Dr. Greg Petronzi, Ph.D.
Licensed Psychologist
Hello and welcome to my website. I understand that it can be difficult to start therapy, especially when there are so many therapists out there to choose from. It's my intent not only to tell you a little about me and my practice but also to give you some information and tools to use in selecting the right therapist for you.
My approach
Practice informed by research
I believe that no universal way of treating people exists. Rather, your cultural identity, personality traits, and presenting issues guide the way that I approach therapy with you. My therapeutic intent is to treat the person not the problem. Therefore, I adhere to a wellness perspective to emphasize strengths and help you develop your sense of self in a collaborative and supportive way.
My style is warm, supportive, and empirically grounded. I have published research examining how different theories might work better for different people and I use this research to inform my practice. I currently teach psychotherapy to graduate students at New York University while I work in private practice in Manhattan.
I offer individual and couples therapy as well as a range of personality and vocational assessments. I understand that starting therapy can be difficult. If you are considering therapy, feel free to give me a call. I would be happy to discuss working together to help you accomplish your goals.
What to know in choosing a therapist
Choosing a therapist can be a daunting task. I believe that highlighting the differences between various mental health practitioners can help you make a more informed decision about your therapist selection.
Knowledge is power; and nowhere is that more important than when it comes to your mental health.
First it is important to know that the terms “therapist” or “psychotherapist” are not legally regulated terms. This means that literally anyone can call him or herself a “therapist.” While many mental health practitioners may refer to themselves as therapists, each practitioner has a specific legally ascribed title that he or she received through specific training and state licensure requirements.
Below is a brief description of various mental health practitioners, their rough educational requirements and scopes of practice.
I. Masters Level: (MA/MS) Masters level clinicians complete generally around 60 credits post bachelors, which usually translates to 2 years of full-time graduate training after a bachelors degree.
-
Licensed Mental Health Counselor (LMHC): These practitioners are trained to provide mental health counseling.
-
Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW): These practitioners provide mental health counseling as well as case management for those needing social services.
II. Doctoral Level: (Psy.D., Ph.D., M.D.) Doctoral level clinicians are usually licensed as Clinical or Counseling Psychologists. These programs are roughly 120 credits post-bachelors and take anywhere between 4-6 years of full-time graduate work to complete.
-
Psychologists can either have a Doctorate of Psychology (Psy.D.) or a Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) with a specific designation in counseling or clinical psychology. Psychologists receive the most extensive training in the practice of psychotherapy. They also have training for various psycho-diagnostic and vocational assessments.
-
Psychiatrists are medical doctors that go through medical school and specialize in psychiatry during their residency. These practitioners generally handle the prescription and monitoring of psychotropic medication, however, they also may practice psychotherapy. Often psychiatrists collaborate with other mental health professionals to provide comprehensive interdisciplinary treatment for clients.
Contact Me
My current availability is limited, however, if we are not able to find a time to work together, I would be happy to refer you to an excellent clinician within my trusted network.
If you would like to schedule a consultation, please feel free to reach me by email, phone, or you can book an appointment online through Zocdoc below.
Tel: (917) 946-1668
Email: greg@doctorpetronzi.com