Alison Restak, LCSW, MBSR Teacher

Do you feel uncertain about your purpose in life? Are you dissatisfied with your current direction or the quality of your relationships? Do you have goals or dreams but struggle to take the first step? The good news is that you already have what you need to experience greater happiness. The wisdom you seek is within you, often clouded by negative thought patterns and self-defeating habits.

​

From a young age, I knew I wanted to be a therapist. I loved listening to people, understanding their struggles, and offering support. Growing up playing the harp and piano, music became my refuge during difficult times—it was my medicine. This connection between music and healing led me to pursue a career that blends my two passions, music and therapy, to help others find their path to emotional well-being.

​

Over the past 18 years, I’ve worked in a wide range of clinical settings—from music therapy with children facing developmental challenges to career coaching and therapy with veterans transitioning back to civilian life. Most of my work has been in outpatient mental health settings and Employee Assistance Programs (EAPs) in hospitals and corporations. I currently provide emotional health support to Ernst & Young (EY) employees and teach Mindful Leadership, an 8-week course designed for firm leaders and employees across the Americas.

​

I take a strengths-based approach with my clients, focusing on resilience and the innate capacity for positive change. I’m continuously inspired by the individuals I work with, witnessing their growth as they navigate challenges and work toward their personal and professional aspirations. There is much to gain from reaching out for support—a therapist can be a trusted guide, offering a safe, nonjudgmental space where healing and growth can flourish.

​

In addition to my work as a therapist, I am a long-time meditator, fitness enthusiast, and avid runner. I believe in a holistic approach to therapy that integrates mindfulness practices and emphasizes the mind-body connection. By cultivating self-awareness, self-acceptance, and compassion, we can engage more fully with oursefully engaged around us.

​

I am a fully certified Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) teacher. I completed my professional training with senior faculty at the University of Massachusetts Center for Mindfulness and mentorship hours with Steve Hickman at the University of California, San Diego, Center for Integrative Health (UCSD).

 

Please contact me below for more information about individual therapy services, mindfulness groups, workshops, and MBSR classes in Brooklyn and Manhattan.​

​​