April Lang, LCSW

Vegan Psychotherapist in New York

Imagine how liberating it would be to live an authentic life! In this life, you would live according to your values. Your strengths and talents, your entire identity would be defined by you, not others. You would accept and appreciate who you are, feeling comfortable in your own skin. The dreams you’d follow would be your own, not the ones pushed on you by others. If you’re capable of imagining such a life, you’re just as capable of making it a reality.

Being able to guide people in their quest to live the lives they envision for themselves, the lives they are meant to live, is the reason I chose this profession. For me, nothing is more satisfying than bearing witness to a positive change in someone, whether that be a subtle but important new awareness about themselves or, something more concrete and discernable.

My therapeutic style is direct and eclectic. I have been influenced by various therapeutic approaches, including: Psychodynamic, Somatic Experiencing, Hypnotherapy, Cognitive/Behavioral, Ecotherapy, Internal Family Systems, Parts Work, and Existentialism. I believe we must look not only inside ourselves for what ails us but also, to our relationship with the world around us.

I work with individuals who are grappling with a wide variety of issues including, but not limited to:

• Couples counseling
• Relationships
• Life transitions
• Animal bereavement
• Search for a meaningful life
• Ethical veganism

About April

The way we view our world and relate to it is attributable to the countless experiences and interactions we have had throughout our lives. Influenced by sights and sounds, philosophies and traditions, each of us has slowly evolved into the person we are today. Who I am and how I work with my clients was shaped to a large extent, by my deep connection to and appreciation for, animals.

This connection has expanded my awareness, leading me to respect and embrace differences, to want to help empower the marginalized, to find ways to alleviate suffering, and to promote equality.

This connection has taught me that seeing and acknowledging the pain and suffering of those around us is the first step towards living a more compassionate life.

This connection has taught me to recognize the strengths and beauty inherent in every sentient being.

The way I view the world has made me a therapist who wants to help empower each person to find their distinct voice, their unique way of being in the world, and ultimately, to be proud of who they are.

COUPLE’S COUNSELING

As is the case with individuals, each partnership has a unique energy, its own personality, and at times, challenging moments. Helping a couple to better understand the relationship they’re in and how to bring out its strengths and deal with its weaknesses is a big part of the work I do. Couples can benefit from therapy in many ways and at different stages of their relationship.

Pre-marital counseling is useful to sort out any unresolved issues before finalizing the commitment. Too many people commit to each other before they’ve fully thought through their compatibility and goals for the relationship. These are best discussed before the big day.

Working on a long-term relationship may warrant a different type of focus. One or both people may feel their needs are not being heard and/or met. The passion of their early years might have waned and they need to find ways to bring back romance and intimacy. Others communicate in ways that discourage discourse. Hidden and unrealistic expectations might now be surfacing and causing friction. These are just some of the issues that can be resolved through counseling.

Occasionally, even after working long and hard on a relationship, one or both partners may decide it’s time to move on. Helping people come to terms with the demise of their relationship is another part of couple’s therapy.

Sometimes, however, people want to discuss their relationship without their partner present or, they’re in-between relationships and need some guidance, before moving on. I see many people who are in both these situations, as well as those that are having difficulties with other types of relationships such as friendships, co-workers/bosses, family members, etc.