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OUR TEAM

Our therapists believe in treating our clients with an individualized approach based on therapy techniques rooted in scientific evidence. Get to know more about us before we get to know you.

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Let our caring, honest, scientifically based approach to therapy give you the tools and strategies you need to get unstuck and start living your life more fully. We integrate gold-standard treatments such as CBT, ACT, and ERP as we focus on helping each client reach their goals.

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MICHAEL JACOBS, PHD

Licensed Clinical Psychologist, Clinic Supervisor

BIO

Dr. Michael Jacobs has over 15 years of experience working with clients in different capacities who have mental health challenges. Prior to becoming a psychologist, Michael worked as a vocal coach, a voice teacher, and has a decade of experience as a professional musical theater performer.
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Michael is also involved in research and training projects. In 2010, Michael began training therapists across the country in CBT (Cognitive Behavioral Therapy) for psychosis and Group and Family-Based CBT for the prevention of paranoia. The mental health needs of performing artists holds a special place in Michael's heart. Through research, he adapted an acceptance and commitment therapy protocol to treat audition anxiety in professional musical theater performers (ACT for Actors). He continues his work in both research and training at Mount Sinai Medical School. 


As a therapist, Michael has developed a caring, honest, creative and direct style that helps him to better connect to his clients. That connection allows him to help people meet their individual goals. He treats a range of mental health issues utilizing CBT and ACT. He believes that the practice of psychology involves both art and science; the implementation of therapy is art that should be informed by scientific research.


In addition to training other mental health professionals and medical professionals, Michael provides mental health awareness training to performing arts educators through workshops and presentations. These workshops allow teachers to recognize the mental health challenges of their students, adapt more effective teaching styles and collaborate with mental health professionals to provide better training for students.

Michael holds a PhD with distinction in clinical psychology from Hofstra University as well as a BFA from Ithaca College. He is a member of  APA (American Psychological Association).

AREAS OF EXPERTISE

  • Social Anxiety Disorder

    • Performance Anxiety​

    • Audition Anxiety

  • Panic Attacks

  • Mental Health of Performing Artists

  • Clinical Perfectionism

  • Anxiety and Phobias

  • Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD)

  • Depression

  • Adult Attention Deficit Disorder (ADHD)

  • Psychosis Risk

  • Insomnia

  • Relationship Difficulties

    • Non-Monogamy​

    • LGBTQ+ Relationships

  • Life Transitions

  • Difficulties with Self-Esteem

  • Eating Issues

  • Professional/Career Issues

  • Stress Management

  • LGBTQ+ Counseling

  • Grief, Loss, or Bereavement

  • Other Issues 

LICENSED TO PRACTICE IN:

In Person or Via Telehealth:​​

  • New York​

  • Connecticut

  • New Jersey

  • PSYPACT (AL, AZ, AR, CO, CNMI, DE, DC, FL, GA, ID, IL, IN, KS, KY, ME, MD, MI, MN, MO, NE, NV, NH, NC, ND, OH, OK, PA, RI, SC, TN, TX, UT, VA, WA, WV, WI, and WY)

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BROOKE DAIRMAN, LMSW

Licensed Social Worker

BIO

Brooke Robyn Dairman is an honors graduate of the University of Pennsylvania and received her Masters degree in Social Work from Columbia University. Shortly after completing her education, she launched a successful performance career in musical theater and dance that spanned a decade.  She also worked 'behind the table,' serving as dance captain/assistant to several Broadway choreographers and as a professional choreographer herself. 

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After retiring as a performer, Brooke continued to foster her passion for performance through teaching and now serves as Co-Director of The Dance Loft and Director of Professional Youth Theatre, two thriving arts education programs in Long Beach, NY. Throughout her time in the high-pressured performing arts industry, Brooke observed a profound need for more emotional and mental health resources for actors, singers, dancers, and artists of all types.

 

Warmth, empathy, and a strengths-based approach characterizes the therapeutic relationship that Brooke develops with each of her clients.  Above all else, however, her role is to help clients achieve REAL behavioral change.  Brooke's goal is for her clients to function fully with OR without therapy and to develop an ability to assess, address, and conquer obstacles they face.  Her primary modality is evidence-based cognitive behavioral therapy, and Brooke's objective for each of her clients is to come away from therapy having truly learned how to apply the principles of CBT in their lives.  Cognitive and behavioral change is possible!  

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As a therapist at PICBT, Brooke is excited to marry her knowledge of the performing arts with her expertise in mental health and provide clients with the tools needed to explore a fulfilling career and a healthy, joyful life.

AREAS OF EXPERTISE

  • Social Anxiety Disorder

    • Performance Anxiety​

    • Audition Anxiety

  • Panic Attacks

  • Mental Health of Performing Artists

  • Clinical Perfectionism

  • Anxiety and Phobias

  • Depression

  • Adult Attention Deficit Disorder (ADHD)

  • Life Transitions

  • Difficulties with Self-Esteem

  • Eating Issues

  • Professional/Career Issues

  • Stress Management

  • Grief, Loss, or Bereavement

  • Other Issues 

LICENSED TO PRACTICE IN:

Via Telehealth​

  • Connecticut

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