First, take a deep breath and give yourself credit. Getting this far has taken a lot of courage and personal strength!
Inclusive Family Counseling is a therapy collective serving individuals, families, and organizations in the NY area. Learn more about our model as a therapy collective here.
Now, let us tell you a little about who we are here at IFC.
Heather Zawislak, MA, LCSW, PMH-C
I am a strong believer in the power of talk. Talking heals. Many people shy away from connecting with a therapist because they feel they have plenty of support from friends, family, and even co-workers - why would they need a therapist? While I agree that the support from loved ones is essential to a happy and healthy life, the benefit of a counselor is having an uninvolved ear, an unbiased, and non-judgmental person who can help the individual look at their life in ways a friend or family member may not be able to within the scope of a personal relationship. I have always felt that the relationship between client and therapist has the potential to be one of the most positive and empowering ones for an individual. Whether you want to talk about your childhood, your current life situation, or make plans and set goals for your future, I can promise you a warm, caring environment and empathetic ear.
As a trauma specialized therapist I work closely with survivors of trauma and abuse process their experiences and regain mastery of their lives and bodies. I have extensive experience in treating trauma in adults, adolescents, and young children and began my social work career treating children who have experienced sexual abuse, assault, incest, and more. I work with the survivor and their non-offending family members to help rebuild control, confidence, support, and a healthy sense of self. I also provide EMDR therapy which is a trauma specific modality that works to support the brain in reprocessing traumatic events or experiences and relieves distress by encouraging healthy adaptive processing.
Another passion of mine is fertility, pregnancy, and postpartum. I know that the decision to become a parent is not usually taken lightly and the road to getting there can be challenging and traumatic for some. Options like IVF can be emotionally and physically draining, losses can be paralyzing - I can help support you through this chapter and any others that may arise. As a parent, I know first hand the trials of pregnancy and postpartum and what mental health struggles can come along with this new chapter of life. I can help you process through the thoughts and feelings (even the ugly ones), and help you regain a sense of self again. Becoming a parent can bring up a lot of unresolved trauma, let me help you navigate it so you can be your healthiest and happiest self for you and your family. Certification by Postpartum Support International has allowed me to specialize even more into providing care for the pregnant population and their loved ones.
I believe in teamwork in setting goals and reaching them. You are not alone and you are important - I work with my clients to help them establish tools and coping skills that feel comfortable and in line with who they are as individuals. You have the resilience and strength to overcome any obstacle and I will be there every step of the way of your journey. If you are ready to embark on living your best life but feel you may need a little extra support, I can help!
Adam Birkenstock, LCSW
Change isn’t always easy, but it’s a fact of life. I believe that one of the greatest gifts we can give ourselves is a place to embrace change and all its challenges. Therapy and coaching can be just that - a space to try on new ideas, brainstorm a new approach, and confront challenges in a safe, supportive environment.
No two problems are the same, and I believe strongly in treating you as uniquely as anyone else. We’ll work together to define the challenges you face, develop the skills and strategies to overcome them, and create a pathway for you to grow into your best self. I offer psychotherapy to adults, families, couples, and adolescents, as well as career coaching, and management consultation to nonprofit organizations looking to improve the ways they help others. I work hard to create a welcoming, open, and forward-moving space for you to do your best work.
As a Licensed Clinical Social Worker with over a decade of experience, I consider myself a compassionate and skilled therapist dedicated to helping individuals navigate the challenges of anxiety, depression, and life transitions. With a solid foundation in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and mindfulness, I employ an eclectic style, integrating evidence-based practices to tailor my approach to each client's unique needs. I have a special commitment to LGBTQ wellness and take an inclusive and affirming approach, creating a safe space for individuals to explore their identities and address unique challenges they may face. The majority of my career has focused on addiction treatment, assessment, and recovery. Recovery is complex, and I assist clients in building resilience, coping skills, and fostering a sense of empowerment in their recovery journey. No two paths are the same – I’m here to help you find your own best path and the best tools to clear the way. Reach out today for a free conversation to see if we’re a good fit!
Just as you’re working to improve your life and circumstances, I work to stay current with the latest research and therapeutic modalities. This dedication ensures that my clients receive the most effective and up-to-date interventions, maximizing the impact of your therapeutic journey. My approach is grounded in empathy, warmth, and a deep respect for each client's unique experiences. Therapy is collaborative, and I work to foster a strong therapeutic alliance where clients feel heard, understood, and empowered to make positive changes in their lives.
Beyond individual therapy, I offer consultation and supervision services, drawing on over a decade of experience in individual, group, and family care as well as nonprofit and community service. My knowledge base includes nonprofit strategic planning, where I collaborate with organizations to enhance their impact and effectiveness in the community. A passionate advocate for social emotional learning, I recognize the importance and long history of emotional intelligence in helping students to develop into healthy adults. Through my work as a nonprofit administrator, I’ve had the good fortune to consult with school districts, human service agencies, and individuals in private practice. Let’s talk about how we can help improve your workplace!
I am also an experienced professional educator of over 7 years, providing training and seminars to school-based staff, behavioral health professionals, medical staff, and community members on topics from building healthy family communication to best practices in treating addiction. My trainings are dynamic, interactive, and focus on practicable information you can bring into your next session, class period, patient interaction, or meeting. From 30 minutes to 4 hours, I aim to be a flexible presenter and pride myself on making meaningful connections and delivering important information. I also offer supervision services to consult on education and presentation sessions as well.
Navigating a new career, new position, or new challenge at work can be daunting. No matter the depth of our experience, we’re bound to run into issues that have us stuck, or worse - falling behind. You’re not alone! We all face challenges. What matters is how we face them.
I believe that every person has the potential for success, in their career and in their lives. I bring over a decade of experience in nonprofit management, vocational counseling, personal and job coaching, and employee assistance work to the table during coaching and consultation. If you’re looking to build the work-life balance you’ve dreamed of while moving ahead in your career, reach out today for a meeting.
Over more than a decade in nonprofit management, I’ve seen (and done) a lot: navigated mergers and splits, built and staffed new programs, conducted strategic plans, developed budgets, forged meaningful relationships with funders and stakeholders, strengthened morale and cohesion, and more. My experience is hard won, but yours doesn’t have to be.
Through my work in employee assistance and communtiy mental health, I’ve helped dozens of organizations build stronger programs, healthier workplaces, and cohesive teams. I offer consultation services through on-site and virtual trainings, leadership meetings, staff development seminars, and single-session advisement. If your agency needs support, reach out today for a consultation.
Unlike a group practice, in which a practice owner employs other clinicians, directs their practice, and receives a cut of their income, IFC clinicians are all independent practitioners in charge of their own work. We believe that quality care comes from strong therapists working together on an even playing field.
All IFC clinicians sign an agreement to allow for coordination of care, collaboration, and supervision to ensure every member (and every client) has access to the skills and support of every other member. As part of intake, we ask our clients to sign a similar agreement acknowledging that we will work collaboratively on your care.
Our members are committed to upholding a high ethical standard in their practice. IFC clinicians agree to the following principles of practice:
To abide by the code of ethics associated with their professional license (the NASW, ACA, AAMFT, APA, and similar) as well as the guidelines of the NYS Office of Professions.
To safeguard the confidentiality, well being, and dignity of their clients.
To respect, accept, and affirm all people; To work with cultural humility, to advocate for, and to defend people of color, LGBTQQIA+ people, elders, youth, disabled people, and people of all ages, nationalities, ethnicities, religions, sexes and genders.
To, in the course of treating clients, utilize appropriate evidence-based or evidence-supported whenever possible.
To collaborate openly and often with peers to provide quality care to clients, and to advance their own learning and practice through collaboration, supervision, and trainings.