Psychologist, Post-Doctoral Fellow
Victoria Phoenix, Psy.D.
who we help
Therapy for immigrants and first-gen
Work with a therapist who understands what it means to build a life between two worlds, in person on the Upper West Side or online across New York and New Jersey.
We understand
We get what immigrants and first-gen folks are carrying
You might be the family translator, the one who fills out the forms, makes the calls, and softens hard news for everyone else. There's the pull between what your parents expected and the life you're actually living, and the guilt that shows up when those two things don't line up. Maybe you carry pressure to make the sacrifices count, to send money home, to be the proof that leaving was worth it. And underneath a lot of it is grief for a place, a language, or a version of yourself that doesn't fully fit in either country.
What immigrants and first-gen clients bring to therapy
People come in at different points: newly arrived and building a life from scratch, or raised in an immigrant family and carrying two cultures that do not always agree. Common themes are identity and belonging, cultural adaptation, the stress of bicultural living, and conflicts over values, traditions, and expectations.
Our pages on religion and culture and on intersectionality describe this work in more detail, including the isolation that cultural assimilation can bring and the fear of losing connection to your home culture.
How we work
On their profiles, several of the clinicians listed here share immigrant or first-generation experience among the communities they serve, and some name racial and cultural identity as an area of focus, so you can see who may feel like a fit.
The work is collaborative: you decide how much of your background to share and when, and your therapist chooses methods to fit your goals, such as cognitive behavioral therapy or psychodynamic therapy.
select your therapist
Clinicians who work with Immigrants and first-gen
See full bio
Licensed Therapist
Hansee Karamchandani, LMSW
Licensed Psychologist
Katherine Alvarez, Psy.D.
Licensed Psychologist
Rihab Mahmood, Psy.D.
Licensed Psychologist
Nofar Glisko, Psy.D.
Licensed Therapist
Kailey McGarvey, LMSW
Licensed Therapist
Isaac Moss, LMSW
Licensed Psychologist
Brandon Patallo, Ph.D.
Licensed Clinical Psychologist
Alejandra Zamora, Psy.D.
How we work
What to expect
We'll match you with one of our clinicians who works closely with immigrants and first-gen clients, including Dr. Phoenix, Hansee Karamchandani, LMSW, Dr. Mahmood, and Dr. Alvarez. Sessions with them are online for clients in New York.
The first session is a chance to share what brings you in, and nothing needs to be prepared. We can also go over insurance and fees before you start.
questions and answers
Common questions
Not necessarily. What matters is that your therapist understands the pull between cultures and is open about their own assumptions. Therapists from any background can do this work well if they are trained and sensitive to other perspectives, and you can tell us what matters to you.
Some of the clinicians on this page name Spanish among the languages on their profiles. Tell us what you are looking for when you reach out, and we will do our best to connect you with the right therapist.
Yes. Culture, religion, and identity are part of who you are, and they belong in the room. Our article on talking to your therapist about politics may help if you are unsure how to raise a topic.
You can still begin on your own. Therapy is confidential, with a few narrow legal exceptions your therapist will explain at the outset, and you decide what to share with your family and when.
Ready to begin
