Howard Bernstein,LCP

Hello, I am a clinical psychologist with over 20 years of experience treating anxiety, depression, anger problems, and relationship, job-related, and aging-related issues. I work part-time in a NY State Clinic outpatient clinic with psychiatric outpatients and have also helped NYC bus and train operators overcome work-related trauma and phobic reactions. I was born and raised in Brooklyn, graduated from Columbia University, and currently reside in Manhattan. I primarily employ Cognitive Behavioral Therapy approaches to help individuals manage problems and stressors in the present by improving and teaching new skills and ways of viewing themselves and their environments. I wish you good luck in your journey toward making your life better.

I use Cognitive Behavioral Therapy techniques and stress management, relaxing breathing, as well as anger management and assertiveness techniques to help people more effectively overcome stressors and barriers in their lives and improve their relationships with others. My specialties include anxiety, panic attacks, phobias, depression, and relationship issues. I also treat older individuals and individuals experiencing psychotic symptoms who are under the care of a psychiatrist.

I help people who are seeking to overcome anxiety, panic, depression, relationship problems, and loneliness or who wish to improve their self-esteem. I also treat individuals facing the challenges of aging or serious mental illness. Typical goals of my patients include mastering panic and fear, feeling happier, being more assertive, controlling emotionsanger better, and feeling better about themselves in general.

My communicative style is supportive and direct- I have been described as 'down to earth and experienced. I am an active listener and believe that all of us have the capacity to make our lives better and feel better, happier, and less afraid.

I have always been interested in helping others. I have a bachelor's Degree in Psychology from Columbia University and a Doctorate (Psy.D.) in Clinical Psychology from Yeshiva University. I have varied clinical and forensic experience (I've done expert witness testimony in Family Court, Brooklyn).

Some examples of progress that clients of mine have made include: eliminating social phobias or situation-specific panic attacks, feeling happier, increasing activities, being able to change jobs, asserting themselves better in relationships, and controlling problematic impulses like anger better.

During our first session, I will sensitively ask for background information and information about what a patient wants to get from psychotherapy. My suggestions for the direction that treatment should take and goals, both short and long-term, will be discussed. In some situations, I might make some suggestionsrecommendations about alleviating immediate stressors.