Aram Zelman, Psy.D.

Pronouns: He/Him/His

There is no one-size-fits-all approach to therapy: we build this practice together as we go, establishing trust and moving at your pace. In the therapy room, I am not a blank slate, but a mirror that can help you find your blind spots. I recognize that early life experiences and relationships create patterns that we apply to adult life, and so my work delves into personal history to understand where you are in life today. I believe in the unique complexity and depth of every person, something that goes beyond stereotypes and labels. This is the level at which I try to work: the innermost self that may be unknown or hidden. With an attitude of nonjudgmental curiosity, I hope to be your companion in a journey to find words aching to be spoken, dreams daring to be realized, and neglected parts of the psyche longing for acceptance. Through this journey, you can approach life’s challenges with resilience, self awareness, and inner peace.

I enjoy working with adults from all walks of life and with a wide variety of presenting problems and concerns, including depression, anxiety, grief and mourning, identity issues, trauma, relationship problems, and compulsive behaviors. I welcome and have experience working with LGBTQIA+ and neurodiverse clients, as well as those from alternative lifestyles and subcultures.

I work primarily from a relational and psychodynamic perspective, an approach that is slower than some other methods, but often more transformative and long-lasting. My aim is not only to reduce symptoms, but to collaboratively discover why those symptoms arose in the first place, as well as fostering self-knowledge and growth. In my view, mental health struggles are not just random blips of brain chemistry, but carry messages that connect to our histories, personalities, desires, and fears. I create a safe space to discuss all parts of your life—things that might feel weird, shameful, or taboo, as well as those parts you celebrate and love. I believe in understanding you as a whole personality through engagement in warm, empathic, and thoughtful dialogue.

I also offer psychological assessment services. In this area, I work from a collaborative orientation that puts assessment data in the context of your life, relationships, and the world you live in. I create assessment batteries tailored to your needs and that allow the real person to show through the data.

About me

I grew up in Montana, Oregon, and Johnstown, PA before attending Bard College to study Philosophy. Before I settled into the mental health field, I had a wide variety of jobs and experiences, including wildlife rescuer, bicycle messenger, line cook, credit card fraud analyst, chauffeur, and more. I have completed a doctoral (Psy.D.) program and am currently working toward licensure as a Psychologist. I work under the supervision of a licensed clinician whom I can consult about my work. I have over three years of experience in community mental health and college counseling settings, as well as several years in social work prior to my graduate training. In my free time, I love hiking, backpacking, science fiction, live music, and my two dogs.

Insurances Covered:

• Optum
• Aetna
• Cigna

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