Angela Shusterman, a Licensed Social Worker, says she always had an interest in psychology and how the mind works. Plus, even when growing up, she showed empathy toward others who sensed she related to them, enabling them to trust her.
As a result, she studied clinical psychology at New York University, earned her master’s degree at Fordham University’s Graduate School of Arts and Sciences and worked in private practice with her father, a psychiatrist, for more than 20 years.
Now a therapist at Psychiatric and Behavioral Health Solutions, she says she finds transgender issues a frequent topic these days, particularly for parents. Her patients include adults, couples, and women who feel trapped and confused, and individuals suffering from depression, anxiety, panic disorder, bipolar disorder, emotional abuse, and adjustments such as poor self-esteem, PTSD, grief, and a lack of motivation. She also works with teenagers and relates well with young people, 15 to 30 years old.
Angela uses an individualistic approach with all her patients. “No two patients are alike or have the same needs,” she says. “I assess the person’s demeanor and language as well as body language and choose my approach when I have a better understanding of their personality and the style they’re looking for.”
Bilingual in Russian and with knowledge of various cultures and pharmacology, Angela emphasizes that she is an active participant in therapy. “I don’t just listen and not give feedback,” she says. “I don’t give textbook responses but evaluate each case to find appropriate treatment options.
“Perhaps above anything else,” Angela says, “the most important part of psychotherapy is the bond that is built between the therapist and those seeking treatment.”