Meet Maya Pintar, LCSW
About me
As a Chinese adoptee, I've always held curiosity about how relationships with caregivers in childhood influence us as adults. I quickly learned that exploring these formative years can reveal fascinating insights into patterns of behavior, attachment styles, and emotional well-being. I have clinical experience working with a range of populations, but particularly enjoy working with adults. Whether you are drawn to uncovering the roots of your own struggles or seeking to better support children in your life, exploring early experiences can be a transformative journey of self-discovery. You don't have to navigate your healing journey alone.
Education:
- Graduated in 2019 with a Master of Social Work from Columbia University
License:
- Licensed Clinical Social Worker
Approach
I’m committed to creating an inclusive, anti-racist, LGBTQIA+ affirming space grounded in social justice. In my approach, I view clients as experts in their own lives and work in partnership with them to honor their experiences, values, and strengths, while offering support, guidance, and tools to help them achieve their goals. I utilize different therapy modalities depending on what arises in our work together. Here are some of the most common ones I incorporate:
- Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) teaches folks how to manage strong emotions, navigate stress, and improve their relationships. It combines mindfulness with practical coping skills to promote a more stable and fulfilling life.
- Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) is a trauma therapy to process distressing memories. It uses guided eye movements or other forms of bilateral stimulation to help the brain process difficult emotions, reducing the intensity of those memories and helping folks feel less overwhelmed by them over time.
- Internal Family Systems (IFS) helps folks understand the different “parts” of themselves (like an anxious or a critical part) and how these parts impact thoughts, feelings, and behaviors. By connecting with their core, calm, curious self, folks can heal past wounds.
- Interpersonal Therapy (IPT) focuses on relationship struggles and big life changes by improving communication and problem-solving skills. Folks are supported in building healthier connections and feeling more emotionally balanced.
- Psychodynamic therapy helps folks understand how their past experiences, especially in childhood, shape their thoughts, feelings, and relationships today. By exploring emotions and behavior patterns, folks can gain insight, heal old wounds, and have the courage to make positive change.