The Thespian Therapist, what is that? I’m a Professional Performer. I’m a Mental Health Counselor. A literal thespian and therapist. I have a BFA in Drama (Musical Theatre Concentration) from @carnegiemellon and an MA in Mental Health Counseling and Wellness from @nyusteinhardt
What started as an idea for a way to have a flexible job in between shows has grown into a marriage of my two passions in the best possible way. I wasn’t anticipating it, but being a therapist helps me be a better performer, and being an artist helps me be a more effective therapist. I use my artist training to help my clients explore and express themselves, and to find empathy for others through role play and imagination. I use my psychology knowledge to help all of my clients but especially those in the arts industry who are navigating a very particular and sometimes peculiar work field. I aim to spread awareness, provide support, reduce stigmas, and create accessible information that can benefit everyone on their mental health journey. Thespians and spectators alike.
What started as an idea for a way to have a flexible job in between shows has grown into a marriage of my two passions in the best possible way. I wasn’t anticipating it, but being a therapist helps me be a better performer, and being an artist helps me be a more effective therapist. I use my artist training to help my clients explore and express themselves, and to find empathy for others through role play and imagination. I use my psychology knowledge to help all of my clients but especially those in the arts industry who are navigating a very particular and sometimes peculiar work field. I aim to spread awareness, provide support, reduce stigmas, and create accessible information that can benefit everyone on their mental health journey. Thespians and spectators alike.
CURRENTLY ON A WAITLIST FOR NEW CLIENTS
I accept Aetna, Anthem, BC/BS, UHC, UMR, Oxford, Meritain, Cigna, Optum through:
I accept Aetna, Anthem, BC/BS, UHC, UMR, Oxford, Meritain, Cigna, Optum through:
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Imari Hardon(she/her) is a Mental Health Counselor, Limited Permit #116780-01. Additionally, she is on the journey to becoming a Certified Practitioner of Psychodrama. Imari holds a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Drama (musical theater concentration) from Carnegie Mellon University. Previous to her foray into the mental health field, Imari worked professionally in stage, television, and production, including performing for five years in Avenue Q off-Broadway and acting as associate producer for Broadway Sessions. After years of mental health advocacy, Imari has found the perfect marriage of her passions for theatre and helping people in her pursuit of mental health counseling. She blends her entertainment background with her psychology and counseling training to create a dynamic and experiential counseling style. Imari is supervised by JoAnne Singh, MA, LMHC who is certified in IFS and EMDR.
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Imari feels that a therapeutic relationship based on collaboration, trust and respect is essential for an effective journey towards psychological healing, growth and well-being. Her areas of focus include interpersonal issues, social anxiety, self-image/esteem issues, depression, anxiety, trauma recovery and issues specific to artists. As a Black woman in America, and a proud misfit, Imari understands first hand what it is like to be misunderstood, and the importance of being heard and seen authentically. Utilizing the same philosophy she used to develop a theater character’s back story, Imari’s clinical approach is to work with her clients to develop a culturally conscious understanding of how you got to where you are, and to co-construct a plan for how you want to get where you want to go. Imari’s approach is an eclectic integration that includes psychodynamic techniques, Psychodrama, EMDR, drama therapy, narrative therapy, Internal Family Systems therapy, and yoga. She can be reached at [email protected] or call her at (347) 903-0087.
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