for Trauma and Addiction Professionals). 

In our sessions, I work collaboratively with clients, tailoring my approach to their specific needs and goals. Together, we explore the impact of trauma on their mental, emotional, spiritual, and physical well-being. Then we begin to develop strategies to promote healing, resilience, and self-empowerment.

Creating a safe and trusting therapeutic relationship is of utmost importance to me. I strive to provide a non-judgmental and validating environment where clients can feel heard, understood, and supported. Sometimes we are standing right up against the painting – trying to figure out what is going on. I look at therapy as a way to help you take a few steps back so you can begin seeing the larger picture. I believe that healing is a collaborative process, and I am committed to working side by side with my clients to help them reclaim their lives and create a future that they want.