River Valley Psychological

Krista Nelson, Ph.D.

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Change is hard. If it was easy to make the changes you want in your life, I believe you would have made them already. My approach to psychotherapy and neuropsychological assessment centers on non-judgmental acceptance, validation, and exploration. I work to help you increase your self-understanding, confidence, self-compassion, and ability to enact change in your own life. The work is also focused on alleviating anxiety, depression, irritability, low self-image, and relationship challenges. At a pace that suits you, we will together establish a safe, honest, and trusting relationship in therapy. I draw upon a range of therapeutic approaches to tailor our work together so that each encounter is based on your needs and preferences. As the work progresses, sessions include deeper exploration of past experiences, including those that may have been too vulnerable, frightening, or unpleasant to discuss in the past. Pain is lonely, but therapy can help.

 

Dr. Nelson graduated from the Clinical Psychology (Health Emphasis) Program at Yeshiva University, with a minor in Child Psychology. She completed a post-doctoral fellowship in pediatric neuropsychology at the Center for Attention and Learning at Lenox Hill Hospital. She has experience with complex neurodevelopmental profiles and can help clarify how areas of difficulty that seem unconnected may overlap or impact one another. She has additional clinical specialization in working with autism (Asperger’s), ADHD, behavioral issues, depression, and anxiety. Dr. Nelson has served as an adjunct faculty member at Ferkauf Graduate School of Psychology and conducted in-house psychological assessments at the Galynker Family Center for Bipolar Disorder.