Kim Seelbrede, LCSW HolisticPsychotherapist

New York State Licensed Psychotherapist

Advanced EMDR & Somatic Therapist

Marriage, Relationship & Couple Therapist

I’d like to help you find life-changing breakthroughs so that you can live the life you desire and deserve…

Psychotherapist + Founder of Holistic Psychotherapy & Wellness Manhattan

I'm delighted that you're here! I've been a licensed psychotherapist with a private practice in NYC for nearly 20 years. I'm excited that you're interested in exploring holistic and integrative approaches to mental health, and I hope you find the information on this website helpful. As a New York City-based psychotherapist and mind-body practitioner, I approach my work with a spirit of service, profound curiosity, and gratitude for being able to do work that I love. My goal is to provide tailored therapy to help you gain the necessary skills to feel present, resilient, embodied, vital, and empowered.

How can therapy heal and enhance your life?

I believe that effective therapy can help you heal your past, and understand your present, allowing you to create your future. I harness the power of evidence-based treatments, such as CBT and EMDR to help my clients reach their goals and make meaningful changes in their lives. I provide a compassionate, supportive space for individuals seeking transformation. I’ll empower you to remove inner and outer blocks so that you may find the joy, happiness, and vibrancy you are craving. I specialize in helping women enjoy optimal mental health, but I also enjoy working with men and their unique struggles.

Types of therapy modalities that I offer…

I excel in interventional therapy, or crisis therapy which involves providing timely support and pragmatic solutions for patients in crisis. This approach is helpful for those undergoing challenging life transitions or struggling with acute emotional distress. This may include extra sessions or extended sessions for your mental health and well-being. Evidence-based therapy sessions may also include somatic psychotherapy. My holistic perspective recognizes the importance of integrating the mind and body for optimal healing. As such, I incorporate somatic exercises and techniques using a polyvagal lens to help patients process and release trauma held within the body. While I don’t neglect the top-down approach because it’s essential, a bottom-up approach emphasizes the connection between physical sensations and emotional well-being, promoting a comprehensive healing experience.

My Practice Philosophy…

I enjoy learning immensely and have continued to advance my skills and knowledge well beyond graduate my school foundation. This allows me to offer an eclectic practice, with highly effective and evidenced-based therapies working with a range of challenges. I work primarily from a psychodynamic and somatic lens which means we consider the hidden dynamics and patterns in your life as well as the health of your nervous system. As a mind-body practitioner, I understand the value of honoring all aspects of the individuals I work with which allows us to address the root cause of suffering. If you are seeking therapy because of the trauma(s) in your story or painful memories and events that feel “stuck,” I can help you heal on a deeper level using EMDR & Somatic Therapy. In addition to my traditional psychotherapy and clinical training, I also have a holistic philosophy that allows me to work with less traditional and cutting-edge treatments that have led to profound mind-body healing. I am also deeply grateful for the opportunity to have trained with world-renowned experts in many areas. An exciting aspect of my practice is the integration of holistic and alternative medicine to support healthy brain function. Ask me about how precursor amino acids can support optimal mental and emotional health!

The other parts of my life…

I have homes in New York and Montana where I share a private practice with my husband, psychologist John Christopher, Ph.D. I enjoy travel, photography, yoga, biking, gardening, nature, technology, workshops, the beach, and collecting vintage and flea market finds. I have two adult sons who live in New York City, a grandson that delights and delights, and two black rescue cats.

Early years

I was born in Greenville Ohio. As a youth and adolescent, I trained in ballet, jazz, and modern dance, and was an athlete competing in gymnastics, track, swimming, and diving.

My mother believed that beauty pageants would be one way to advance me beyond my small-town experience, thus, she entered me in a beauty pageant during my first year of college. Reluctantly, I followed through and went on to win the title of Miss Ohio, which led to becoming Miss USA within months. I then moved to Manhattan where I placed as a runner-up in the Miss Universe Pageant held that year in New York City. Never been a fan of beauty pageants (for all sorts of reasons), and also because I am shy, socially anxious, and not one to seek attention, I very much considered myself an "accidental beauty queen."

I do however acknowledge that winning the pageant afforded me the opportunity to move to New York City, and for that amazing experience, I remain grateful. At the end of my reign, I stayed in Manhattan and made appearances in soap operas, television commercials, and print ads. I was also the official Betamax Girl, of the now-obsolete Sony Betamax.

My Interest In Psychology

My journey into the world of mental health began at an early age, as I attempted to navigate my young years with parents who were kind and loving, but highly anxious and sad. My dad was quiet and reclusive, spending much of his time running his dime store and inventing board games in our garage. My mom was a devout Christian Scientist who prayed much of the day seeking refuge from sorrow and terror. In time, and with the help of my own therapy, I came to understand the many ways that religion served my mother’s psychological needs, but not mine. My deep interest and curiosity in human nature were overdetermined, and so I would eventually leave my strange and lonely childhood and become a lifelong student of psychology.

During the pageant, I met the son of the creator of Candies Shoes who sponsored the pageant. Several years after the pageant, we married and had two sons. While my boys were young, I returned to school and earned an undergraduate degree in psychology. I later obtained a graduate degree with high honors from New York University in Clinical Social Work. I was also a Ph.D candidate at one time, but in the wake of several significant losses (the death of my brother and dad and my mother’s stroke), I decided to focus on raising my two sons, single mom, post-divorce.

Somewhere between diving into my emotional history and transforming sadness and pain, I fell in love with the process of healing and transforming, again and again. I am an advocate for mental health awareness to decrease the stigma and normalize through education.

My Philosophy

I believe that effective therapy can help you heal your past, understand your present and create your future. I harness the power of evidence-based treatments, such as CBT and EMDR to help my clients reach their goals and make meaningful changes their lives. I provide a compassionate, supportive space for individuals seeking transformation. I’ll empower you to identify and remove inner and outer blocks so that you may find the joy, happiness, and vibrancy you are craving.

In my private practice, I enjoy providing both short-term therapy and longer-term therapy equally. I work through the lens of Psychodynamic Psychotherapy, my earliest training, and go beyond traditional “talk” therapy to integrate other supportive tools into my integrative psychotherapy practice. By blending Relational, Cognitive, and Somatic Psychotherapy with EMDR, Brainspotting, Internal Family Systems (IFS), Ego-State Therapy, Attachment Theory, and Somatic Experiencing techniques, I help clients talk less about their history, and process to heal more.

An exciting aspect of my practice is the integration of holistic and alternative medicine to support healthy brain function. Helping people heal requires considering all aspects of being. This is the core of holistic therapy in our efforts to heal the root cause of suffering. Feeling balanced and aligning with one’s highest self makes it easier to navigate outdated patterns of being in this world.

Well + Being Blog

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Engage Your Vagus Nerve: Breathing And Restorative Techniques For Relaxation, Insomnia, Chronic Illness, Pain And Limbic System Dysfunction
Engage Your Vagus Nerve: Breathing And Restorative Techniques For Relaxation, Insomnia, Chronic Illness, Pain And Limbic System Dysfunction

It seems like everyone is talking about vagal nerve theory these days, and stress and chronic illness may be at an all-time high. Many individuals are seeking alternatives to traditional "talk" therapy to address their mental, physical, and spiritual needs. Worries about the long-term impact of chronic stress, depression, anxiety, and insomnia are a topic of concern for many of my somatic psychotherapy and coaching clients.

A Brief Explanation Of Vagal Theory

The Vagus Nerve, which means "wandering nerve" in Latin, is a cranial nerve that extends from the brainstem (the lower part of the human brain) to the ears, travels down the front of the neck, and reaches all the way to the gut and intestines. the way into th The vagal nerve theory suggests that the vagus nerve, which is the longest cranial nerve in the body, plays a central role in regulating various bodily functions, including heart rate, digestion, immune response, and stress management. It acts as a key pathway for communication between the brain and the body's organs.

In particular, the theory emphasizes the role of the vagus nerve in the parasympathetic nervous system, which promotes relaxation and recovery after stress. Stimulation of the vagus nerve has been linked to improved emotional regulation, reduced inflammation, and even therapeutic effects for conditions like depression and anxiety.

The vagus nerve is thought to help mediate the body's "rest and digest" responses, counteracting the "fight or flight" reactions driven by the sympathetic nervous system.

Creating Your Daily Refuge With The “Safe Place” Exercise
Creating Your Daily Refuge With The “Safe Place” Exercise

Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) is one of the more powerful and transformative therapies designed to help individuals heal from distressing memories and traumatic experiences. As a licensed psychotherapist in New York, I have been providing EMDR therapy for many years. While I enjoy offering other therapeutic modalities, I consistently return to EMDR because it is so effective! One of its essential elements is introduced in the initial protocol of resourcing, and it’s called “Safe Place.” In EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) therapy, the Safe Place exercise is a foundational technique often used in the early phases of treatment. It is designed to help the client access a mental or emotional "safe space" that they can visualize when experiencing distressing memories or emotions during the therapeutic process.

Counseling For Empowerment And Increasing Self-Worth
Counseling For Empowerment And Increasing Self-Worth

Feeling inadequate or "not enough" eventually becomes exhausting. Like many, you are tired of struggling with a poor self-image and self-doubt. Your dreams and life goals are taking a backseat to the constant striving without success. Your life would be more meaningful if you could finally feel like you are enough. Low self-esteem happens for many reasons, and how you talk to yourself also impacts self-esteem. If you want to change your negative self-talk, therapists have various tools to help you achieve that goal.

You can improve your mood and enhance your emotional well-being by learning to shift negative self-talk. Once you learn some of these valuable skills in therapy, you may begin to notice how your negative self-evaluation has led to anxiety, sadness, depression, and low self-esteem. Shifting the way you speak to yourself is not easy, it takes practice. What follows are some helpful strategies to help you on your journey to improve your self-esteem.

No, EMDR Doesn’t Work For Everyone, And Here’s Why
No, EMDR Doesn’t Work For Everyone, And Here’s Why

EMDR Therapy, also known as Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing, is a popular form of healing, powerful healing. As people become more comfortable talking about their mental health concerns, we see more people discussing EMDR, especially celebrities. What is EMDR? When something terrible happens to us, it is stored in our brain and nervous system in a different way than our everyday experiences. Memories and sensations show up when we are least expecting it, just like that, your day has been hijacked. EMDR therapy helps to make the memory less disturbing.

Research reveals that EMDR is a powerful therapeutic approach for resolving symptoms of PTSD and for processing trauma and negative experiences. EMDR has been extensively researched and is recognized as effective by organizations such as the American Psychiatric Association and the World Health Organization for treating PTSD. Many individuals experience significant symptom reduction and improvement in their overall well-being after undergoing EMDR therapy.

About Holistic Psychotherapy & Wellness Manhattan

I’ve been in the holistic wellness & psychology field for nearly twenty years. As a licensed psychotherapist with a private psychotherapy practice in New York City, I blend what I’ve found to be the most effective practices in psychology, neurobiology, attachment, alternative medicine, nutrition, coaching, and mind-body medicine practices. I believe that lasting change and transformation is possible when given the right tools to thrive. I’ve received extensive training and certification in a range of innovative, effective, and evidence-based therapies to offer comprehensive care.

As a holistic psychotherapist, I believe it’s important to address the root cause of emotional and somatic suffering. As a trauma-trained therapist, I am influenced by humanist and existential philosophy, relational theory, attachment theory, psychoanalytic concepts, mindfulness, and somatic, mind, and body psychology. I have received extensive post-graduate training in EMDR Therapy, Internal Family Systems, Psychodynamic Psychotherapy, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), Somatic Experiencing (SE), Nutrition and Integrative Medicine For Mental Health, and more. In marriage and couple counseling, my work is influenced by the Gottman Method, Internal Family Systems, and Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT).

As neuroscience demonstrates, the brain can heal, and the body and mind are inextricably linked. My 20+ years of experience with mindfulness, yoga therapy, and meditation greatly influence my work as a mental health provider. A Holistic therapy model ensures that you thrive in the many aspects of your life—including your relationship with yourself and others. Together, we work with practices designed to create an environment that supports optimal physical and mental health well-being. Lasting change and transformation is possible when given the right tools to thrive.

Holistic Psychotherapy & Wellness Manhattan Therapy Modalities

  • Psychoanalytic, Relational & Interpersonal Psychotherapy

  • Attachment-Focused Couple Therapy (traditional, non-traditional, non-monogamy, alternative lifestyle couples), Sexual Counseling

  • Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), DBT Skills

  • Solution-Focused Brief Therapy

  • Advanced level EMDR Therapy, Parts Therapy, Integrated Internal Family Systems (IFS), Somatic Experiencing

  • Positive Psychology, Positive Neuroplasticity Coaching

  • Transformational, Peak Performance& Wellness Coaching

  • Urban Zen Integrative Therapy, Reiki, Energy Medicine, Yoga Therapy

  • Nutrition & Integrative Medicine For Mental Health, Nutritional Amino Acid Protocols (using precursor amino acids, fatty acids, herbal medicine, supplement recommendations for mood, anxiety, ADHD, addictions, cravings, brain fog, PTSD, and more)

  • Clinical Hypnosis

Kimberly Seelbrede: Post Graduate Training & Certifications

  • New York University - Advanced CBT Certification, Psychodynamic Psychotherapy, Advanced Clinical Practice, Clinical Approaches to the Addictions, Clinical Practice with Adolescents

  • Somatic Experiencing® International (in progress)

  • Eating Disorders, Compulsions & Addictions (EDCAS) Certification

    William Alanson White Institute of Psychiatry, Psychoanalysis & Psychology

  • EMDR Advanced Level EMDR Practitioner - Laurel Parnell PhD

  • Brainspotting - Lisa Schwarz, MEd

  • Positive Neuroplasticity Training Certification - Rick Hanson PhD

  • Nutrition and Integrative Medicine for Mental Health - Leslie Korn PhD

  • IFS Immersion: Integrating Internal Family Systems Across Clinical Applications - Frank Anderson, PhD

  • Dialectical Behavior Therapy - Behavior Tech Institute

  • Mindful Self-Compassion Training - Christopher K. Germer, PhD & Kristen Neff PhD

  • Executive Life Coaching - New York University

  • Institute for Life Coach Training

  • Urban Zen Integrative Therapy Training Program

    Additional Professional Training: Gottman Institute for Couples, Emotionally Focused Therapy, Hypnosis for Trauma & PTSD, Focusing Institute, Whole Body Focusing with Glenn Fleisch, Ph.D. EMDR & Trauma Treatment with Jennifer Sweeton, PsyD, MS, MA. Ongoing workshops: Ester Perel, Bessel van der Kolk, MD, Dan Siegel, MD, Peter Levine, Ph.D, Gabor Mate, MD, Richard Schwartz, PhD, Sue Johnson, IFS, Somatic Experiencing, Trauma-Focused Treatment, Yoga Therapy, Phoenix Rising Yoga Therapy

Clinical practice Expertise & Specialties

  • Depression (major, postpartum depression, SAD, bipolar disorder, atypical depression, dysthymia, situational, chronic sadness)

  • Anxiety (panic, generalized, phobias, social, PTSD), fear, worry, stress management, insomnia, work/life balance

  • Women’s hormonal health, perimenopause and menopause mental health assessment/coaching, chronic pain

  • Trauma resolution, obstacles, blocking beliefs, self-sabotage, problem patterns, and habits

  • Crisis counseling, life challenges, transitions, grief, loss and bereavement

  • Dysfunctional relationship dynamics, professional and personal relationships, communication difficulties, divorce, separation

  • Shadow work, energetic blocks, boundary work

  • Addictions, behavioral addictions, substance abuse, alcoholism and compulsions

  • Family of origin, codependency, family conflict resolution, submissiveness and recovery from family enmeshment, ACOA

  • Recovery and post-rehab support (step-down support, wellness planning, new habit maintenance, and self-care)

  • Celebrity mental health expertise and high-profile, VIP clients, therapy for entrepreneurs, executives, creatives, medical professionals

talk therapy not enough? Find lasting Healing & Transformation with EMDR

If traditional talk therapy has not yielded the desired healing results, it might be time to consider a different model of care. I’ve been trained in many effective therapies, but I find myself consistently returning to EMDR. EMDR Therapy changed my practice years ago because it works and it changes lives. It is the one treatment method that is consistently powerful and transformative for my patients, especially when other highly effective therapies such as IFS, CBT, and Somatic Experiencing are integrated into sessions. Therapy is highly individualized, and depending on your unique needs, chosen therapy modalities may include: EMDR, Psychodynamic Psychotherapy, CBT, Internal Family Systems, Mindfulness, and Somatic Experiencing®. I completed EMDRIA-approved EMDR advanced Levels I & II training and supervision many years ago and I’ve used it in my New York City psychotherapy private practice consistently and with excellent results.

EMDR therapy is highly effective in addressing underlying beliefs, patterns, and blocks that can hinder progress in traditional therapy or life coaching. EMDR treatment can help transform mere survival into thriving, leading to a life free from disruptive symptoms. By reprocessing difficult or traumatic memories, EMDR can boost resilience and vitality in the nervous system. EMDR is not only for trauma; it is also valuable for enhancing performance in athletes, creatives, and work-related endeavors. During the pandemic, many of us discovered that EMDR can be effectively offered to many patients virtually. Virtual EMDR can be a powerful addition to your therapy journey, whether used in conjunction with your existing therapy or as a standalone solution. learn more about EMDR Therapy

Create An Hour Of Refuge And Focus On Your Emotional Wellbeing

Expert, experienced Online Therapy Serving NYC & NY State Residents

faqs about online therapy in nYC: how does Virtual therapy/video therapy work?

The technology for telemedicine has been available for decades, but the pandemic made virtual therapy a necessity. It's surprising how many people have benefitted from online virtual therapy. Like many therapists in NYC, I've been conducting virtual sessions for some time, so I'm comfortable working with technology. It's important to note that teletherapy isn't suitable for everyone seeking counseling, as many people prefer conducting psychotherapy sessions in person.

How does Online therapy work?

This holistic psychotherapy and wellness practice in New York City understands that many people have busy schedules and may find it difficult to commute to therapy sessions. That's why I offer virtual therapy and telephone therapy as modern options for counseling. This is especially convenient for individuals who work, travel, have young children with different schedules, are young adults, college students, or expats. After scheduling an online session, you will receive a secure session link from the HIPAA-compliant platform SimplePractice. You can access the virtual therapy office using your computer, iOS/Android phone, iPad, or any other tablet-enabled device. Most laptops have a built-in camera and microphone, making it easy to participate in the sessions. Creating an emotionally safe space in your home or office for virtual sessions is also important, and all you need is a strong internet connection.

What kind of therapy is offered virtually?

Online sessions are treated the same way as face-to-face sessions, using the same evidence-based therapy modalities, including Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), EMDR, Internal Family Systems (IFS), trauma therapy, psychodynamic psychotherapy, somatic psychotherapy, life coaching, wellness coaching, and stress management. Remote EMDR has been found to be just as effective for trauma resolution and other concerns as in-person EMDR. However, not everyone or every situation should be treated remotely, so it’s important to contact potential therapists to determine if virtual therapy is appropriate for your situation. Research now demonstrates that therapy sessions conducted by teletherapy are just as effective as face-to-face therapy. Read the research.

Who can benefit from virtual therapy?

Anyone can access high-quality therapy in a private, confidential, and convenient manner. Seeking therapy with an experienced NYC psychotherapist can lead to healthier relationships, new perspectives, reaching goals, and building resilience. Therapy can provide support during stressful and challenging times, helping you feel less alone with your problems. Living in New York City comes with unique challenges, including a fast-paced lifestyle and high levels of stress. If you're experiencing feelings of anxiety, depression, loneliness, loss, substance use, or unresolved trauma PTSD, know that you're not alone. Holistic Psychotherapy & Wellness Manhattan offers evidence-based counseling and an integrative psychotherapy philosophy tailored to your unique needs. As a licensed psychotherapist in New York, I can see you whether you live in the NYC metro area or anywhere in New York State. There are various modern therapy options available, such as BetterHelp, TalkSpace, and the numerous licensed psychotherapists and psychologists on Psychology Today who provide high-quality therapy in the US and worldwide. Interested in receiving therapy in New York using your health insurance benefits? Holistic Psychotherapy & Wellness Manhattan is In-Network with BCBS & Aetna, and Out-of-Network with most health insurances. I have also been reimbursed by Aetna, Cigna, BCBS, Emblem, Oxford, United, and many more for out-of-network mental health services. Most of my clients are compensated about 50-100% of my fees.

How can Integrative Psychotherapy & Wellness NYC enhance your life?

  • Gain support through a personal crisis, transition, loss, trauma, or challenging situation that causes personal or relational distress

  • Heal codependency and feel empowered, autonomous, safe, and secure in your life as self-esteem naturally increases

  • Find relief for sadness, depression, and chronic depression with interpersonal psychotherapy, cognitive behavioral therapy, and EMDR

  • Uncover unconscious conflicts, patterns and blocking beliefs that may be sabotaging your success and happiness

  • Address dissociation, body image, eating disorders, compulsions, addictions, substance use or abuse, and obsessions

  • Learn to identify important thoughts, feelings, emotions, motivations, and unconscious internal conflicts with insight-oriented therapy

  • Develop enhanced self-awareness as well as empathy and compassion for self and others with relational therapy

  • Break through blocks in intimacy, detach from unhealthy relationships, and break patterns of repetition in significant relationships

  • Learn to identify triggers that lead to anger, confusion, and relationship dysfunction in couple and relationship counseling

  • Develop effective, assertive communication skills to benefit personal and professional relationships

  • Learn more adaptive coping skills, self-care rituals, self-acceptance, and mindfulness to create a healthy work-life balance

  • Uncover patterns of crippling perfectionism that interfere with achievement, success, and personal happiness using EMDR

  • Process and heal painful feelings of loneliness, disappointment, sadness, loss, grief, guilt, shame, anger, envy and fear

  • Resolve trauma and abuse symptoms, develop healthier boundaries, and heal early attachment wounds with EMDR Therapy

  • Discover protocols using precursor amino acids, fatty acids, herbal medicine, supplements for mood, anxiety, ADHD, addictions, cravings, brain fog, PTSD

  • Identify hormone-related (peri-menopause, menopause) anxiety, depression, insomnia, brain fog, low energy, pain, migraines, fibromyalgia

  • Learn self-care, meditation, breathing techniques, energy medicine & somatic therapy practices to regulate your nervous system

  • Obtain consultations for referrals to psychopharmacologists, psychiatrists, psychologists, and other allied professionals