Leslie Bermingham, Ph.D.
Licensed Clinical Psychologist
Right now you may be wondering, “Why am I stuck?”
You may be coping with old, familiar emotions or patterns of behavior, but feel mystified as to their origins or meaning. You are interested in coming to know yourself better, but you may have misgivings or doubts about beginning or reentering therapy.
That is normal. Therapy is a considerable undertaking and can bring up fears of being exposed, judged, or misunderstood.
Together, we will get curious–not critical–about how you may be consciously or unconsciously contributing to feeling stuck or dissatisfied.
During sessions, I will provide you with kind but direct feedback, facilitating your own natural capacity to self-reflect without distortions. This will lead to a re-introduction to yourself and a more reality-based self-image.
Our therapeutic relationship will be intimate, but boundaried. I will not intrude on your treatment by sharing personal details about my life. We will start and end on time. Within this predictable and secure framework, we will develop a rapport and partnership unique to us.
Our relationship will serve as a laboratory through which we examine your “real” relationships. And as you become more comfortable expressing yourself honestly in sessions with me, you are likely to enjoy greater intimacy and security in your other relationships, too.
Leslie Bermingham, Ph.D.
Licensed Clinical Psychologist
My tools are my engagement, memory, and candor. My motivations are my innate curiosity about people and the meaning I derive from being invited into others’ inner worlds.
I know from my years of clinical experience that more than any specific insight you will gain (and there will likely be many), the most important takeaway from our work will be the feeling of relief that someone has seen you and stuck around; that you can show yourself fully and find acceptance and closeness rather than the rejection and punishment you may fear.
Training and Experience
I received my PhD in Clinical Psychology and MS in Psychology from Long Island University in Brooklyn, NY and my BA in Anthropology from the University of Chicago in Chicago, IL. My clinical training has occurred in public and private settings across New York City, including the Brooklyn Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Kingsboro Psychiatric Center, Long Island University, and JCCA’s Foster Care Division.
I have completed training in psychodynamic psychotherapy, cognitive behavioral therapy, dialectical behavioral therapy, and emotion focused therapy (EFT) for couples.
In addition to my own clinical practice, I supervise and train clinical psychology doctoral students at Long Island University, Brooklyn.
