Sohaula DePeyster, LMSW
Message from Sohaula
We all have moments where we feel stuck, and uncertain about how to move forward. I want to support you through the healing process and be a witness to uncovering your strengths. I specialize in working with individuals dealing with anxiety, depression, addiction, self-esteem and relationships. My approach is exploring how your thoughts, feelings, and behaviors are intertwined. Together we can uncover patterns and find ways for these three areas to align with your goals. I am passionate about creating a safe and judgment free space. I take pride in providing respect, compassion and warmth to all my clients. Mental health is not something that can be solved overnight. I truly believe with time, patience and support, you can become vulnerable enough to be your true self in a therapeutic environment leading to a successful and fulfilling life. Contact me: https://calendly.com/sohaula-depeyster/phone-consultation
About Sohaula's practice
Weekday early mornings
Weekday mornings and afternoons
Weekday evenings
$$
Sliding scale
Reflective
In-person available: No
Virtual available: Yes
Parenting
Anxiety
Self-Esteem
Depression
Addiction and Substance Use
Anger
Life Transitions
Family Dynamics
Oscar
United
UMR
Oxford
Humana
Optum
Student Resources
NY
Why state matters
Get to Know Sohaula
"Thank you for creating a safe and judgment-free environment to truly explore my gender identity. Your empathy and compassion allowed me to feel comfortable in myself and gain confidence to share my challenges with loved ones. "
A., Client
From your perspective, what is therapy?
Therapy is a safe and private environment to reflect on the self with a trained professional. It is a vulnerable space to understand ones behaviors, emotions, values and fears. I believe once a week therapy allows you to put a pause and rewind button on your life. One can examine past experiences, how they have shaped them and how to gain self-control for the future.
How should I prepare for my first session with you?
Before you come to session, I recommend that you take some time to think about what are your challenges. Prioritize these life stressors in order of most pressing concerns, to things that can be addressed at a later time. Enter the room with the some goals and a willingness to try.
How should I prepare for my first session with you?
Due to sessions being virtual, finding a private and comfortable area to video conference is important. Consistency is key in therapy, therefore finding a specific day and time you can commit to is important.
How long should I commit to being in therapy, at least in the beginning?
I would say commit to therapy for six weeks. If you believe we are a good fit and sessions are beneficial, commit to six months.
How can you tell if I am feeling stuck, unseen, or unheard?
I hope you will bring these feelings up when they arise because it can sometimes be missed. I have been able to tell these concerns are occurring when clients miss sessions, are not as open in sessions or become annoyed.
How can you tell if I am benefiting from working with you?
When you begin to think about sessions outside of therapy. Life can be very fast-paced, but when you become more mindful of what is going on and reflect in the moment, you will know.
Please share 2-3 anonymized examples of how the work can play out and/or look in the room so that I can form a visual or narrative of what to expect.
• One client was in an unhealthy relationship with a partner of three years. The client feared being alone, but was also being emotionally abused in the relationship. We first explored the dynamics of their relationship and then discussed what an ideal relationship looked like for the client. The client and I discussed boundaries that were needed in the relationship, as well as how to effectively communicate. The client came to the ultimate conclusion that she needed to leave the relationship. The client and I ended sessions by discussing how to leave, fears of loneliness, how to improve other close relationships and how to be comfortable alone. • With the other client, we explored the client’s active substance use. The client had reached a point of low self-esteem, unemployment and feelings of hopelessness. We started sessions by discussing what life was like before the addiction to understand a baseline. We then discussed triggers and how the drugs both aided and harmed the client. The client became aware of his triggers and how the drug aided in building self- confidence. The client and I found four ways to replace the need of the substance through exercise, new employment opportunity, creating a supportive network and building self-esteem. The client went from abusing substances daily to achieving recovery, gaining employment and having purpose.
How do you approach diversity in the room or working with clients who may come from a different background than you?
I ask that the client inform me about their culture, background and values. I believe diversity should be an on-going discussion in sessions and encourage the client to correct me if I may have misinterpreted something or was misinformed.
What is the best part of the work for you?
The best parts of the work for me are seeing clients become confident and achieve their goals. I also love bringing to light the strengths and amazing qualities people do not give themselves credit for.
What led you to become a mental healthcare practitioner?
I was exposed to different life challenges that occur through peers, family and friends. I was always the person people wanted to vent to and I knew from an early age I wanted the proper training to support people who were struggling with their mental health.
Have you received any particular training beyond your post-Bachelor's training?
After obtaining my Bachelor’s degree, I got a Masters in Social Work from New York University.I have received trainings on understanding the LGBTQIA community; trauma-focused cognitive therapy, harm reduction and structural family therapy.
Where did you work before going into private practice?
I worked in an Adult Day Health Care facility providing group therapy to individuals dealing with addiction, anger management, various chronic health conditions and mental health crises. I have also worked in preventive services providing family therapy to at-risk families.
Is there ever a time when you would encourage me to leave or graduate? Or how do I know when it's time to end or move on, or time to stay and explore more?
In our initial sessions we will discuss what your goals and concerns are. Once you have met your goals, you are more than welcome to end sessions. Sometimes new challenges arise along the way and they can be incorporated in sessions and extend sessions. Therapy ends when you feel most confident and stable. You are always welcome to return.
How will our relationship be different than relationships I have with friends/loved ones?
Though loved ones and I both care about your well-being and want the best for you, the therapeutic environment is a judgment-free zone. My values and beliefs do not play a role in how we approach any of your challenges. I call therapy the best selfish relationship because the only concern and focus is you.
Do you assign homework, activities, or readings for me to do between sessions? Why or why not?
Yes. In order for therapy to work, real changes and actions need to be done outside of sessions. The activities and homework will vary depending on what you are dealing with, what you are open to do and the time you have outside of sessions.
How participatory are you during sessions?
In the beginning, I believe I am more dominant in explaining how therapy works. That is, getting to know who you are and understanding your challenges. As sessions progress and you as the client become more comfortable; you will do more of the talking, explaining your life experiences, reflecting and more. I will be here to provide psycho-education, suggest some tools and ask questions to both challenge you and hold you accountable. I will also jump in to reassure you in moments of uncertainty.
Are there any philosophies or values that inform your work that I should know about?
I believe in a quote that states, “ Life isn’t about finding yourself, it is about creating yourself”. To me this quote represents not allowing our past to create labels for who were are as people. Labels create limitations. We are always able to evolve, become better people and try new things.
How much do you share about yourself during our time together and why?
In therapy sessions, I am most open about my educational and training experience. I am transparent about basic information, hobbies and general life experiences. I will keep all personal information private because I want to keep the focus of therapy on you, the client. Revealing too much may take the focus off your well-being and become about mine. I also want to create a neutral environment where my life experiences do not shape what your willing to share.