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Name: Dr. Kristen Cirelli
Profession: Clinical Psychologist
License Number: New York State License# 016054
Location: Manhattan
Education
Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine, Philadelphia, PA,
Doctor of Psychology (Psy. D.) Program in Clinical Psychology
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Professional experience
Fifth Avenue Center for Counseling and Psychotherapy Staff Psychologist
Psychology Postdoctoral position (8/03 – 8/04) John F. Kennedy Community Mental Health and Mental Retardation Center,
Outpatient Therapist - Dual Diagnosis unit Steininger Center for Behavioral Services,
Crisis Screener - Psychiatric Emergency Services
Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine: Center for Brief Therapy Practicum
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Clinical interests
My graduate training was in cognitive behavioral therapy which examines how one’s thoughts affect emotions and behavior. I think it is important to explore and identify these thoughts in order to make changes. My pre-doctoral and post-doctoral training was in a psychoanalytic institute which looks deeply into family dynamics, how they shape one’s life, and how one copes with life by the use of defenses. I attempt to integrate these two theories and techniques. The majority of my professional experience is in treating adults with a wide range of life problems. I treat depression, anxiety, personality disorders as well as the more severe diagnoses such as bipolar disorder and schizophrenia. Regardless of one’s diagnosis or presentation, the disorders manifest themselves in certain identifiable symptoms, but those symptoms also greatly affect the person on a social level. We all encounter psychosocial stressors that affect us greatly such as relationship conflicts, financial problems, lack of a support system, and educational deficiencies.
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Practice information
My office is located in a clinic in Manhattan. I work privately with adults in individual psychotherapy.
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Personal relationship status
I am in a relationship for over one year.
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Love-Life biography
Where do I fit in as far as my theory goes? I am happily dating a man for a little over one year. I wasn’t looking, in fact to the contrary. I was very much enjoying my independence and focusing on my career. But my partner persevered and allowed me to break down some of those walls of mine that I would claim was my “free spirit” or drive to be independent. He is a wonderful person whom I cherish very much. With him I have changed my dating pattern. Through our relationship I have learned a lot about love and about myself and have grown and changed in many positive ways as a result. In the past, with my more serious relationships, I dated men who were somehow unattainable emotionally. Forget that we probably would not have been compatible in the long run, I was subconsciously making sure I never got to the point that I found out.
I did, however, have many wonderful experiences when I was more ‘single’. I loved to date. I refrained from viewing my dating life as a quest to find the perfect man. Rather, I viewed this time in my life as a journey. Much like a roller coaster with ups and downs, never knowing what was around the turn or how fast or slow it would go – getting excited, getting scared, but all in all enjoying the ride. I felt that even the bad dating experiences gave me something important to learn from, or at the very least, laugh at.
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