Thomas Fronczak LCSW-RI appreciate your confidence and trust in welcoming me to work with you in this therapy process. It is an honor to join you on your life affirming and transformational journey. With 36 years of clinical experience I assure you the quality of care, understanding, empathic responsiveness, respect, confidentiality and authentic human-to-human connection you deserve.
In my Amherst, NY office I provide individual therapy for adults and adolescents (at least 13 years old) around a variety of issues. Please note for adolescents, one or both parents, as appropriate, are required to participate in the initial assessment.
My philosophy in working with others is to work within a respectful and collaborative relationship, with a here-and-now orientation, that acknowledges your strengths and competencies. My belief is that you know yourself better than anyone and it is you who determines your therapy goals. I recognize that change is a process and occurs on a continuum or in stages. Where you are on this continuum will help guide our work supporting a very individualized treatment experience. I approach therapy with a sense of shared expertise - client and therapist each co-creating successful experience and outcome. In other words - you are not alone!
I work within an integrated model of care which is strongly influenced and rooted in Relational-Cultural Theory (RCT), positive psychology, harm reduction, mindfulness meditation, self-compassion and acceptance-based approaches all of which are now considered mainstream approaches to psychotherapy. I am also greatly influenced by the evidence-based teachings of Lifestyle Medicine as they impact emotional well-being.
I specialize in the treatment of relationship issues including infidelity; depression, anxiety and its spectrum disorders; grief and loss issues, including pet loss; lifestyle and its impact on health and wellness (nutrition, exercise, stress management, sleep and social support), sexuality concerns (including but not limited to those impacting individuals who identify as gay, lesbian or bisexual, gay dads and coming out issues), as well as men dealing with compulsive sexual behavior, erectile dysfunction (ED), Internet pornography; and those living with chronic illness, HIV/AIDS related concerns, alcohol and substance use.
As appropriate, treatment may also include training in mindfulness meditation and Mindful Self-Compassion (MSC) in the tradition of Thich Nhat Hahn, Jon Kabat-Zinn PhD, Eckhart Tolle, Kristin Neff PhD and Tara Brach PhD. Mindfulness meditation has been shown to be effective in helping clients regulate mood, alleviate anxiety and panic symptoms, manage stress, as well as reduce pain and its perception. In short, this approach helps to create the space to deepen self-awareness, release judgments, allow for self-compassion and greater self-expression.
I provide assessment, education, and treatment for substance use for both adults and adolescents within a harm reduction model, in a private and confidential setting.
