Catherine Isom, LMSW

Do you consider yourself self-aware, yet still find it difficult to translate that insight into real change? Or maybe you don’t quite know what’s wrong, but you can feel that something isn’t working. You might find yourself caught in self-doubt, struggling to trust yourself and looking to others for reassurance. Often, there’s a disconnect between the life you want and how things are actually unfolding – especially in relationships, where you end up feeling misunderstood or not fully like yourself. If it feels like you have little control over how you show up with friends, partners, or family no matter how hard you try, these patterns can feel impossible to break. Whether your emotions feel overwhelming or hard to access, or whether you’re barely holding it together or seemingly thriving, something underneath still feels unresolved. Therapy is a space to look more closely at what’s been hard to see on your own, with someone there to help you face it.

As a born-and-raised New Yorker, I understand how lonely this city can feel – even when you have a strong support system. My goal is to create a warm, nonjudgmental space where you feel truly seen, heard and understood – and therefore safe to explore your inner world, both past and present. I believe each person’s story is unique, and that it is a privilege to be trusted with it.

My work is rooted in psychodynamic and relational approaches, meaning we’ll look at how earlier experiences and relationships continue to shape how you show up today. Together, we’ll approach patterns with compassionate curiosity to understand how certain ways of coping may have once protected you, and to gently work toward new ways of relating to yourself and others. Where it fits, I also incorporate practical mindfulness to help you step out of the noise of your thoughts and stay more grounded in your experience. I value a therapy process that feels collaborative and honest, where I show up as both empathic and direct – and where, at times, we also find moments of lightness and humor along the way.

I work with individuals navigating anxiety, depression, dating and relationship challenges, breakups, life transitions, and concerns related to self-esteem and self-worth. Whether you’re feeling stuck in recurring patterns, struggling with self-trust, or looking to build more fulfilling relationships, therapy can be a space to deepen your understanding of yourself and create meaningful, lasting change.

If this feels aligned with what you’re looking for, feel free to reach out. I’d be happy to hear from you!