Philosophy

As a licensed clinical psychologist, I specialize in relationships, couples therapy, and trauma. Helping people heal and find their way to a vibrant life and fulfilling relationships is my true calling. In our work together we discover your vision of an optimal life and help you move towards it. My role is to help you become more effective in navigating your life experiences and relationship and creating the life you want.

​My stance is authentic, collaborative, empathetic, and holistic, and our work together is a dynamic conversation that brings healing and growth. I am thoughtful and listen deeply for your strengths as well as the factors that keep you stuck. Honoring possible good reasons for the stuck places, I help you release and move through them. I honor and appreciate the diversity of identities and backgrounds and strive to provide a safe space for you to feel seen and understood.

Treatment Approach

I have extensive experience in different approaches to psychotherapy and am most grounded in the Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT) model. EFT helps you identify behaviors and thoughts that may be impacting relationships and connections with your sense of self as well as others around you. I am a certified EFT Therapist and Supervisor and am a board member of the New York Center for Emotionally Focused Therapy.  My interventions draw upon attachment science, evidence-based methods, as well as contemplative practices.  

​Cultural Sensitivity

​My family is mixed race and multi-cultural, and conversations about race, culture, gender, and diversity are frequent at our dinner table. Being an immigrant myself, I understand the experience of immigration, acculturation, and possible obstacles on the way and bring cultural humility and sensitivity into my work. I am fluent in Russian as well as English.

​Personal Beliefs

I value courage of self-expression, creativity in all aspects of life, openness and curiosity, and heart-centered action. I believe that we cannot lead people to places we have never been ourselves and I aspire to practice what I preach. In fact, I painted many of the images that you see on this website. As a life-long student of contemplative practices, meditation, and movement, including yoga and dance, I look to bring inspiration and vibrancy into my life. Being a mom of two young children, and balancing my family and professional responsibilities keeps me humble, flexible, and understanding of the experiences of others.

Experience and Training

I am a clinical psychologist licensed in the states of NY and NJ, and a Telehealth provider in FL. I have earned by PhD in Clinical Psychology from the University of Virginia. In addition to my private practice at Touchstone Psychology, I am an Assistant Clinical Professor at NYU Langone Health. I was a founding member of the Steven A. Cohen Military Family Clinic at NYU Langone where I worked with military veterans and their families for close to 10 years. I have worked with individuals and couples from all walks of life, including professionals, CEO’s, creatives, police officers, and the military, and the diversity of my experiences has taught me to honor human resilience and our innate longing for connection and growth.
  • PhD - Program in Clinical and School Psychology, Curry School of Education, University of Virginia, 2009
  • BA - University of Virginia, 2005
  • Postdoctoral Fellowship in Forensic Psychology - Bellevue Hospital 2009-2010
  • Postdoctoral Fellowship Program - PTSD Research Program NYU Langone Health 2010-2012
  • Certified EFT Therapist and Supervisor
  • Certified therapist in Cognitive Processing Therapy
  • Specialized training in STAIR/Narrative Therapy for PTSD 
  • Member of International Society for Traumatic Stress Studies (ISTSS), International Centre for Excellence in Emotionally Focused Therapy (ICEEFT), and New York Center of Emotionally Focused Therapy (NYCEFT). 
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​​Click here to view the complete CV of Irina Wen, PhD. (previously known as Irina Komarovskaya, PhD) 

Media

  • Relationships and couples therapy. Dr. Radio, siriusxm.  
  • Surviving and thriving as a couple in the pandemic. Psychology Today 
  • What can I do if my family member is in the COVID ICU? A few tips for coping: Psychology Today 
  • How to Mentally Cope if You’re Living with Your Parents Again: Today.com 
  • How the Simple Act of Nature Helps you De-Stress: NBC News 
  • 7 Ways to De-Stress for Less: First Bristol
  • 7 Successful People Dish on Their Worst Job Interviews and What They Learned: New York Times
  • 6 Things I Learned from Dating Someone with PTSD: Thrive Global
  • Social Distancing Alone Is Making Me Crave Physical Touch: SELF

Recent podcast appearances: 
  • Corona Survival Show for Couples and Families with Jeff Fine, LCSW and Irina Wen, PhdD: ​Here
  • Irina Wen, PhD and Liliana Doyon, LMFT discuss ways couples can help each other during this quarantine: Here
  • EFT for Couples – VIDEO Conversation with Irina Wen and Zoya Simakhodskaya (In Russian): Here

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​Read our FAQs and Resources.
Offering Virtual Therapy to Residents of New York, New Jersey and Florida.
In-person appointments are available in Manhattan, and Warwick, NY and greater Orange County.
To Schedule an appointment, call 646.455.3449 or contact me