Elliot S. Spengler

Reaching out for help is a courageous and important step. My goal is to provide you a non-judgmental and culturally affirming space where you can safely explore your emotional worlds - both past and present. After all, we’re all human and don’t go through life unscathed. My hope is that therapy will serve as a space to empower you to deepen your relationship with yourself, better understand your relational patterns, and live a life that aligns with what truly matters to you. I view mental health through a holistic (i.e., biopsychosocial), relational, and trauma-informed lens. With advanced training in evidence-based modalities like Emotionally Focused Couple Therapy, Gottman Method, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, Cognitive Processing Therapy, and experiential psychodynamic approaches, I collaborate with clients to tailor my therapeutic approach to the context of their unique experiences and goals. About My Training As a licensed psychologist, I hold a doctoral-level degree that required 6 years of advanced coursework and clinical training beyond undergraduate, as well as a yearlong intensive clinical internship and 2 years of post-doctoral training. My doctoral training (University of Tennessee-Knoxville) emphasized understanding each person within their sociocultural context, operating from a platform of cultural humility myself, and being an advocate alongside my clients. My postdoctoral fellowship (University of Rochester Medical Center) focused on the interaction of our minds, bodies, and social worlds and deepened my toolkit to better harness the mind-body connection. I am an active researcher that looks into effective mental health care, clinical judgment, and couple therapy. I also value giving back to the community and the field, including serving as the regional representative to the New York State Psychological Association and being on the Play Maker Leadership Council at the Strong Museum of Play. I have extensive training in a wide variety of clinical settings, including a family medicine clinic, an inpatient substance treatment center, an inpatient state hospital, university health centers, community mental health clinics, and private practice. For couple therapy, I have advanced-level training in Emotionally Focused Couple Therapy (Core Skills) and Gottman Method (Level 1).