Gina Polesetsky (she/her)

The end of a partnership can be painful, but it can also be an opportunity for growth as we reflect on the past, re-evaluate our needs, and explore new possibilities for our future. High-conflict divorce can be uniquely painful and can drag out over an extended period, making it even more challenging to move past the pain of the separation. When children are involved, it becomes even more important to obtain perspective and support in order to minimize the stress on the family system.

While anxiety can become a habit in which we become stuck in our body’s danger response system, despite the lack of any true danger, it can be unlearned and managed. When anxiety becomes more frequent and forceful, it’s important to learn the skills you need to reclaim your peace. How that is accomplished is tailored to your needs and strengths, but can include: talk therapy, ACT, CBT (cognitive behavioral therapy) techniques, breathwork, grounding exercises, and mindfulness.

Traumatic experiences, such as physical, emotional, & sexual abuse, neglect, cultural, gendered, and racial trauma, and growing up in a chaotic or stressful family, are stressful events that can exceed our ability to cope. We move on as best we can from these experiences, but often find that we continue to struggle which can show up in our lives as emotional dysregulation, anxiety, upsetting memories, fear, difficulties in establishing trust, or unsatisfying relationships.

EMDR is an extensively researched, effective psychotherapy method proven to help people recover from trauma and other distressing life experiences, including PTSD, anxiety, depression, and panic disorders. EMDR therapy does not require talking in detail about the distressing issue or completing homework between sessions. Rather than focusing on changing the emotions, thoughts, or behaviors resulting from the distressing issue, EMDR allows the brain to resume its natural healing process.

I am trained in the Gottman Method for couple’s work and incorporate that along with other modalities to meet the unique needs of the client, if you are coming to work on relationship issues individually, or clients, if you are seeking couple’s counseling. I am LGBTQIA + affirmative, welcome all relationship styles, and am also available to work with couples who are preparing for marriage.

ACT is an action-oriented approach with the aim to stop avoiding, denying, and struggling with inner emotions and, instead, accept that these deeper feelings are appropriate responses to certain situations that should not prevent us from moving forward in our lives. ACT incorporates mindfulness techniques which work on bringing our full focus into the present moment to find a sense of calm. Mindfulness is also a practice of self-compassion that can powerfully impact our overall well-being.