Pet Bereavement Counselors:
New York
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| Ontario | |
There are literally hundreds of people who are now counseling in pet bereavement, and it is not possible for the APLB to register them all. Some hesitate to be listed in any directory, others are first discovering the benefits of this wonderful service, and many more are still unknown to us. We welcome all new applicants to contact us directly by mail or online at aplb@aplb.org. This listing is arranged according to geographical location. We are pleased that every counselor registered below is a member of the APLB.
Bellmore
William Solz, LCSW, CASAC
710A Prospect Place
Bellmore, New York 11710
Phone:
(516) 783-8358
Email:
Bsolzcsw@aol.com
Website:
www.apexcounseling.com
I am a licensed certified social worker and credentialed alcohol and substance abuse counselor, specializing in bereavement. I have been utilizing Eye Movement Desensitization Reprocessing (EMDR), Thought Field Therapy (TFT), and Developmental Needs Meeting Strategy (DNMS) to promote fast and effective symptom and stress reduction. I have also been a primary referral source for the airlines and Long Island Rail Road when their employees and family members experience a crisis or other trauma.
Brooklyn
Wallace Sife, Ph.D.
1420 Ocean Parkway, Apt. 4J
Brooklyn, New York 11230
Phone:
(718) 339-3592 or (718) 339-3592
Fax:
(718) 339-3592
Email:
Sife@aol.com
or
aplb@aplb.org
Psychologist in private practice for over 25 years — with extensive training and experience in educational psychology, brain functions, biofeedback, meditative relaxation self-help therapy, behavior modification and suicide prevention. Author of several books, including poetry, and the subjects of stroke and the loss of a pet. Pioneer in pet bereavement and founder-President of APLB. Noted lecturer, educator and counselor in pet bereavement. Activist in the movement against animal abuse.
Lansing
Mary-Hale (Toni) Andres, BA
Asbury Road
Lansing, New York 14882
Phone:
(607) 257-2213
Email:
ma36@cornell.edu
I have always been interested in the human-animal bond. As a volunteer and former co-coordinator on the Pet Loss Support Hotline at Cornell University since 1997, I have learned just how deep that bond can be. I have lived with and loved a wide variety of pets, and have worked at the College of Veterinary Medicine since 1980. My experience also includes being a volunteer in Cornell Companions, our pet therapy program for which I received additional training. I believe in letting people talk about their feelings. Listening is most important in dealing with the grief from the loss of a beloved pet. People suffering the loss of a pet must be reminded that their feelings are normal, and need qualified reassurance that their pain is valid, and that they will get better in time.
Maspeth
Barbara W. Zukowski, LCSW-R
Maspeth Psychotherapy Services
61-19 56th St.
Maspeth, New York 11378-3312
Phone:
(718) 349-2559 (after 1 PM)
Email:
BSJPilgrim@aol.com
I am a holistic psychotherapist with a thriving private practice for the Greenpoint/Williamsburg, Maspeth, Sunnyside, Ridgewood, Glendale, and Middle Village areas. I have been practicing psychotherapy exclusively for over 21 years in various settings, and specialize in the treatment of children, adolescents, and young adults, dream analysis, treatment of depression and anxiety disorders for all ages, including PTSD and trauma, creative artist’s concerns, nutraceutical consultations as they relate to mental health, as well as integrating spirituality into the treatment process when requested. In my private practice, I have provided many hours of pet loss and bereavement counseling to animal guardians of all ages.
People who lose pets go through the same stages of grief as those who experience other major and/or traumatic losses, and can be greatly aided by a skilled therapist who is sensitive to this. I have the greatest regard for the human-animal bond, and integrate this into my therapy. My calico cat April is a frequent presence in the therapy sessions I provide in a warm and relaxing environment.
New York City
Irene Javors, M.ED., LMHCA
96 Fifth Avenue, Suite 1K
New York City, New York 10011
Phone:
(212) 946-6465
Email:
ijavors@gmail.com
I am a Diplomate American Psychotherapy Association, and a Licensed Mental Health Counselor. I have been in private practice as a counselor for over 25 years, and specialize in grief and bereavement. My approach to loss is to encourage clients to accept and integrate their experiences into the larger fabric of their lives. Loss is a great teacher of compassion for oneself and others.
I have lost many companion animals over the course of my lifetime. Each of my wonderful animal companions has taught me a great deal about life: patience, acceptance, fortitude, nobility of spirit, and unconditional love. In my work with those who have lost their companion animals, I encourage them to integrate the lessons their animal friends have “gifted” them with during their time together.
April Lang, BA, LCSW, MSW,
80 N. Moore Street, #16E
New York City, New York 10013
Phone:
(212) 577-1357
Email:
Moser58@verizon.net
Website:
www.AprilLang.com
Disbelief. Anguish. Emptiness. Few are spared these feelings when we lose someone dear to us, be it an animal or a human. But we can heal from the loss if these normal emotions are met with an empathic ear and an astute mind. When an animal we have loved dies, the pain and sorrow are deep and seemingly insurmountable. Many of our human friends don’t understand how we can feel as deeply for an animal as for a human, so their support for our grief will never be complete. As a psychotherapist for over 11 years, and an animal lover my entire life, I fully understand the pain of such losses. In addition to my educational credentials, I also have experience as an animal advocate/rescuer and, I’m a vegan. Furthermore, I have a cat care business where throughout the years, I’ve helped many people cope with the loss of their animal family members.
Laurie Leonard, MSW, LMSW
410 West 24th Street #2F
New York City, New York 10011
Phone:
(917) 696-2307
Email:
info@HelpWithPetLoss.com
Website:
www.HelpWithPetLoss.com
I have done bereavement counseling for hospices and a mental health clinic, but am now specializing specifically in pet loss bereavement. After completing the counselor training program of the Association for Pet Loss and Bereavement, I served as an assistant in one of their online chatrooms. In 2001 I received a New York City Volunteer Service Award from Mayor Rudolph Giuliani for my work at a telephone crisis hotline.
Grief must be felt and expressed before healing can take place. I can help you cope with your pain and understand your feelings. Often just one or two sessions are enough to make a difference, enabling you to continue healing on your own. A sliding scale is available so that anyone who needs bereavement counseling can receive it.
Poughkeepsie
Victoria Buskirk Macia, MSW
2038 New Hackensack Road
Poughkeepsie, New York 12603
Phone:
(845) 462-0349, extension 3
Fax:
(845) 463-1720
Email:
Vmacia@mindspring.com
I am trained as a certified social worker, providing individual and group counseling for the elderly; one-on-one counseling; group counseling; and psycho education of men convicted of domestic abuse to their partners. My personal encounter with the loss of a cherished pet, along with specialized training and experience, provides bereaved clients with a nonjudgmental forum in which they will be respected, listened to, empathized with, and guided. Additionally, I hope to use EMDR therapy, when applicable. Latest studies show that the nervous system seems to unlock, allowing the brain to realistically process this loss — thereby easing blame, guilt, etc.
Slaterville Springs
Russell Hollier, LCSW, CASAC, KPA-CTP
PO Box 57
Slaterville Springs, New York 14881
Phone:
(607) 539-6593
Email:
RHollier@twcny.rr.com
Website:
www.RussHollierDogTraining.com,
www.KarenPryorAcademy.com
I have an MS in Social Work from Marywood University with over 20 years of counseling experience. I am a Karen Pryor Academy Certified Training Partner and a member of the Association of Pet Dog Trainers. I offer pet bereavement counseling as an integral part of my dog training business that focuses on the human animal relationship for a lifetime. My counseling approach is rooted in systemic, relational and brief psychotherapy methods. I believe that relationships with animals are sacred experiences. Our process of grieving is as unique and individual as ourselves and our animal companions. I will facilitate a respectful, supportive and healing process as you adjust to the loss of your animal companion. I have a standard fee for up to three counseling sessions and will consider a sliding scale fee so that ability to pay is not an obstacle to receiving counseling.