*Dr. Mandel is unable to provide psychological services at this time.*

Supporting Mental Health

Dr. Mandel practices cognitive-behavioral therapy with adults, couples, and families. She works sensitively with her clients, providing them with a safe and nonjudgmental space in which to express difficult thoughts and feelings and learn adaptive coping skills. Dr. Mandel works to understand each unique individual. With care and expertise in research-supported psychotherapy approaches, Dr. Mandel helps to improve functioning and reduce distress in her clients’ lives. 

Areas of specialty include:

  • Anxiety

  • Depression

  • Trauma

  • Relationship concerns

  • Grief and loss

  • Life transitions

Maternal Mental Health

Research suggests that women are at the highest risk of experiencing psychological distress during pregnancy and postpartum. According to Postpartum Support International, 15 to 20% of women experience significant symptoms of depression and/or anxiety during or after pregnancy. Transition can be difficult – even positive changes can lead to an increase in stress and negatively impact mental health. Dr. Mandel supports women as they undergo the physical, hormonal, and emotional changes that arise during pregnancy and postpartum with the goal to enhance psychological well-being. She assists women with the transition into motherhood by providing a safe space to uncover thoughts, feelings, and the challenges that may arise during this period of significant change. With specialized training in perinatal mood disorders and perinatal bereavement, Dr. Mandel provides effective cognitive-behavioral treatment interventions that are specifically tailored to working with women during the preconception, pregnancy, and postpartum period.

Areas of specialty include:

  • Deciding whether to become a parent

  • Pregnancy and postpartum anxiety

  • Pregnancy and postpartum depression

  • Grief and trauma related to significant losses, such as miscarriage, pregnancy termination, stillbirth, or other stressful birth experience

  • Concerns regarding bonding and attachment with your child

  • Navigating professional and family life-balance

  • Parenting strategies

LGBT Affirmative

Dr. Mandel is an LGBT affirmative psychologist. She has research expertise and has published in the area of the effects of sexual stigma (i.e., homophobia) on mental health and best-practice psychotherapeutic interventions to address the consequences of living in a prejudiced culture. Dr. Mandel works with clients who are undergoing the coming-out process, are struggling with exposure to stigma, or have internalized the cultural level of stigma into their own self-concept (i.e.,  “internalized homophobia”). She creates a supportive, safe, and affirming therapeutic environment and encourages identity development with her LGBT clients.

Areas of specialty include:

  • The coming-out process

  • Addressing the effects of stigma on mental health

  • Relationship and family concerns

  • Family planning

  • Empowering clients to embrace and celebrate their identities