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Hi! I'm Paige.

Thanks for stopping by my little corner of the internet.

If you’re here, it probably means you’re carrying something heavy—grief, anxiety, or just the weight of trying to get through each day. Maybe you’ve lost a beloved pet and feel like you’ll never feel joy or have purpose again. Maybe anxiety has been running the show for too long, leaving you overwhelmed and disconnected from the life you want to live. Either way, you don’t have to figure it all out alone.

I’m Paige—therapist, animal lover, and someone who believes that loss isn’t something to “get over” or “move on” from. Instead, we can find ways to carry it—integrating it into your life in a way that feels meaningful, so it coexists with love, purpose, and even moments of joy.

Anxiety, too, can feel all-consuming—like it’s pulling you away from the present and keeping you stuck in worry or self-doubt. Together, we’ll work on ways to quiet the noise, ground yourself in what matters, and build a life that feels less ruled by fear and more aligned with what you truly want.

You don’t have to choose between grieving and living, or between fear and freedom. There’s room for all of it, and I’m here to help you find your way through.

 

Let's Talk

Who I work with

Anxiety & Overwhelm

If anxiety has you feeling stuck, you’re not alone. I’ve worked with people struggling with panic attacks, social anxiety, excessive worrying, public speaking fears, phobias like driving or flying, and generalized anxiety.

I can’t tell you how many times I’ve heard, “It sounds a bit silly now that I say it out loud…” because often, the fears we carry feel much bigger in our heads than they are in reality.

Anxiety can also show up as difficulty relaxing, tying self-worth to productivity, feeling insecure, or getting stuck in indecision. Sometimes, compulsive habits like binge eating, skin picking, or hair pulling create cycles of distress and shame.

I’m not here to judge—I’m here to help. My goal is to support you in moving through life with less overwhelm and self-doubt, and more confidence and ease. And yes, it is possible.

Pet Loss & Grief

Losing a pet can feel like losing a part of yourself. I know firsthand how deep this grief runs—and how few spaces truly recognize it. Whether your loss is recent, anticipated, or years in the past, you deserve support that honors your bond, validates your grief, and helps you carry their love forward.

Through pet loss coaching and my Furever Forest community, I help bereaved pet parents process their emotions, find ways to honor their pets, and navigate life after loss—on their own terms.

Let's Talk

How I can help

Psychotherapy in NYC

I integrate two key frameworks in my therapy practice—both of which help in different ways, and combined, are quite effective:

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) gives you practical tools to break free from spirals of fear, worry, and overwhelm. Instead of feeling stuck in anxious thoughts, you’ll learn how to regulate emotions and express yourself in a way that feels healthier and more in control.

Psychodynamic Therapy helps you understand the deeper layers of what’s causing your distress—whether it’s past experiences, societal pressures, or the way you’ve learned to relate to others. Gaining this insight can bring a sense of inner peace and clarity.

I also take a holistic approach, recognizing the mind-body-spirit connection. Sleep, movement, nutrition, and even habits like alcohol or caffeine intake can affect anxiety. But rather than just focusing on the “shoulds,” we’ll explore your relationship with these habits so that any changes feel natural and sustainable.

 

Let's Talk

Pet Loss Coaching: A different Kind of Support

Alongside my therapy work, I offer pet loss coaching—a supportive space for those grieving a beloved animal. Unlike therapy, which is a mental health treatment focused on deep emotional processing, coaching is about compassionate guidance, practical tools, and honoring your pet in a way that feels right for you.

Coaching is for you if:

  • You need a space to talk about your grief without judgment.
  • You want support in remembering and honoring your pet.
  • You’re struggling with guilt or feeling like others don’t understand your loss.
  • You need guidance on how to navigate life after loss in a way that aligns with your heart.

 

Therapy is for you if:

  • Anxiety, depression, or trauma is making daily life difficult.
  • You want to work through deeper emotional patterns or past experiences.
  • You’re struggling with long-term mental health challenges beyond grief.

Therapy is available for residents of New York State. Pet loss coaching is open to all animal lovers, no matter where you live.

Let's Talk

Community Support in the Furever Forest

Alongside my pet loss coaching, I also run the Furever Forest, an online community for those grieving a beloved pet. Unlike therapy or coaching, this is a space you can turn to anytime offering gentle guidance, prompts to remember your pet, and a compassionate community to support you as you grieve. You’re not alone.

learn more about the furever forest

Fun Facts

I grew up in South Florida, and moved to Brooklyn, NY in 2013. I've been here ever since!

I have a Certificate of Health in Creativity and Spirituality

I believe creativity is healing, an essential aspect of what makes us human, and we all need more of it in our lives.

I wrote & illustrated a book

It started as a passion project to help me process my grief after my cat passed away, then it became a whole book.

One of my favorite nontraditional therapeutic tools?

ASMR. It helps me fall asleep. 🤷‍♀️

I took a 4-month road trip during covid

And my cat, Squiggles, came along on the entire adventure as we drove cross-country in my Prius.

I never imagined I would specialize in pet loss

I had to go through it myself before I was ready. Now I can't imagine doing anything else.

How I Destress

Play my guitar, or hold a cat (especially if it's purring).

My values

Below are 10 core principles I use to guide me in the work I do with my clients, and also in my personal life.

Trust

Together we will create a safe space for you to bring up what is on your mind, even if it's embarrassing, uncomfortable or taboo.

Integrity

Gaining deeper awareness creates a solid foundation for healing; as does taking responsibility for what is within your power to change.

Connection

When you connect to yourself, to others, and to the world at large, you are forging a path towards healing.

INCLUSIVITY

Unjust racial systems, gendered expectations, and unrealistic standards of beauty have been impacting our collective mental health for generations; How does living in our world affect you?

Hope

Life inevitably brings suffering, but humans are resilient. I am a huge fan of Positive Psychology, and an optimist at heart.

Wholeness

I believe strongly in the mind/body/spirit connection and view mental health from a holistic perspective.

Meaning

A healthy dose of death awareness reminds us of what’s important. What do you need to love more deeply and live more freely?

Mindfulness

Learning to be present with your thoughts, your emotions, and your experience in the moment is one of the most valuable life skills you can develop.

Authenticity

There is no better feeling in the world than stepping into and fully expressing who you are.

Growth

Self-discovery involves both learning and unlearning. You may need to dig up some old, deep-rooted beliefs so you can make space for new ones.

Professional Credentials

Training & Coursework

  • Jungian Psychology and the Hero’s Journey
  • Creative and Spirituality in Healthcare
  • Cognitive Behavioral Therapy
  • Expressive Arts Therapy
  • Positive Psychology
  • Somatic Therapy
  • Mindfulness
  • Biofeedback

Education

  • Masters of Education, Mental Health Counseling, University of Florida, 2012
  • Specialist in Education, University of Florida, 2012
  • Bachelor of Science, Journalism and Public Relations, University of Georgia.

Licenses and Certificates

  • Emotion-Focused Therapy Externship, 2023
  • MAPS MDMA-Assisted Psychotherapy Program, 2021
  • Licensed Mental Health Counselor (LMHC), New York State, #008089, 2017
  • Certificate of Study in Spirituality and Health, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, 2012

Professional Experience

Adjunct Professor, Department of Counseling and Clinical Psychology, Teacher’s College, Columbia University, 2022

Student Advisor, New York University, School of Professional Studies, 2016-2019

Counseling Intern, Behavioral Associates, New York, NY, 2016 – 2017

Functional Family Therapist, The Children’s Aid Society, Brooklyn NY, 2013 – 2014

Instructor, University of Florida, College of Education, Human Growth and Development, 2011 – 2012

Life Coach, North Florida Retirement Village, Gainesville, FL, 2011 – 2012

Counseling Intern, PACE School for Girls, Gainesville, FL, 2012

Graduate Peer Educator, University of Florida, Counseling and Wellness Center, Sexual Trauma Prevention Program (STRIVE) 2010 – 2011

FAQ

I specialize both in helping individuals cope with anxiety, and in supporting animal lovers who are dealing with anticipatory grief and/or pet loss.

My approach with anxiety is two-fold; I use CBT (cognitive behavioral therapy) which helps you navigate the complexities of anxiety with self-compassion and mindfulness. I combine that with a psychodynamic approach, which helps you address more deeply-seated patterns of behavior and understand yourself better.

When working with pet loss, we take our time. There is no rush to “move on,” before you’re ready. I believe in grief, we do not need to heal, because nothing is broken or needs fixing. Instead I focus on helping you integrate the loss of your pet into your life. And help you find ways to create meaning and find purpose, when you’re ready.

While both therapy and pet grief coaching provide support for those navigating the loss of a pet, they differ in focus and approach. Therapy addresses mental health issues, including anxiety, depression, and complex grief responses, using evidence-based techniques. It provides a safe space to explore emotions, develop coping strategies, and work through psychological challenges. I only offer therapy to New York State residents.

On the other hand, pet grief coaching tends to focus more on providing guidance and support specifically related to processing pet loss and finding ways to honor your pet’s memory. It may involve practical strategies for coping with grief, creating memorials, or engaging in rituals.

Our first session is a little bit like a warm up. I’ll send some virtual paperwork for you to complete in advance of our first session, which includes a questionnaire for you to fill out.

When we meet, we will review that information and anything else you want me to know. My goal for our first session is to understand what’s troubling you, why you’re seeking therapy, and get an understanding of what you’d like to accomplish during our time together.

For you, it is a great opportunity to ask any questions and see if you feel comfortable working together.

Good question! I always say – go with your gut. I recommend you check out my About Page and My Blog to see if what I have to say resonates.

You can also fill out the form below to schedule a consult call. If I don’t think I can help you with what you’re going through, I will let you know, and provide a referral for someone who is more aligned with your needs.

I recommend you come in once a week to get the most out of our time together. I believe that it’s important to make a commitment to yourself and show up. After some time, if you want to move to every other week, we can discuss that option and if it makes sense.

My rate is $300 per session. I offer a limited number of sliding scale slots for anyone with financial need, so please reach out if that’s the case and we can discuss further.

I understand support can be a significant investment, which is why I also offer my pet loss community, the Furever Forest.  Membership includes live support sessions, resources, and connections with others who understand what you’re going through. It’s designed to provide ongoing support and foster a sense of belonging as you navigate your loss.

If you’re unsure about what is the best option for you, reach out. I can help you determine the right balance for your needs.

It depends on why you’re in therapy and what you’re hoping to get out of it.

Many people feel relief after the first session. And oftentimes you’ll make some progress in 6- 12 weeks. 

If you’re coming in because of a crisis or life transition, like the loss of a pet, therapy can last around 6 months to a year.

If you’re looking to address more deeply rooted patterns of behavior, therapy might last longer. 

I have found that many of the people I work with deeply value having the time and space address their emotional health. As you start to feel better, we can assess where you are with your goals, see if any new issues have popped up that may be worth addressing, or if it’s time to end therapy. 

My door is always open – even if we terminate, you are welcome to reach out at any time to check in.

From the Blog

Don’t wait for therapy to start to begin working on yourself. Read the posts below to gain deeper insight into your patterns.

View more Articles

Get In Touch

Schedule a free 15-minute consult call to learn more about starting therapy together.

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Paige Rechtman, LMHC  ©  2025