OUR TEAM
KRISTY LAROCCA, MA, LMHC
Founder/Therapist/Supervisor
Kristy strives to provide a therapeutic environment where clients feel not only safe and non-judged but also truly seen and truly heard. She believes that securing a trusting and genuine bond with her clients is of utmost importance before any real therapy can begin. She works collaboratively with clients to help them understand themselves more deeply and evoke meaning in their challenges so that they can ultimately live life more fully and authentically. She provides the support needed for clients to begin taking steps outside of their comfort zones and toward facilitating the changes that they wish to see.
Kristy has experience working with clients with a wide range of difficulties and is well versed in various theories of psychotherapy. She considers herself a genuinely integrative therapist, often adjusting her style to fit each client and their unique and evolving needs.
Kristy received her Masters in Mental Health Counseling from Brooklyn College and has taught psychology courses as an Adjunct Professor at Brooklyn College. She completed her internship at the Institute for Human Identity, one of NYC's leading training programs for LGBTQ+ affirmative psychotherapy, and has served the queer community as a Staff Therapist and Director of the Intern Training Program there for several years. Kristy is currently working on enhancing and expanding the Institute for Human Identity's LGBTQ+ Competency Training Program. Kristy also provides supervision and consultation services to other therapists and professionals.
INNA DUKACH, MA, MHC-LP
Therapist
Inna approaches her work with clients as an evolving collaboration, fulfilling the profound and universal desire to be known and accepted. Using an integrative approach, Inna views effective therapy not as panacea, but as a ladder into the unknown: helping clients through obstacles towards specific goals, deeper into the self, outward toward another, and through challenging transitions.
For the past twenty years, Inna has worked and traveled internationally as a professional opera singer and coach. Her training and experience in the arts have given her deep insight into the particular challenges of performing artists. Inna understands that performing takes courage to embark upon and courage to be continually vulnerable in the face of constant rejection. She knows the joys and challenges of developing an artistic career, having the career, and transitioning out of the career. Her unique understanding could be helpful to others struggling to find themselves as artists and as people.
Born in Russia and raised in New York, Inna received a BA in Psychology from Smith College, an MA in Vocal Performance from Mannes College of Music, and an MA Mental Health Counseling from The City College of New York. She completed her internship at the Institute for Human Identity, where she received extensive training and experience in working with a variety of gender identities and sexualities, and in working with people in various life transitions, particularly with young adults and issues surrounding identity formation.
RACHEL RIFKIN, MA, EdM, LMHC
Therapist
Rachel’s goal for therapy is to create a safe and supportive space for clients to be authentically where they are in the moment and in their process. Rachel uses a collaborative, humanized approach to create a trusting therapeutic alliance with clients, fostering self-discovery and growth. She views each individual she works with through a holistic lens, addressing the whole individual and taking into consideration the many factors affecting them.
Rachel specializes in the treatment of eating disorders and has experience working with clients with various concerns, including trauma and identity. She take cultural competency very seriously, and has received specialized training in providing LGBTQ+ affirmative care. Rachel strives to collaborate with additional providers with expertise in various areas to ensure her clients receive the most informed and beneficial support.
Rachel received her dual Master’s degree in Counseling Psychology at Teacher’s College, Columbia University, with a certificate in Sexuality, Women, and Gender studies. She received clinical training in eating disorders and co-occurring concerns at Monte Nido & Affiliates, where she worked as Primary Therapist in Partial Hospitalization Programs, and Intensive Outpatient Programs for adolescents and adults of all genders. Rachel additionally works with The Alliance for Eating Disorders Awareness, a nonprofit organization aimed to offer free referrals, support, resources, and trainings to individuals, families, schools, and programs across the country. She currently facilitates one of the Alliance’s free eating disorder support groups in Manhattan, and offers trainings to professionals and the community to reduce stigma and increase proper treatment for eating disorders.