More About the Practice
The goal of Presence is just that. To create a space, both virtually and in-person, where clients and clinicians go to be present for themselves and for each other. I help my clients to pause, to become comfortable with their own discomfort, to reflect on patterns within themselves and in their lives that no longer serve them, and to make changes so they can show up as the best possible version of themselves.
I help people identify what is within their control and what they can do to feel better, while also helping to recognize societal constructs or -isms (racism, sexism, ableism, etc.) to contextualize their experiences.
Understanding that there is no one size fits all when it comes to a person’s journey towards health and wholeness, I draw from a variety of therapeutic perspectives such as acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT), EMDR (eye-movement desensitization and reprocessing), motivational interviewing, and internal family systems therapy (IFS). I also bring in bodymind techniques like mindfulness meditation, guided visualization, and deep breathing to allow clients to feel more connected and present in their everyday lives.
I support individuals struggling with depression, anxiety and stress, persistent symptoms of trauma, and self-worth. I support couples and polycules in recognizing their own attachment wounds and body reactions that reduce their ability to communicate and connect effectively with their partner(s). I also have significant experience working with the LGBTQ+ community and folks exploring their sexuality and/or gender identity. Before focusing on my private clinical work, I oversaw a victim assistance program at a community-based agency, where I worked with hundreds of survivors of intimate partner violence, sexual assault, and child abuse, helping them process these experiences of trauma and move forward in their lives with meaning and purpose. That work showed me the incredible strength that we all have and our remarkable ability to heal.
My Masters in Social Work is from Columbia University, and my undergraduate degree in Theatre is from Northwestern University. When not working, I can be found playing with (read: frantically chasing) my two small children around the St. Louis area.
What People Are Saying
“Dori is an incredible and kind therapist. Coming into each session she was always kind and warm, held space to talk about the difficult things while asking my consent before we delved into anything. She provided recommendations that felt actionable and truly helped improve my ability to cope, handle conflict and more. I went into therapy with the goal of only tackling two goals, and ended up confronting so many more things. I am ending my time in therapy with an increased sense of self esteem and an overall better ability to navigate my emotions and the world around me.”
-Former Client
“Dori consistently gave a thoughtful, non-judgmental place for me to talk through a series of hard, life-changing situations. Her approach made it possible for me to be emotionally open and figure out what changes I wanted to make, in order to create a more fulfilling life. No matter how big or small, it always felt like our discussions were important and I was heard.”
-Former Client
“I had a wonderful experience working with Dori as our couples therapist. She was incredibly kind and thoughtful in her approach, and I felt that the counseling [we] received was individualized and relevant. I felt cared for by Dori, and the trust that we built allowed me to go deeper in my understanding of self. I would recommend her to anyone seeking greater insight into how they show up when relating to others.”
-Former Client
“Working with Dori was an incredible experience. She always listened intently, challenged me when I needed it, and validated me when I needed it. Therapy with Dori helped me understand myself and my history.”
-Former Client
From Brooklyn to St. Louis…
Presence Pyschotherapy serves clients located in New York State and Missouri. I received my Master’s Degree from Columbia University in 2015 and was a practicing social worker, therapist, and consultant in Brooklyn through 2024. Since then, I moved to the St. Louis area where I continue to practice psychotherapy as I learn the needs of my new community.
