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I am an experienced psychotherapist and PMHNP-BC who specializes in treating anxiety and trauma.
I integrate cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR), Brainspotting ,Polyvagal Approach to Trauma & Addiction and medication management in my approach to treatment.

I offer evaluation and treatment for depression, anger issues, substance use disorders, trauma, relationship issues, & other life/work challenges.

I specialize in promoting health during major life transitions, such as pregnancy, childbirth, postpartum, and middle years. Additionally, I offer support for teenagers and adolescents navigating school and college admissions. I focus on evaluating and recommending special learning (504) and workplace accommodations related to mental health.

I offer a safe environment where clients can express themselves openly & feel supported. My clients describe me as caring, insightful, & well-attuned therapist who is committed to the therapeutic relationship. I hold an unshakable belief in a person’s ability to heal, change, & grow. My therapeutic approach is rooted in empowering & helping clients develop a deeper understanding of themselves & their relationships. Please note that my philosophy is “Start low, go slow”, creating a safe treatment plan for your well-being!

For out-of-network patients, I offer in-office sessions. Additionally, scheduling is expedited as there is no need for insurance verification.

ADHD/ADD medication will be exclusively available as an out-of-network service.

Initial evaluations and random evaluations must be conducted in-office, face-to-face, as per NY state regulations for controlled substances.

Don't miss out on a complimentary 15-minute consultation.

In my virtual practice, which operates within the Headway portal's network, I specialize in providing evaluation, special school and college accommodation, and treatment services for ADHD/ADD. My primary approach includes utilizing medications such as Strattera, Wellbutrin, Kapvay, and Guanfacine to manage these conditions.

Additionally, I prioritize conducting comprehensive evaluations to address ADHD/ADD symptoms as secondary to underlying issues such as depression, anxiety, or other mental health concerns. This holistic approach ensures that patients receive personalized and comprehensive care tailored to meet their specific needs.

I will strive to create a therapeutic partnership that is based on mutual respect, trust, and self-reflection. My role as a therapist is to support and guide you towards uncovering, strengthening, and developing skills that help you negotiate your current obstacles, gain a better understanding of your past, and propel you into the future that you envision. Only during exceptional circumstances would medication management be offered.

Specialist in Brainspotting, EMDR, and an experienced educator in self-care techniques, including the empowering practice of yoni massage for women.

Embrace Hormonal Balance and Empowerment for Women Over 40

In this session, you will:

Learn how to perform yoni massage to support pelvic health and maintain normal muscle tone.
Discover self-massage techniques that promote hormonal balance, emotional release, and physical well-being.
Gain tools to connect with your body, reduce stress, and foster self-healing in a safe and supportive environment.

What Is Yoni Massage?

Yoni massage is a holistic self-care practice that encourages women to:

Deepen their connection with their bodies.
Cultivate body awareness and comfort in a nurturing way.
Honor the vagina (yoni) as a sacred and vital part of their health and well-being.

This therapeutic practice allows women to explore their bodies gently and intentionally, helping to harmonize emotions and physical sensations while supporting hormonal health.

Who Is This For?

This session is designed for women seeking to:

Understand self-massage techniques to support hormonal balance and pelvic health.
Address emotional or physical stress, including tension or trauma recovery.

Holistic Women's Health and Empowerment with Larissa Yossefi, PMHNP-BC

I offer a comprehensive approach to women’s well-being, addressing both body and mind to help you achieve harmony and confidence.

Services and Expertise:

Mind-Body Connection:

Using evidence-based techniques like Brainspotting and EMDR, I help women manage fears, release body tension, and address muscle hypersensitivity. These methods target deep-seated emotional and physical stress, promoting healing and balance.

Yoni Massage Education:

Learn the benefits of yoni massage for:

Preparing for childbirth by enhancing muscle flexibility and strength.

Awakening feminine energy and increasing body awareness.

Understanding the importance of normal muscle tone (normotonus) for pelvic health.

Gain practical guidance on the duration, techniques, and gradual progression of yoni massage, tailored for prenatal preparation or pelvic floor strengthening.

Physical and Emotional Preparation for Childbirth:

Tailored programs combining mindfulness, bodywork, and intimate exercises to ensure a confident and empowered childbirth experience.

Education and Personalized Care:

With years of expertise in women’s health, I offer personalized consultations and training, designed to help you feel connected to your body and prepared for life’s transitions.

If you're a student navigating the challenges of adjusting to a new college program, grappling with homesickness, and struggling to connect with peers, please don't hesitate to seek support. Drawing from my extensive experience working at BOCES schools in Nassau and Suffolk counties, as well as outpatient day hospitals, I've encountered instances where adolescents were misdiagnosed with full DSM labels. Understanding that each person is unique, I approach my work from a holistic perspective. Sometimes, what may seem like a lasting condition could be temporary, and it's possible that you're feeling overwhelmed by various symptoms and diagnoses. My goal is to delve into the root causes of your distress and suffering, recognizing that behind every symptom is a human being who deserves to be seen and heard. While I value the importance of symptoms, complaints, and lab results, my primary focus is on you as an individual, not just your ailments. I firmly believe that each person possesses an inherent capacity for healing, which can be tapped into and nurtured. Through fostering the connection between the body, mind, and spirit, as well as aligning with the laws of nature, I aim to support you on your journey toward healing and well-being. Your well-being matters, and I'm here to help facilitate your healing process.

What to Expect During
Your First Virtual Session ( in Network )

Typically, before your initial assessment, you will be provided with self-report questionnaires, such as the GAD-7 questionnaire, Beck Depressive Inventory, and Beck Anxiety Inventory. My practice specializes in general integrative psychiatry and promoting family health, offering personalized care with a focus on individual growth. If you have physical conditions such as GI problems, fertility issues, or functional difficulties, it is advisable to bring a medical summary of your past treatments along with a current medication list to the first evaluation.
During your first visit, you will undergo a mental health assessment, similar to an annual physical examination in general medicine. This assessment aims to identify changes in mood, focus, thinking, and behaviors. We collect information on your personal and family medical/psychiatric history, as well as details about current and past medications. Our exploration also encompasses factors such as nutrition, stress, fatigue, trauma, physical health, pregnancy, or postpartum anxiety and depression.
Your treatment plan is carefully crafted, combining evidence-based practices, clinical expertise, and your preferences and priorities as a patient. We take great pride in establishing a safe and caring environment that prioritizes dignity and confidentiality. At the end of the session, you will receive a referral for blood work (CBC, CMP), and in some cases, a referral for an EKG. For patients seeking medication, it is recommended to consider therapy sessions, either with me or another provider. Appropriate referrals to therapists based on your personal needs will be provided.
Prior to the in-office visit for scheduled ADHD medication, here's what to expect:
Office-based visits for ADHD/ADD are available only on Mondays. Face-to-face sessions will be required for the initial evaluation and random evaluations, as per NY state regulations for controlled substances.
Every patient, or patient's parent needs to sing the form that they understand and agree to the following conditions regarding ADHD treatment with Larissa Yossefi Nurse Practitioner in Psychiatry PLLC:
An initial evaluation will be conducted to review all symptoms, medications, medical and family history, and urine toxicology if needed. Psychological testing and ADHD screening scales may also be required. This evaluation does not guarantee an ADHD diagnosis, and medication will not be prescribed until all necessary studies are completed.
If risk factors are identified, an electrocardiogram (EKG) or a cardiac consult may be recommended to establish a baseline for heart function. Some patients may need to complete these tests before starting medications.
All scheduled follow-up appointments must be attended, and medication refills cannot be obtained without an appointment or provider approval. Replacement prescriptions will not be issued for lost or stolen scripts, and a follow-up appointment is required. If medications are stolen, a police report must be filed and returned to the office.
The NY Prescription Monitoring Program will be accessed before the initial evaluation and at each visit to verify prescription history. Medications for ADHD can only be obtained from a single provider, and refills are limited to a 30-day supply. Lost or misplaced prescriptions will not be replaced.
If currently prescribed benzodiazepines, medical cannabises some assistance may be provided (at the provider's discretion) to taper off these medications with the option of substituting with non-addictive/non-benzo type medications. This will be discussed further during the appointment.
Prescribing controlled substances follows strict guidelines. If recently prescribed a controlled substance by another physician, medication recommendations will be considered after evaluation and contacting the previous prescriber. A consent form for the release of information is required prior to the initial appointment for this purpose.
Patients prescribed a controlled substance may be subject to random urine drug screens.
In cases of irregular behavior concerning controlled prescription use or poor treatment response, medication changes will be discussed during appointments.
Thank you for your attention to these guidelines.
What to expect for Trauma Therapy ?

BRAINSPOTTING**
Throughout life, everyone encounters unpleasant moments that leave deep wounds, unpleasant memories, and create fears and resentments, leading to protective reactions that prevent us from fully experiencing emotions and opening up to others. Even minor psychological traumas and stresses do not pass without leaving traces, interfering with our happiness and success. One of the methods of correction offered by psychotherapy today is quite original, presenting an unexpected solution to the problem. Our article is about brainspotting.
**WHAT IS BRAINSPOTTING?**
Brainspotting as a therapy method is closely associated with Dr. David Grand—a doctor who worked with psychological traumas formed in people after traumatic situations. Grand studied psychoanalysis in the 1980s and the specific EMDR method (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) in the 1990s. By combining these forms of therapy and adding his own experience, he created an "improved" version of EMDR at the beginning of the 21st century, naming it "brainspotting."
If we try to explain brainspotting very simply—this is a psychotherapy technique that aims to help people deal with psychological trauma or other issues through eye movements.
Grand asserts that the essence of his method lies in the following axiom: "Where you look affects how you feel." Memory areas that hold remnants of past experiences cannot function normally and maintain a tense state—but this can be corrected.
**HOW DOES THE METHOD WORK?**
Our brain is a kind of "portal," with quadrillions of connections formed between its cells. Any process, whether physical or emotional, inevitably affects brain activity.
The visual organs are closely interconnected with the brain—there are 125 million photoreceptors in one eyeball that transmit electrical signals to the brain.
The new technique claims that the point of gaze directly influences how we feel: the position of the eyes determines the correlation with neural brain activity and accumulated internal experiences. Keeping the gaze in a specific position helps activate the brain's neural activity, which the body directs towards processing outdated processes, relieving nervous and emotional tension.
The revolutionary aspect of the method lies in the understanding that the cause of many taboos and behavioral restrictions is rooted in neuron damage.
It is this imbalance in brain function that serves as a brake, hindering the achievement of comprehensive results in all areas of life. The method allows for the elimination of "brain spots" (areas with damaged neurons) and profoundly changes the perception of the surrounding world.
**TECHNIQUE**
Initially, brainspotting identifies the relationship between a specific eye position acquired during unpleasant past experiences and autonomic reactions (such as skin flushing, excessive sweating, restlessness, sneezing, etc.).
Then, in working with the patient, the therapist identifies the coordination position where such signals manifested most intensely and asks the patient to briefly focus their gaze on these points. This sends a signal to the brain to restore and "heal" the damaged neurons, which essentially are the "scars."
When the eye movement becomes smooth, it signals that the trauma has been deeply processed on emotional, social, and neurophysiological levels, and the "brain spot" has been eliminated along with the consequences of hidden experiences.
It is believed that the brainspotting technique affects the limbic system—a collection of brain structures that plays a crucial role in forming emotions and long-term memory.
This system also participates in regulating cognitive processes and maintaining motivation.
Additionally, it provides control over impulses and is responsible for many other psychological aspects that directly influence a person's well-being.
Although brainspotting was originally developed for the treatment of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), specialists who practice the method assert that it is effective in treating anxiety, depression, chronic fatigue syndrome, fibromyalgia, and ADHD. Many patients report positive results.
It is also worth noting that the effectiveness of brainspotting is a widely debated topic, and long-term studies in fairly large focus groups are still ongoing. The medical community eagerly awaits the results of a comprehensive study of this new approach.

The Founder’s Statement

“ I promise to deliver the highest quality of care based on your specific needs. My passion is evident from the first phone call. If you are unsure if medication is right for you, I will offer all available options .My philosophy is “start low, go slow” .Together, we will create a safe treatment plan to optimize your mental, emotional, and physical health! ”

— Larissa Yossefi Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner, ANCC Board Certified

Read more on Psychology today

Larissa Yossefi - Nurse Practitioner | Headway

Client Reviews and Feedback

"Dr. Yossefi has helped tremendously, providing me with a new outlook on life and encouraging a positive mindset. Highly recommend;)"
- More than 1 year ago by HW
"Fast communicator, I appreciated the quick responses. Will come again."
- More than 1 year ago by YDG
"Larissa was very thorough and caring during our first session."
- More than 1 year ago; Initials hidden; Video visit
"Non-judgemental, incredibly competent, and communicates fast."
- More than 1 year ago by RG
"Larissa is very professional! Definitely recommended!!"
- More than 1 year ago by GY
"Larissa has been so helpful and insightful with my mental health healing journey. She is understanding and thorough with her sessions, ensuring to provide proper information. I would recommend her to anyone and everyone! She truly loves what she does, and it shows in the quality of care she puts into her patients."
- Less than 6 months ago by EH
"I contacted Dr. Yossefi at the recommendation of my therapist. After numerous attempts to see someone in the office with no success, I decided to seek help online. Dr. Yossefi responded immediately, provided a brief intake interview, and guided me on what I needed to do for a prescription. Highly recommended!"
- Less than 1 year ago by JP
"Larissa is very helpful and understanding. Always asks the right questions to encourage self-reflection. Highly recommended!"
- Less than 1 year ago by JL
"I always finish a session with Ms. Yossefi feeling much better. I was skeptical about therapy, but she made a believer out of me!"
- Less than 1 year ago by KB
"I was hesitant to start therapy, but once I began, I felt like I am growing and healing. Larissa is so kind, a great listener, and explains things very well. I feel very comfortable with her!!! I have already recommended her to one of my good friends."
- June 1, 2023, by Justin P.; Verified patient; Video visit
"Larissa is compassionate, understanding, and helps one address their challenges by applying a plan of thoughtful, incremental steps. She is very mindful and cautious of the potential harm in overprescribing medications and stresses conservatively low doses whenever possible as her philosophy."
- More than 1 year ago by JC

Resilience

Starts With You

Professional Development:

We also provide training and educational opportunities for therapists and other healthcare providers.

At Larissa Yossefi PLLC, we facilitate enhanced comprehension of mental health and well-being while offering strategies to bolster the success of mental health therapists embarking on new careers, expanding office locations, or transitioning practices from office-based to hybrid and virtual formats.

Support for Mental Health Providers: AI Solutions to Enhance Your Practice

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For a limited time, Virtual Scrub is offering the first 20 sessions for free, plus 50% off the first month with the discount code '50for1st'.

I believe this tool could benefit your practice as much as it has mine. Learn more and take advantage of this offer here: http://www.berries.icu.

Testimonials from other therapists:

Rachel Moheban-Wachtel Clinical Social Work/Therapist, LCSW-R "Larissa Yossefi has extensive experience and is dedicated and caring towards her clients. She approaches therapy through a humanistic lens, providing quality care. I highly recommend Larissa for both medication management and therapy."
Robert J Savino Clinical Social Work/Therapist, LCSW, CASAC "As a psychotherapist, I have collaborated with Ms. Yossefi for years, and I am pleased to endorse her. She is remarkably thorough, kind, professional, and knowledgeable, going above and beyond for her patients."
Kenneth J. Baracaldo
LCAT, MT-BC, MS
Larissa Yossefi is knowledgeable and professional. Her extensive experience allows her to work seamlessly with adolescents and adults. Larissa specializes in medication management, stress, and behavioral issues; providing treatment for overall health.
Laura Guber
Clinical Social Work/Therapist, LCSW-R
Larissa Yossefi is a well-informed and attuned practitioner. She is caring, has outstanding dedication, and expertise in healthcare. She consistently delivers compassionate, personalized care, earning trust and respect from patients and colleagues alike.
Samantha Kane
Clinical Social Work/Therapist, LMSW
Adults with ADHD seeking medication management or diagnosis would benefit from Larissa's thoughtful, holistic, and informed approach. She treats clients with empathy and cultural sensitivity and tailors treatment plans for client's specific needs/goals.