Sharon Winkler, MSW, LICSW, MAC

I work with individuals and couples, and my goal in both types of work is to help patients develop a deep understanding of themselves, especially of those aspects of themselves that are out of their awareness and of family of origin themes and patterns that are repeating themselves in the person's current life (often without their awareness) in addition to mitigating the specific individual and relationship 'symptoms' that have prompted the request for therapy. Thus, I provide a depth therapy (psychodyanmic) that goes beyond "coping skills" and "psychoeducation" with a goal of long-term, stable change. In couple therapy, the primary goal is to identify and change the repetitive, unsatisfying patterns that couples can develop over time – those interactions that create that "here we go again" feeling – and therapists need extensive specialized coursework and many hours of working with couples to be able to understand and interrupt those patterns. There is a particular mindset that is important too, as couple therapists must maintain a supportive relationship with two people who are often in conflict with each other. Becoming an effective couple therapist requires specialized skills, and, when you need help in your relationship, you’ll want to seek out an expert in this area. You have a lot at stake. After finishing graduate school, I completed an additional four years of training in relationship therapy (couples and families) at The Family Institute of Westchester in New York, a premier training facility. Since then, I’ve worked with couples for 35+ years and trained in various treatment modalities (family systems, psychodynamic, Emotionally Focused Therapy, Gottman), which I am able to draw on to create an individualized approach for each couple. I specialize in couple therapy; it isn't something I do as an afterthought. Couples usually seek help for problematic communication, feelings of disconnection, infidelity, or recurring cycles of non-productive conflict. My goal is to help the couple with the presenting problem and to identify and change the underlying patterns so that those changes are solid and lasting over time. If you are seeking couple therapy of depth and durability, please call or email to schedule an appointment.

I have received five years of psychotheray training and upervision beyond graduate school, three years in couple and family therapy and two in individual psychodynamic depth therapy. I have worked extensivly with alcohol and substance use discorders and hold an advanced credential in this area (Master Addictions Counselor).