About Joan Lavender, Clinical Psychologist
After many years of practice, I am still astonished by the power of a good psychotherapy experience.
It is gentle, deep and beautiful work, long-lasting and of great practical value.
I am a licensed clinical psychologist, psychotherapist with over 35 years experience. I received a Doctorate in Clinical Psychology from Hahnemann University/Widener University in Pennsylvania. I completed a Postdoctoral Fellowship in Psychotherapy Process Research at the University of the State of New York in Brooklyn. I am a graduate of The Institute for Contemporary Psychotherapy. My publications includes such themes as life as a therapist, envy, loneliness, aging and experiential focusing. Published psychotherapy research involves the process of symbolization in therapist/patient dyads.
My therapeutic style is responsive, compassionate and inquisitive, with a definite sense of humor.
On a personal note
I was born in New York City and have lived here most of my life. But recently I spend many weekends in northern Connecticut, where my two petfinder pooches teach me about the joys of country life and living in a slower lane. I am available online in Connectict. In New York City, I am online and available to see patients in person as needed.
Education and further Training:
My formal education as a psychologist and psychotherapist began with my training as a dance movement therapist. This initial education has been invaluable, as it brings the rich world of the nonverbal and the aesthetic right into our sessions. My training has included trauma therapies, the current embodied psychotherapies - emotion-focused, somatic experiencing and AEDP (accelerated experiential developmental psychotherapy) as well as motivational interviewing and seminars in CBT, DBT and EMDR. My work is informed by relational principles of contemporary psychodynamic psychotherapy. We can discuss further trainings when we speak in a consultation.
Testimonials
Joan and I have known each other since her PostDoctoral Fellowship years in the 1990s. What I respect most about her as a therapist is her approachability and adaptability combined with an impressive range of clinical experience. She is comfortable with herself, doesn't need to hide behind a stiff stance, and this gets conveyed to her patients, whether they are young or older, male or female, new or returning to treatment. She has the emotional courage that it takes to be a good therapist and a good sense of humor, so necessary when helping people go through the ups and downs of a real treatment process.
Joel Mausner, PhD, Leadership Psychologist, former Assistant Professor, State University of New York, Brooklyn. workplacepsych.com
Dr. Lavender and I trained together in graduate school in Clinical Psychology and, right from those early days, I was impressed with her insight and understanding. Joan is one of the first people I call when I want a consultation on my work with a patient because I know she will help me think through delicate issues with great warmth and sensitivity. I'm sure she brings these qualities into her own work with patients.
Kari Carstairs, PsyD. Director, Carstairs Psychological Associates, Ltd., drkaricarstairs.co.uk
Joan and I learned Gendlin's groundbreaking philosophy and method (Experiential Focusing) decades ago and have stayed in touch ever since. Her latest concept - the Experiential Environment - is such an interesting contribution for therapists and focusers alike that I wanted to make sure to mention it in my new book, Focusing in Clinical Practice, The Essence of Change.
Ann Weiser Cornell Ph. D. President, http://FocusingResources.com
Dr. Lavender is a highly accomplished professional who has the rare ability to relate to the whole person of each patient while staying responsive to symptoms and diagnoses. She makes rapport easily with a wide variety of individuals, uses down to earth language and raises delicate issues tactfully yet clearly.
Cheryl King, M.S., Administrator, NYC Department of Health and Mental Hygiene
Selected Publications
Want to read some of my writing?
How could this have happened to me?
One Therapist’s Travel Log. In
Beyond the Talking Cure: Advances in Focusing Oriented Therapy, Jessica Kingsley London.
The Phenomenology of the Relational Void: Probabilities and Possibilities. in Willock, B., Bohm, L. C. , Coleman Curtis, R. (Eds) (2011)
Loneliness and Longing: Conscious and Unconscious Aspects. Routledge Mental Health, London.
Lavender, J. & Freedman, N. (2002) On Desymbolization: The Concept and Observations in Anorexia and Bulimia,
Psychoanalysis and Contemporary Thought 25:2.
