Marcia Ertola

Welcome! I'm Marcia Ertola, a Licensed Mental Health Counselor in NY for 1 years and 17 years of counseling prior to NY State Licensing Therapists.. I have worked with individuals, couples, families and groups across the developmental life span. In addition to working in private practice, I have worked as a school-based therapist, a special education counselor, as well as in a therapeutic boarding school for high school and college students struggling with addictions and behavioral issues. I have worked as a military family life counselor working overseas with U.S. and NATO military members and their families who come from many different racial and cultural backgrounds. I specialize in anxiety, depression, couple and family issues, relationship conflict (including parent/child), codependency, family of origin issues and Attachment Focused EMDR trauma therapy.

The heart and center of my approach is a deep and profound respect for each individual regardless of their circumstances. I provide a safe, compassionate space for you to explore and work on the issues that prevent you from living life fully. I believe that given a trusting environment, the psyche has the capacity to heal itself. I listen deeply to my clients and help them find the answers within.

I use a variety of modalities depending on individual needs and interest. We discuss various approaches and choose that which you believe will benefit you most. Together we find the approach best suited to you.

I am trained in person-centered therapy, motivational interviewing, solution focused therapy, family systems therapy (including Internal Family Systems therapy), Relational Life Therapy, Gottman couples counseling, cognitive behavioral therapy, Attachment Focused EMDR, and mindfulness.

I have an honest, open, respectful, communication style. I use active listening which includes making sure I understand from the client's point of view. Often, what is said and what is heard can be two different things, so it is important to clarify what is heard. I let my clients know that all of their feelings and opinions are important and welcome, even if they are angry or upset with me. Honest, open communication can facilitate profound understanding, hope and resolution.

My approach to therapeutic goals is to join with the client to establish what they desire and the various steps to get there. Different personality types have different ways of getting to specific outcomes. Some want a structured, organized step by step approach and others need a more open-ended approach. I work within the framework of the individual person. Indications of successful progress is when the client is amazed at the ways they are learning to empower themselves and are achieving the outcomes they desire. My goal is to put myself out of a job by no longer being needed!