Meir Steinmetz, LMSW

Therapy with me is experiential. This means our work is centered around what is happening and helpful for you, moment to moment, and what supports you to feel connected with yourself and me, and to explore from there.

I primarily use a somatic, relational, and existential approach.

 Somatic, means that we use your direct physical experience of bodily sensations as an anchor into safety and as an access point to your emotions. We build the capacity for self-regulation, the ability to soothe and calm yourself, through bodily awareness. This is like a muscle, which when we haven’t used it for a long time, needs delicate training.

Relational, means that we use our relationship as a space in which to explore yourself. When invited, therapy becomes a microcosm of one’s life, and a safe, supportive space in which to learn and experiment with communication and being with another person.

Existential, means you are finding your sense of agency in your life, situation by situation. Even when we experience our challenges as beyond our control or our reactions as automatic, there is a place where we can find more choice. 

Together, we meet what is happening for you. The thoughts, the feelings, and your bodily experience. The spirit of warm curiosity is central in what it is like to work with me. 

I specialize in developmental trauma, relationship issues, and grief.

Some of the ways that can manifest is feeling disconnected from oneself, struggling with shame, anxiety, self-criticism, loneliness, and anger.

Through my accepting and exploratory relationship with clients, I help them to become an expert at themselves. I guide them towards themselves, somatically, emotionally, cognitively, and relationally.

In therapy, everything is welcome. That includes strong emotions such as anger, fear, and conflict. Everything can be held in the therapy room.

I hold the space for this to happen when it is difficult for you to do on your own.

I meet clients creatively, drawing from various methods of therapy. For example, some people need warm steady attunement, which allows them to feel, understand, and initiate change. Other people may benefit from a more active engaging relationship, one that gently challenges patterns that no longer serve them. We maintain an active discussion about what is helpful. Therapy is a collaborative and creative process.

meirsteinmetz.com