KIMBERLY M. PITRELLI, MA, LMHC

MENTAL HEALTH COUNSELING ~ MANHATTAN & LONG ISLAND, NY

Kimberly M. Pitrelli, MA, LMHC, CCTP

MENTAL HEALTH COUNSELING ~ MANHATTAN & LONG ISLAND, NY

Background

Before starting my private practice in 2012, I had the privilege of working for the Chair of Psychiatry, William Breitbart, MD at Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center on end-of-life research studies for terminally ill cancer patients. Specifically, Dr. Breitbart’s research and implantations of Meaning-Centered Psychotherapy (MCP)–a manualized brief, structured psychotherapeutic intervention to help patients suffering with loss of meaning around illness–shaped the foundation of my clinical work.

The existential framework of Meaning-Centered Psychotherapy is designed to help diminish feelings of despair that can be associated with cancer by helping patients focus on the importance of creating, reconnecting with, experiencing, and sustaining meaning in the face of illness.

I incorporate those key elements helping individuals explore the various ways in which one feels conflicted and/or in confrontation with aspects of his/her current state of well-being. My therapeutic framework addresses psychological angst and despair as it relates to one’s inability to actualize his or her potential—spiritually, personally and emotionally. I am focused on helping individuals gain the courage and emotional comfort needed to ultimately alter one’s perception of self.

Services

Telehealth & In-Person Therapy

Individual counseling services help individuals develop more adaptive responses to life’s core existential dilemmas. Sessions are designed to help you overcome personal challenges and achieve your goals whether in-person or virtually.

Couples Therapy

Couples’ counseling services can help you and your partner improve communication, resolve conflicts, and build a stronger relationship. Whether you are facing challenges related to intimacy, trust, or other issues, couples’ therapy can help you work through them and achieve greater satisfaction in your relationship.

Family Therapy

Family counseling services are designed to help families overcome challenges related to communication, conflict, and other issues. The goal is working with families to identify strengths and weaknesses, improve communication and problem-solving skills, and develop a stronger sense of cohesion and support.

Education

Clinical Training

Certifications

Areas of Focus

Trauma
Coping with Loss
Grief & Bereavement
Spiritual/Existential Issues
Anxiety & Depression
Coping & Mindfulness Skills
Relationship issues
Marital Counseling

Research Experience

Publications/Abstracts

Halkitis, P., Mattis, J., Sahaddath, J., Cowie, S, Massie, D., Pitrelli, K., Bonacci, M. (2009). The Meanings and Manifestations of Religiosity and Spirituality in the Lives of LGBT Adults. Journal of Adult Development.

Mattis, J., Ladyzhenskaya, L., So, S., Massie, D., Pitrelli, K., Bonacci, M., Perry, S., & Matos, T. (in press). The Social Production of Altruistic Love in a Low Income African American Community.

Poppito S, Lichtenthal, W, Pitrelli, K, Berg, A, Olden, M, Abbey, J, Rosenfeld, B, Breitbart, W. The effects of Individual Meaning- Centered Psychotherapy among advanced stage cancer patients. Abstracts of the 9th World Congress of Psycho-Oncology 16-20 September, 2007, London, United Kingdom. Abstract #8-C, Journal of Psycho-Oncology 16 (S2) S1–S288 (2007).

Poppito, S, Pitrelli, K, Berg, A, Breitbart, W. Meaning-Centered Psychotherapies in Advanced Cancer: Helping Patients Find & Maintain Meaning in Life. Abstracts of the 10th Congress of the European Association for Palliative Care, June 7-9, 2007, Budapest, Hungary. Abstract #464.

Poppito, S, Pitrelli, K, Berg, A, Breitbart, W, Chochinov, H. In Good Hands: Dignity Therapy & a Mother’s Legacy in End-of-Life Cancer Care. Abstracts of the American Psychosocial Oncology Society 4th Annual Conference March 1-4, 2007, Austin, TX. Abstract XIV-3.

Poppito, S, Olden, M, Pitrelli, K, Berg, A, Breitbart, W. Individual Meaning-Centered Psychotherapy: Finding Meaning in Advanced Cancer. Abstracts of the

American Psychosocial Oncology Society 4th Annual Conference March 1-4, 2007, Austin, TX. Abstract PVII-8.

Poppito S, Abbey J, Olden, M, Pitrelli, K, Berg, A, Rosenfeld B, Breitbart W. [“Best Poster” Award] Individual Meaning-Centered Psychotherapy in Advanced Cancer: A Focus on Meaning & Legacy. Abstracts of the 8th World Congress of Psycho-Oncology 16-21 October, 2006, Ferrara-Venice, Italy. Abstract #870, Journal of Psycho-Oncology 15: SI-S370 (2006).

Presentations

Gold, H.T., Pitrelli, K., Hayes, M.K., & Murphy, M.M. (2011, October) Adoption Decisions for New Radiotherapy Technology For Breast Cancer. Poster to be presented at at the 33rd Annual Meeting of the Society for Medical Decision Making, Chicago, IL.

Lichtenthal, W. G., Poppito, S., Olden, M., Berg, A., Pitrelli, K., Pessin, H., Rosenfeld, B. & Breitbart, W. (2009, April) Effects of meaning-centered psychotherapy on facets of meaning among advanced cancer patients: A closer look at the FACIT-Sp. Poster presented at the 30th Annual Meeting of the Society of Behavioral Medicine, Montreal, QC, Canada.

Lichtenthal, W. G., Poppito, S., Olden, M., Berg, A., Pitrelli, K., Pessin, H., Rosenfeld, B. & Breitbart, W. (2008, April). Facets of meaning: Differential effects of meaning-centered psychotherapy among advanced cancer patients. Poster presented at the Association for Death Education and Counseling 30th Annual Conference, Montreal, QC, Canada.

Mattis, J., Massie, D., Pitrelli, K., Bonacci, M. (2005, July) The Social Production of Altruistic Love in a Low Income African American Community,

American Psychological Association Conference, Washington, D.C.

Contact

New York, NY

224 W 30th Street, Suite 903, New York, NY 10001

Southampton, NY

239 Montauk Highway, Office 149, Southampton, NY 11968

(Affiliated with Stony Brook University Southampton Campus)