Telehealth and In-person in Flatiron, Manhattan
Identity, Self-Concept & Self-Worth
At City Lights Psychology, we specialize in supporting clients through the complex and deeply personal work of exploring identity. Whether you're navigating questions about who you are, reconciling different parts of yourself, or healing from environments that invalidated your truth, our therapists provide a safe and affirming space for this journey. Identity concerns can emerge in many forms—including struggles with self-worth, cultural or racial identity, gender and sexuality, neurodivergence, family roles, spiritual beliefs, or the aftermath of trauma. We recognize that identity is shaped by both internal experience and external systems, and we approach this work with cultural humility, curiosity, and compassion. Our clinicians are trained to help clients explore these themes with depth and care, empowering each person to connect with a more authentic, integrated sense of self.
Our Identity & Self Concept Services
General Identity Concerns
Support for those feeling lost, fragmented, or unsure of their true self.
You may feel unsure of who you are, stuck in roles that don’t fit, or constantly seeking external validation. Therapy can help you reconnect with your inner values and authentic self.
Emerging Adults / Relational & Family Role Identity
Support for untangling identity from family roles, expectations, or enmeshment.
Identity can also be shaped by trauma bonds or emotionally enmeshed dynamics, where love, safety, and control become tangled. Therapy can help clients untangle who they are from who they were expected to be, and to cultivate relationships that honor their authentic self.
Developmental/
Trauma-Related Identity Concerns
Healing for those whose sense of self was shaped or disrupted by trauma.
Trauma can fragment or suppress identity, making it hard to know who you truly are. We help you gently reconnect with the parts of yourself that were hidden or lost.
Cultural, Racial & Ethnic Identity
Space to explore cultural identity, racial trauma, and the search for belonging.
Struggles around cultural identity, racial trauma, or feeling “in between” cultures are valid and real. We hold space for you to explore identity with pride, complexity, and care.
Career, Class & Social Role Identity
Help navigating identity shifts related to work, class, or social status.
​
Career, social status, and class often shape how we see ourselves. We help clients align their outer roles with their inner values and sense of purpose.
Spiritual & Religious Identity
Support with navigating spiritual identity and religious trauma with compassion and respect.
​
Whether you're questioning, deconstructing, or reclaiming your faith, we help clients explore these themes with curiosity, compassion, and respect for the sacred in their lives.
Gender, Sexuality & Queer Identity
Affirming care for clients exploring or embracing their LGBTQIA+ identities.
We provide affirming support for those exploring gender, sexuality, coming out, transitioning, or healing from internalized shame. You deserve to live fully as yourself.
Neurodivergent & Disability Identity
Empowerment for clients embracing neurodivergence or disability as part of their identity.
Many clients explore identity after discovering they are neurodivergent or disabled. We support unmasking, self-acceptance, and reclaiming strengths that may have been misunderstood.
Our Therapeutic Modalities
We offer an integrative, culturally-sensitive and trauma-informed approach of several therapeutic modalities:
Psychodynamic Therapy
Uncover and resolve unconscious conflicts, often stemming from childhood experiences, that influence thoughts, feelings, and behaviors.
IFS-Informed Parts Work
Explore and integrate different “parts” or aspects of the self—such as conflicting feelings, beliefs, or roles—to promote self-awareness, internal harmony, and a more cohesive sense of identity.
CBT/DBT
Challenge maladaptive thoughts patterns and behaviors.
Learn distress tolerance, interpersonal effectiveness, mindfulness and emotion regulation skills.
Compassionate Support For Concerns Around Identity
At City Lights Psychology, we understand that identity is deeply personal, multifaceted, and often shaped by complex life experiences. Clients come to us to explore issues related to gender, sexuality, race, culture, neurodivergence, spirituality, and more. Others struggle with internal conflict, dissociation, people-pleasing, or feeling like they don’t really know who they are. These concerns may be rooted in trauma, systemic oppression, family dynamics, or unmet developmental needs.
Our approach is inclusive, trauma-informed, and collaborative—helping you navigate questions like, “Who am I?”, “Where do I belong?”, and “What parts of me have I hidden to stay safe?” Through individual, couples or family therapy, we help clients reconnect with their authentic self and build a life that reflects their true identity.
We Help Individuals Who Are...
Feeling lost, fragmented, or unsure of their true self.
​
Exploring or embracing their LGBTQIA+ identities.
​
Deconstructing faith, healing religious wounds, or exploring spirituality.
​
Untangling identity from family roles, expectations, or enmeshment.
​
Realizing their own sense of self as a young 20's or emerging adult.
​
Balancing multiple roles as parents, partners, and professionals.
​
Embracing neurodivergence or disability as part of their identity.
What You Can Expect:
​
-
Support in naming and validating the parts of you that may have been silenced or hidden
-
Tools to manage shame, self-doubt, or internalized messages from family, culture, or society
-
A chance to untangle your authentic self from the roles you’ve played for others
-
Space to explore intersecting identities—cultural, racial, gender, sexual, spiritual, neurodivergent, etc.
-
Compassionate support for grief, confusion, or joy that can come with identity shifts
-
Integration of past experiences (including trauma) into a more cohesive sense of self
-
Validation of identity-related stress, trauma, and marginalization
-
A therapist who honors your lived experience and walks with you at your own pace
-
Skills to build confidence in your values, boundaries, and voice
Why Choose Us:
Our team of doctoral-level psychotherapists is uniquely equipped to support individuals, couples and families experiencing identity concerns, uncertainties, and shifts. We provide:
A Safe &
Welcoming Space
Whether you’re working through trauma or simply feeling overwhelmed, we offer a judgment-free environment.
Flexible
Care Options
Choose between in-person sessions in our Flatiron location or Telehealth appointments.
Evidence-Based Treatments
We draw on research-supported therapies to deliver effective and meaningful care.
How to Get Started
Step 1:
Book Your Free 30-Minute Consultation Call
The first step in starting your therapy journey is to book a free 30-minute consultation call with one of our psychologists. During this call, we’ll discuss what’s bringing you to therapy and help determine if one of our therapists is the right fit for you. If we don't have a match, we'll provide you with trusted external referrals.
​
Please note: We are an out-of-network provider for all insurance companies except UMR-Top Tier, meaning you'll pay for sessions out of pocket and can seek reimbursement from your insurance company if you have out-of-network benefits.
Step 2:
Schedule Your
First Session
After confirming that we’re the right fit for you, we’ll schedule your first therapy session. Our team is dedicated to providing compassionate, personalized care to help you work through your challenges and achieve the healing and growth you’re seeking.
Step 3:
Begin Your
Therapeutic Process
In your first session, we’ll dive deeper into your specific concerns and goals. Our therapists will work with you to understand the challenging you're facing with regard to identity and self-concept. We'll begin creating a personalized treatment plan that addresses your needs, helps you gain insight into yourself, and supports you in developing practical strategies for navigating life’s transitions. With ongoing support and guidance, we'll work together to build emotional resilience, confidence, and balance in your life.
Ready to get started?
Schedule your free 30-minute consultation call today to discuss your needs and determine if our team is the right fit for you. In this call, we’ll explore your challenges and goals, and create a personalized plan to support you through your concerns around identity, self-concept and self-worth.