About

"Compassion is not a relationship between the healer and the wounded. It's a relationship between equals. Only when we know our own darkness well can we be present with the 

darkness of others..." - Pema Chodron

"It is not easy to find happiness in ourselves, and it is not possible to find it elsewhere."
- Agnes Repplier 

Aviva Kamander, LCSW - Licensed Clinical Social Worker

I have the privilege of working with people in a sacred way; honestly and directly dealing with experiences, thoughts, physical sensations, and emotions. 

I am a New York State Licensed Clinical Social Worker in private practice, with an office in Mamaroneck, NY. During the Covid pandemic, I am working with all clients using tele-health.

I have had extensive training in Mindfulness, Acceptance & Compassion Based Therapies (aka 3rd Wave Therapy)

Mindfulness develops the attention and awareness needed to stop rumination

Acceptance of oneself includes non-avoidance of difficult experiences and develops psychological flexibility

Compassion to alleviate one's pain can be learned, by activating the evolutionary caring system we develop a sense of safeness and connection leading to better emotional regulation and perspective taking.

Individuals are capable of immense change and growth. I use evidence based methods of treatment in a supportive, open, and encouraging way. Nowadays we know so much more about the brain-body, physical elements of emotions, and the key ingredients contributing to sustained happiness. My goal is to share with you what I know about alleviating suffering and leading a meaningful life. 

Throughout my life I have searched for knowledge on how to identify personal fulfillment, improve health and wellness, develop a healthy sense of self, and maintain momentum for personal transformation. My experience and training have led to a deep understanding about the process of change. My approach is direct and action-oriented.

From my diverse experiences I have learned that:

• The way you speak to yourself matters. Negative self talk can be detrimental and it can be changed.
• Shame is a major contributor of emotional suffering and mental illness. This emotion thrives in secrecy.
• Compassion is a reliable way of improving your relationships, with yourself and others.
• Life is hard, and many times unfair. Knowing what you need, and developing the skills to support those needs, helps make the best out of life's difficult situations.

I developed and lead workshops about Centering During Uncertain Times & Navigating the Gray Zone: Dating with Assertiveness and Compassion. More information about both of these can be found by going to the Workshops tab on the left.

In the past, I worked as a psychotherapist for the Jewish Board of Family and Children's Services for one of their outpatient mental health clinics in the Bronx. Also, I worked as an adjunct professor for the Master's in Counseling program at The College of New Rochelle, and as a college counselor/advisor/adjunct professor for Touro College in Brooklyn & Queens.

Professional Associations:

• The Compassionate Mind Foundation
• ACBS - Association for Contextual Behavioral Science
• The Institute for Meditation and Psychotherapy
• NYSSCSW - NY State Society for Clinical Social Work, Inc

Additional Training:

• Reiki 1 & 2 January 2022 Reiki Master Libby Barnett
• CFT for Anger Management September 2021 Compassionate Mind Foundation 
• Next Level Practitioner Training July 2021-ongoing NICABM
• ACT Peer Consultation & Training Group Fall 2020-ongoing ACBS Social Work SIG Peer Training 
• Expert Strategies to Help Clients Develop Tolerance for Emotional Distress Spring 2021 NICABM
• Restorative Yoga Teacher Training Winter 2021 Jillian Pransky  
• Compassion Focused Therapy for Complex Cases Fall 2020 The Compassionate Mind Foundation
• Magic ACT: Transforming Pain Into Purpose with Clinical RFT Fall 2020 Praxis
• Advanced Master Program on the Treatment of Trauma Fall 2020 NICABM
• Working with Fear Spring 2020 NICABM
• ACBS World Conference 18 ONLINE July 2020 Association for Contextual Behavioral Science
• Clinical Application of Compassion Series  2019 NICABM
• Compassion Focused Therapy: Foundations and Applications 2019 The Center for Compassion Focused Therapy
• Second Annual Compassionate Mind Summit and Retreat 2019 The Center for Compassion Focused Therapy
• CBT and the Effective Management of Mood and Anxiety Disorders NYC-CBT
• Spirituality, Neuroscience, and Narrative Surrounding Trauma MFT-NY
• Beyond the Basics: Advanced Motivational Interviewing Skills Columbia University School of Social Work
• Introduction to Compassion Focused Therapy CFT  Palabra Counseling and Training Center
• First Annual Compassionate Mind Summit and Retreat 2018 The Center for Compassion Focused Therapy
• Acceptance and Commitment Therapy for Adolescents JBFCS
• Attachment and Trauma: The Neurobiology of Healing ISC International
• End of Life Choices Columbia University School of Social Work
• The Therapeutic Use of Narrative Columbia University School of Social Work
• Essentials of Solution-Focused Brief Therapy JBFCS
• Understanding the Gut Brain: Stress, Appetite, Digestion, and Mood IBP
• Making Mindfulness Work Webinar Series NICABM(x2)
• How the Brain Forms New Habits: Why Willpower is not Enough IBP
• New Brain Science Tele-webinar NICABM (x2)
• Co-Active Coaching Model - self learning
• ACT - Acceptance Commitment Therapy  JBFCS
• MI - Motivational Interviewing JBFCS
• STAIR - Skills Training in Affective and Interpersonal Regulation, Trauma JBFCS
• CBT - Cognitive Behavioral Therapy JBFCS
• Rational Emotive Behavior Therapy REBT/CBT – Advanced/Primary Practicum, The Albert Ellis Institute
• Master of Science - Columbia University School of Social Work
• Bachelor of Arts -  Speech Communications SUNY College at Oneonta

Life Experience:

• Psychotherapist
• Life Coach, Business Coach primarily for Solopreneurs 
• Mother of 2 children (rising high school & college)
• Adjunct Professor
• Memory Training Counselor
• Telecom Project Manager
• Network Administrator
• Academic Adviser/Career Counselor
• Real Estate Agent
• Administrative Assistant
• and more