Mission

Lois Greifer, Ph.D. likes to tell the story of the time a young woman, unfamiliar with the whole practice of psychotherapy, called her on the phone to set up an initial consultation. Nervously, the young woman implored, “Before setting up an appointment, I really need to know if you specialize in relationship issues.” “Yes, of course”, Dr. Greifer replied, “as I specialize in human issues”.

That said, it is Dr. Greifer’s mission to work with all issues related to the human experience, such as: relationships (family, friend, romantic), self-esteem, employment and career, decision-making, anxiety, depression, worry, sadness, separation, grief and loss (including pet), parenting, eating, life transitions and other life concerns.

It is her mission to help people feel better. She provides a safe, confidential space in which to process unresolved childhood, adolescent and adult pain and disappointment, to gain hope for the future, and to live more authentically in the present.

Philosophy

Lois Greifer, Ph.D. believes in empathy as the guiding principle of psychotherapy. She believes that in order to help her clients she must try to understand their particular experiences, their unique life stories, and the particular lens through which they view the world. She appreciates that it is only through knowing and accepting each person for whom they are, that the process of healing, growth and change can begin. Dr. Greifer brings warmth and sensitivity to her work. She collaborates with each client on an individual basis, regularly assessing how their shared therapeutic journey is going and what road blocks, if any, might be coming up in their work. She encourages feedback, and is committed to adapting her approach to the needs of each individual.

While primarily working from a psychodynamic perspective, Dr. Greifer incorporates both cognitive-behavioral and experiential approaches into her sessions. She also finds it helpful to use humor and playfulness to open people’s minds and hearts to new and heretofore unexplored visions of their life’s potential.