The Center for Optimal Living
370 Lexington Ave, Suite 500, New York, New York, 10017
The Center for Optimal Living provides innovative, personalized treatment, based on Integrative Harm Reduction Psychotherapy, for individuals and families with substance use issues, other risky or addictive behaviors, and a wide range of mental health issues.
Recognizing the complexity and multiple meanings of these issues, we promote healing and positive change through the principles of compassion, collaboration and empowerment.
We offer comprehensive evaluation, treatment and referral services to adults, adolescents, couples and families. We provide a confidential environment that fosters collaborative and supportive therapeutic relationships.
We believe that effective therapy “starts where the person is” in terms of their values, personal preferences and cultural background. Each patient receives a comprehensive initial assessment to determine their unique needs, strengths and goals; this forms the basis for a therapeutic plan that enhances motivation and positive change.
We collaborate with each patient to determine the focus of their treatment and the approach that will best meet their needs. Treatment is provided by clinical psychologists and other clinicians with expertise in substance issues, other risky and addictive behaviors, and a wide range of mental health issues. Our approach draws upon psychodynamic, cognitive, behavioral, motivational-enhancement, experiential and mindfulness-based traditions to identify and address patients’ issues within biological, psychological and social contexts.
Facility Highlights
- Our center provides trauma-sensitive treatment to those impacted by trauma.
- We empower people to make positive changes to reduce risky and problematic behaviors.
- We offer personalized, integrative, and compassionate treatment for individuals and their families.
Specialization
Individual Therapy
This term describes one-on-one therapy, in which a patient and trained counselor, social worker, psychologist or psychiatrist meets privately with a patient to discuss challenges related to lifestyle, work, family and romantic relationships that may have contributed to the development of an addiction.Process Abuse Treatment
Not all addictions involve mood-altering chemicals. The term “process addiction” describes the unhealthy use of behaviors (including eating, gambling, sexual activity, shopping, internet use, etc.) that has spiraled out of control and into the realm of addiction.
Facility Settings
- Private/Secluded
Meet the Staff
Andrew Tatarsky, PhDFounder and DirectorAndrew Tatarsky is an internationally recognized leader in the treatment of substance misuse and other potentially risky behaviors. He has specialized in the treatment of addiction for 30 years as a counselor, psychologist, program director, trainer, advocate and author. He has devoted his career to developing a comprehensive understanding of the broad spectrum of substance use problems and an integrative harm reduction psychotherapy approach to treating this spectrum. This treatment is described in his book, Harm Reduction Psychotherapy: A New Treatment for Drug and Alcohol Problems, and several professional papers and book chapters that extend the approach.
Jenifer Talley, PhDAssistant DirectorDr. Jenifer Talley is a clinical psychologist who specializes in the treatment of trauma and co-occurring substance misuse. Working from an integrative harm reduction framework, Dr. Talley's approach is interactive and focuses on the development of practical skills to manage intense emotions, reduce self-judgment, and promote self-compassion. Mindfulness skills are integrated into an active exploration of the interrelationship between thoughts, feelings, physical sensations, and behaviors, along with their contribution to substance misuse and relationship issues. Dr. Talley is also interested in how yoga can be used to enhance the connection with the body and support the development of emotion management skills. She is the Assistant Director of the Concentration in Mental Health and Substance Abuse Counseling at the New School for Social Research where she participates in the training and supervision of graduate students in psychology. In addition, Dr. Talley was a Supervising Psychologist at the Women's Health Project of St. Luke's-Roosevelt Hospital for four years.
Financial Details
- Up to 60%