Meet Gerarda McDougall

Therapist In-Person in Plainview & Online Across NY

A place to be honest, be taken seriously, and feel genuinely understood.

Schedule A Free Consultation

You’re not broken—the things that helped you get this far just aren’t as effective as they used to be.

The good news is, things don’t have to stay this way.

Overthinking, staying busy, relying on food, alcohol, marijuana, or other ways of shutting things off—these are often the strategies you’ve leaned on to get through your days. They’ve helped you keep going and find some relief when things have felt overwhelming. But over time, they’ve started to create their own problems: guilt, shame, conflict in your relationships, and disconnection from yourself. You know something has to change, but you’re not really sure what that change should look like yet.

That’s where our work begins—looking honestly at what’s working for you, what’s not, and what you want your life to feel like moving forward.

My Approach

I believe things can feel better than they do now, and I’m committed to seeing you through the work it takes to get there.

I’ve been doing this work for 30+ years, and one thing experience teaches you is that change doesn’t happen in a straight line. People move forward, get stuck, feel discouraged, go back to square one, and question themselves—and that’s just part of the process. 

My approach is grounded in staying present and engaged even when things feel ambiguous or slow-going, rather than pushing you to reach a conclusion you may not be ready for. I won’t rush you, pressure you, or give up on you. We’ll learn to tolerate the discomfort of the inbetween and sit with whatever comes up until we can start moving again. I take this work seriously, and I’ll be alongside you every step of the way—even if the path forward isn’t entirely clear yet.

Therapy with me is…

Intentional

Our time together is focused, purposeful, and belongs to you, so I won’t waste it with idle chatter or small talk about my life. I pay close attention to what you bring into the room and carry it with me from session to session. When I recall details you’ve shared before, it’s not because I have an unusually good memory—it’s because I’m listening carefully and treating your experience with importance.

Led by curiosity

I don’t come into sessions with an agenda or assumptions about what “should” be happening. Curiosity helps us understand what’s really going on, and I’ll often ask questions like “What’s the evidence for that thought?” or “Is this anxiety talking, or is there something else here?” Instead of judging your reactions, we’ll observe them together and work to make sense of them.

Responsive & adaptable

What we focus on can shift depending on what you need in the moment. Sometimes we’ll slow down to understand what’s coming up for you. Other times, we might be more direct or practical. I can also coordinate with your other providers to ensure you get the well-rounded care you deserve. I’ll check in along the way and adjust my approach when something isn’t working, so you get the most out of your time here.

A real relationship

This work is collaborative from day one. You bring your life experiences, I bring my clinical expertise, perspective, attention, and consistency. We share responsibility for the process, and you’re encouraged to speak up about what feels helpful or what doesn’t. Therapy isn’t something happening to you—it’s a process you’re actively involved in.

Anxiety & Overwhelm

 Substance Use & Addiction

Eating Disorders

See clearly. Live fully.

    • New York University MSW degree (1991)

    • LCSW (1991)

    • ACSW (1996)

    • BCD (2006)

  • Psychodynamic Therapy 

    • Focuses on understanding how earlier experiences and long-standing patterns show up in present-day thoughts, relationships, and choices.

    Attachment-Based Therapy

    • Looks at how your early relationships shaped the way you connect, relate, and take care of yourself now.

    Trauma-Informed Care

    • Takes into account how past experiences may still affect you today, while moving at a pace that feels respectful and manageable.

    Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)

    • Helps you notice patterns in your thinking, separate facts from feelings, and respond to anxious or self-critical thoughts in a more grounded way.

We’re in this together now.

Schedule free consultation