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Ricardo Bermudez, LCSW. I listen to people to get a sense of what their needs are. We work collaboratively to develop goals to support the therapeutic process.
My approach
CBT, DBT, MI, Psychodynamic, CT-R, Person-Centered, Criminal Legal Involvement
My focus
I work with a variety of people. It depends on the need for therapy and if I have the skills to support the issue. I am open-minded and do not judge anyone for their life circumstances.
My communication style
Listening is the most useful skill for a therapist. This is a safe space for you to talk and have someone hear you. This is a collaborative process and you are in the driver's seat.
My journey to mental healthcare
I started working in social services in 1999 doing HIV/AIDS prevention in Southern California. I gravitated towards helping people and working in the community. I moved back to NYC and returned to school. I worked my way through school as a case manager for mental health housing programs. I obtained an MSW from the Silberman School of Social Work at Hunter College in 2016. I then worked in mental health and the criminal legal system from 2016-2021. I did psychotherapy in the evenings and weekends while earning hours for my LCSW. In 2022, I was the team leader for the first youth assertive community team in NYC. We were a mobile mental health team providing services in Brooklyn for youth living with severe behavioral health issues. I am currently in senior leadership for the NYS Office of Mental Health-supported housing programs provider. I have a private practice where I take about 10-20 clients. Therapy provides me with an opportunity to work directly with people. I enjoy getting to meet people and learning how I can help them navigate their own life experiences.
My goals for you
Treatment planning is person-centered and client-driven. There are often multiple life stresses that people want to work on. I work with the person to prioritize their life needs.
My first session with you
I move at the pace of the person who is receiving therapy. Introductions are really important. I like to get to know who I have the pleasure to work with. I ask both close-ended and open-ended questions to support that process. We will determine if our working together would be a good fit. It's important that the person feels comfortable with the therapist. There is some time at the end to see if the person has any questions that I could answer for them. We then agree on a regular meeting time.
