Individual and couples therapy delivered through a compassionate and relational practice.
“What’s curative in my work … is teaching people to live a relational life … recovering that original state of connection to ourselves and to others that is our birthright.” ~Terry Real
Relational Recovery
Relational Recovery is the process of healing through relationship — with ourselves, with others, and with the world around us. At its core, it is about rebuilding the capacity for connection and intimacy.
Through this work, we learn how to:
stay present in conflict without collapsing or attacking
speak from truth instead of fear or resentment
listen without losing ourselves
repair ruptures with accountability and care
hold both our own needs and another’s needs at the same time
honor boundaries as an expression of self-respect
replace old survival patterns with healthier relational habits
Many of our deepest wounds were formed in relationship — in the moments we weren’t attuned to, protected, or fully seen. Relational Recovery recognizes that because the pain was relational, the healing must also be relational. Instead of trying to fix ourselves in isolation, we grow inside connection that is steady, attuned, and rooted in mutual respect.
“I have had the pleasure of working with Gretchen as a therapist for almost two years. In this short time, I have experienced profound growth, expansion, and healing—far beyond what I ever imagined was available to me. I know in my heart that I can go to her with anything, that she will hold both my words and my being with unwavering care. I can state my fears, bring my trauma into the room, and know that she will meet me with precision, compassion, and presence in every single moment. Our work together has cracked me open and turned me inside out in the best possible way, allowing me to develop the capacity to witness grief—my own and others'—and instilling in me a deep sense of self-nurturing and self love that has led me to believe in my full potential.” ~K. J.
Hello and welcome! I’m Gretchen.
I’m an individual and couples therapist passionate about helping individuals and couples heal, grow, and create deeper, more fulfilling relationships. My work with couples is grounded in Terry Real’s, Relational Life Therapy (RLT), an approach that helps people connect more authentically, build trust, and overcome relational challenges.
At the core of my work is a deep belief in the power of love, intimacy, and connection. I’ve seen how these elements not only heal relationships but also restore confidence and a sense of worth. Whether you’re working through trauma, looking to strengthen your relationship, thinking of starting or ending a relationship, or seeking a deeper connection with yourself and others, I’m here to help guide you on that journey.
I graduated from New York University (NYU) and began my career working in the Special Victims Unit at the Manhattan District Attorney's Office. There, I gained specialized trauma training, which deepened my understanding of how past wounds can affect our relationships and emotional well-being. This early experience shaped my therapeutic approach, driving my commitment to help clients build a new relationship to their pain and find emotional freedom and inner confidence.
I’ve been in private practice since 2014, and I’ve also had the honor of teaching at NYU. Over the years, I’ve continued my professional development at the Relational Life Institute and continued education in leading treatments for attachment and relational trauma, refining my expertise in couples therapy and relational living. I spend much of my spare time engaging in somatic practices like Authentic Movement, 5 Rhythms, Body Temple Dance, and Meditation and Mindfulness practices. My approach is holistic, incorporating both somatic work and mindfulness with traditional therapy to support healing on every level—mind, body, and spirit.
Work With Me
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Individual Psychotherapy
In individual therapy, we will explore your personal experiences, emotions, and challenges in a safe and supportive environment. Our work together will guide you into the raw and sacred depths of your being—where old wounds become portals, feeling is freedom, and your innate worth and wholeness are not something to be found, but something to be remembered. This is the very meaning of living a relational and exceptional life.
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Couples Therapy
Couples therapy focuses on enhancing intimacy, improving communication, and resolving conflicts within your relationship. Using the principles of Relational Life Therapy, we’ll work together to identify patterns that may be causing disconnection, while also helping you build skills for healthier interactions and deeper emotional connection and intimacy.
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Supervision for Therapists and Coaches
I provide supervision and case consultations to therapists and coaches looking to deepen their relationship to themselves and their work with clients. I deliver all services through a compassionate, relational, and somatic framework. I am prepared to help you navigate difficult challenges with clients and provide strong frameworks for you to apply effective interventions in your sessions. Most of all I want you to feel supported as you navigate the deep and revolutionary work of psychotherapy.