I founded Lala Psychotherapy with the belief that everyone deserves a space where they feel heard, understood, and supported. My vision was to create a practice that provides compassionate, high-quality mental health care while staying connected to the needs of the community we serve, including many individuals and families in Staten Island. My work in mental health began even before graduating from Hunter College School of Social Work in 2002. Early in my career, I worked in a geriatric clinic supporting elderly individuals from the former Soviet Union community. This experience shaped my understanding of how culture, family, and life transitions influence emotional well-being. Throughout my career, I have worked as a medical social worker in healthcare settings, supporting individuals and families coping with chronic illness, complex medical conditions, and co-occurring mental health and substance use challenges. I have also worked with MICA clients and in community clinics serving individuals facing long-term mental health conditions. My clinical approach has been further shaped by advanced training at Metropolitan Institute for Psychoanalytic Psychotherapy and Ackerman Institute for the Family, where I deepened my work in psychodynamic and family-based therapy. Through Lala Psychotherapy, I am proud to lead a team dedicated to providing thoughtful, evidence-based care in a welcoming environment where individuals, children, and families can feel supported as they navigate life’s challenges and move toward growth and resilience.