I am a licensed clinical psychologist who works with older adolescents and adults of all ages, primarily in individual psychotherapy. I practice mainly through a psychodynamic, relational lens: I hold that our primary relationships through our development shape our minds and lay down patterns of relating well into adulthood, often leaving us with troubling symptoms and psychological barriers to creating and living fulfilling lives. I also incorporate into my work humanistic-existential and cognitive behavioral therapy. I have training and experience working with people who are dealing with substance use issues, anxiety, depression, trauma, stress, relationship issues, and more. I work with persons diverse in race, gender, sexuality, class, ethnicity, and country of origin, reflecting our greater New York City community well.
My work with individuals begins with establishing an emotionally safe space in which we can explore what brings you into therapy. We then tailor our work to your specific issues and needs, be they contemporary stressors, long-standing relics of the past, or both. We may discover core conflicts, psychic remnants of past relationships and experiences, that contribute to your current symptoms or appear as self-defeating patterns in your work, social, and romantic relationships. Re-working these past struggles and events, sometimes traumatic, with support, insight, and compassion can help release you from feeling emotionally trapped to have greater freedom and authorship in your life. We will not only focus on the past, but we may encounter here-and-now struggles, at times right in the consulting room, between us, that can allow for emotional healing and great change in how you relate to yourself and others -- I may also grow through such encounters -- as therapy is a journey on which we travel together. We will also work on further developing your strengths, recognizing your unique voice, and bolstering healthy coping so that you can better manage distress and life’s challenges in the future.
As a supervisor, I am committed to supporting your professional development and meeting you where you are at in your training - respecting your voice and aspirations. It is an honor to be part of your journey. Our work together will include reflecting deeply on the therapeutic process - the subtle dynamics of transference and countertransference, the challenges that can arise, and more. My goal is to create a warm, empathetic, supportive space where we can unpack the complexity of clinical encounters with curiosity and care. I look forward to fostering your continued growth, and to helping you build the skills and confidence you need to flourish as a compassionate, insightful clinician.
I look forward to beginning the therapeutic journey with you!
Poster Presentations
Hovsepian, V. (June, 2018). Na zdorovia!: How former Soviet Union immigrants view alcohol use. Poster presented at the Graduate Research Forum at the Chicago School of Professional Psychology, Chicago, IL.
Hovsepian, V. & Samson, K.P. (July, 2017). Flashpoint: Descent into dissociation. Poster presented at the Comic Arts Conference, San Diego, CA.
Hovsepian, V. & Jones, K. (February, 2017). Overcoming trauma in adolescent sexual identity development. Poster presented at the sExploration Conference: Ageless: Exploring Sexuality Across the Lifespan at The Chicago School of Professional Psychology, Chicago, IL.
Hovsepian, V., Jacob, A., Jones,K., Pike, D., & Renteria, R. (March, 2016). Unpacking gender stereotypes within the media. Presentation at the sExploration Conference: Sexnology at The Chicago School of Professional Psychology, Chicago, IL.
Hovsepian, V., Jacob, A., Jones,K., Pike, D., & Renteria, R. (March, 2016). Gender stereotypes in the media: A male and female perspective. Poster presented at the sExploration Conference: Sexnology at The Chicago School of Professional Psychology, Chicago, IL.
Hovsepian, V. (June, 2015). Fundamentalist mindset in family systems and impact on substance use. Poster presented at the Graduate Research Forum at the Chicago School of Professional Psychology, Chicago, IL.