Culturally Informed

Relationship Psychotherapy in NYC

Dr. Jonathan Mathias Lassiter is currently accepting clients for in-person couples therapy and virtual sessions* at Lassiter Health Initiatives in New York City. Reach out for a free consultation.


Relationship
Psychotherapy

3 People Working Together

When working with couples, I am committed, equally to you both. I don’t take sides. My role is to facilitate an environment that is safe so that true emotions can be felt, and sincere words can be spoken to each other. Communication is key, so I will teach you both how to communicate honestly and directly. We will also work on identifying emotions and expressing them with compassion and bravery. The best relationships are flexible and have a focus on the us and not the me.

Do any of the questions below resonate with you?

Are your relationships not as you imagined they would be? Does it feel like you and your partner can't get on the same page? Are you having a hard time talking about your emotions in a way that you and your partner understand? Is racism, heterosexism, transphobia, or other forms of oppression negatively impacting your relationship? Does it seem like you are your partner are clashing over core values? Do you avoid conversations about culture because you are afraid they will lead to an argument or disappointment? Maybe you feel like you have to explain your culture to your partner? Does your partner not understand how sexism impacts you on a day-to-day basis and perceives you as whining? Do you love each other but your families disapprove and it’s starting to interfere with your relationship? Is sex unfulfilling? Is sex or sex talk taking up too much space in your relationship that it is hard to build emotional intimacy? Are you questioning if you can trust your partner or be your true self around them?

If these questions sound like you, I may be the right therapist for you.

As your couples therapist in NYC, both of you are my client. I create a fair, balanced, and safe environment where you both are seen and heard. I use a combination of culture and trauma-informed cognitive, emotion-focused, and somatic techniques to help you increase (1) your emotional and romantic consciousness; (2) connection to each other; and (3) relationship skills competence.

As your therapist, I will help you gain clarity on your relationship and find the best path forward.


Philosophy

As people who have often experienced trauma – big and small – from our families and a biased/oppressive society as a whole, we sometimes doubt ourselves, suppress our own emotions, and find ourselves in relationships and situations that continue the harm. Even when we overcome, we can still have difficulty enjoying the rewards from our hard work, navigating new environments with unspoken rules, and healing from past pain. I am here to help you break unhealthy patterns, get connected to your emotions, and cultivate relationships that affirm you.

I believe that everyone deserves to not only heal but to also thrive. You are inherently special and connected to something greater than yourself. It just may be the case that the tools and coping strategies you once used are no longer working for you. It’s time to learn something new, figure out a different way of communicating, and embrace a different perspective.

I am here to help you become the person you are destined to be, the real you, not a persona, or who you think you should be. I am here to teach you the skills you need to move through the pain to live a life of purpose. You don’t have to be “just like your daddy” or “end up alone.” You don’t have to “sacrifice yourself like your mother did.” You don’t have to be “an abomination” or “a statistic.” You are not “shameful.” “Bad,” “bougie,” and “boss” do not have to be negative things. There is nothing innately wrong with you. Let’s work together to build a healthier relationship with yourself and others.

Combining the strengths of your culture, mindfulness, spirituality, and cognitive therapy I will guide you on a journey of getting in touch with your emotions and the trauma that lives under your skin. Together, we will process past and recent events, the emotions attached to them, and determine where those emotions live in the body. We will also examine the hidden messages about your emotions that you may have unknowingly internalized. I'll teach you how to challenge, accept, and change emotions – as appropriate – to learn new ways of being.

The relationship between a person and their therapist is a unique one. The focus is on you, but you are not alone. With me as your therapist, you will have a partner, an advocate, a co-conspirator, and a protector of the most vulnerable parts of you. Both of us are in this together. I invite you to be an active participant in this partnership. You are the expert on you. I am an expert in mental health. Let’s combine that expertise to reach your goals.


* Currently accepting in-person and virtual (teletherapy) clients who live in New York state for psychotherapy and coaching. Currently accepting virtual (videoconference) clients who live inside and outside of New York state for coaching.

Fees

Individual psychotherapy and coaching sessions: $250 for 50-mintue session

Relationship psychotherapy: $300 for 65-minute session

Insurance

Insurance is not accepted. Clients either pay out-of-pocket or use their out-of-network insurance benefits. I am happy to provide you with a monthly receipt and documentation to submit to your insurance provider for reimbursement. Typically services may be covered in full or in part by your insurance provider. Some people also use their employee benefit plan. Please review your coverage carefully, and consult with your insurance provider or human resources agent. Consider the following questions when determining if your insurance will reimburse you for therapy:

  • What are my mental health insurance benefits?

  • Do I have out-of-network benefits?

  • Has my deductible been met?

  • How many sessions per year are covered?

  • What percent of the fee will be reimbursed per therapy session?

  • Do I need pre-approval from my primary care physician?