Andrea Rosenhaft, LCSW, is a new clinician with Rivia Mind, but she’s been in the field of mental health and social work for over 20 years. Her experience and her unique approach to therapy make a welcome addition to our team. Recently, we spoke to Andrea as the next subject of our clinician spotlights. Here’s what she had to say about her career in mental health and how she came to the place she finds herself now.
Education & Background
Andrea received a BA in Communications from SUNY Buffalo in the 1980s. Her plan at the time was to go into advertising and marketing, and she spent the next decade of her career in that field. “Eventually I got tired of selling Country Crock Margarine and Mrs. Butterworth’s Pancake Syrup,” she describes. “I wanted to do something more meaningful with my career and my life. I returned to graduate school in my thirties and obtained my master’s degree in social work.”
In addition to her longing for a more meaningful career, Andrea mentions that the novel August by Judith Rossner, a fictional depiction of the working relationship between a psychoanalyst and their patient from the beginning to end of their time in therapy, served as inspiration. “Even though it’s fiction, it’s a detailed account of a young woman’s psychoanalysis. I became fascinated with the workings of the mind and the role of a therapist.”
Specialization & Approach To Therapy
“I‘ve worked with many populations but I’d say my specialties are depression, eating disorders, borderline personality disorder,” Andrea says. She explains that over the course of her career, she realized how difficult the road to recovery was for patients with those diagnoses. “They often expressed to me how previous providers had given up on them and I wanted to be the one who would be in it with them for the long haul.”
Being there for the long haul involves a compassionate approach to therapy, and Andrea certainly has that. “I meet the client where they are. I work with them on an ongoing basis to make therapy a safe space for them. I don’t presume to know what they perceive is a safe space. It’s different for each patient, depending on where they are coming from.
“Depending on that and the reason they sought therapy at this time, I pull from a combination of psychodynamic therapy and skills-based therapies such as CBT and DBT. If the client is open to it, I may ask them to try a mindfulness practice and if appropriate narrative therapy.”
At Rivia Mind, Andrea serves as a geriatric specialist. “Older adults, generally sixty-five or older may be experiencing many changes and/or transitions in their lives. Even within that age group, there is a lot of variation. Someone who is sixty-five is not experiencing the same challenges as someone who is eighty-five. Some of the issues they may be dealing with include adjustment to retirement, illness, bereavement (loss of a partner or loss of friends), becoming a caretaker, isolation/loss of independence and more. For many people of this generation, this may be their first experience in therapy. Speaking to someone objectively may be revelatory, and learning coping skills to manage their emotions that previously may have overwhelmed them may be transformative.”
Joining Rivia Mind
Andrea has been working remotely since 2015, but since joining Rivia Mind, she has begun seeing patients in office again. “I’m surprised by how much I’m enjoying seeing some of my patients in person again,” she says. “I’ve only been at Rivia Mind for a week at this point. I’m still getting my bearings, but I’m enjoying meeting my colleagues and my new patients.”
Advice To Those New To Therapy
So what does Andrea have to say to new patients starting therapy for the first time? “You have taken a courageous first step by reaching out for help. I know it takes time to trust a stranger, but the best way to help yourself is to be honest with your therapist. They will not laugh at what you have to say, reject you or abandon you. Therapists genuinely care about their patients, otherwise we would not have gone into this profession. This is not just a job for us. Be an active partner in your treatment; participate in your sessions, ask questions, do homework — all this will help you progress.”
Of course, sometimes the first therapist isn’t the right fit, but Andrea encourages new patients not to be too discouraged by this. “If you don’t click with the first therapist that you see, keep trying to find someone with whom you feel comfortable. Don’t worry about hurting the therapist’s feelings by telling him or her that you don’t think this is working for you. Studies have shown the therapeutic alliance is the most important predictor of a good outcome in treatment.”
Self-Care For the Clinician
When the work day is done, Andrea prefers to take a walk with her rescue dog, Shelby. “We found each other — it will be five years on Memorial Day weekend. I’ll call a friend and we’ll speak about nothing for an hour. Later I’ll unwind by reading.”
Andrea is just one of our many skilled and compassionate clinicians at Rivia Mind – book an appointment with Andrea today! Looking for a therapist to help you on your journey to mental wellness? Contact us today to learn more or to schedule a free 15-minute consultation.
