About Integrative Psychotherapy

The therapist behind the practice

Cheryl Hochberger, LCSW

Cheryl Hochberger, LCSW received a Master’s in Social Work from Columbia University where she was trained in Psychodynamic Psychotherapy. She received Post-Graduate training in Eating Disorders, Compulsions, and Addictions from the William Alanson White Institute. Prior to that Cheryl earned a Bachelor’s of Science degree from New York University’s Stern School of Business. 

Additionally, Cheryl completed training at the renowned Institute for Integrative Nutrition where she was trained as a Wellness Coach. Cheryl has certification from Columbia Teacher’s College and the American Association of Drugless Practitioners. Cheryl also studied food therapy and culinary education at Natural Gourmet Institute for Health and Wellness in New York City.  

Before starting a private psychotherapy practice, Cheryl practiced at Kennedy Counseling and Wellness on the Upper West Side as an eating disorder specialist. Cheryl completed her Clinical Internship at Long Island University working as a psychotherapist to college students. Prior to that she saw private clients with emotional eating issues the holistic wellness coaching practice she began in 2006.

Cheryl’s passion for the healing arts began as a means of healing herself and ultimately extended to healing others.  She works specifically with patients who suffer from Eating Disorders such as Anorexia, Bulimia, Binge Eating Disorder, and Emotional Eating, as well as those with Food Sensitivities.  She addresses eating disorders and emotional eating from a holistic perspective, taking into account the emotional, mental, physical and spiritual root causes of illness, including medical issues that may have contributed to the client’s feeling of losing control. 

Cheryl’s extensive post-graduate training in Psychodynamic Psychotherapy draws upon childhood experiences and trauma that may have resulted in adolescent and adult mental health issues such as anxiety, depression, obsessive-compulsive disorders, or other psychological struggles. Cheryl also uses Mindfulness techniques to help her patients tune in to their hunger and fullness and establish mindful eating practices. She also draws on Cognitive Behavioral techniques to help patient’s shift their self-destructive behavioral patterns and establish healthy practices. In addition she explores existential psychological factors that occasionally leaves patient’s feeling lost in life.

Cheryl believes that the need to eat emotionally is simply the body’s attempt to take care of itself and fill a void; whether it is in the area of career, relationships, finances, spirituality, or life purpose.  She recognizes that emotional eaters are usually extremely food-sensitive and suffer from hidden food allergies and intolerances.  Healing happens when her clients begin to understand where their issues are coming from, no longer blaming themselves or feeling shame or guilt.  In time, they discover a sense of control over their mind and body and a mastery over their lives.  Their love for themselves then radiates out to all that surround them, improving their lives and the lives of those around them dramatically.

Cheryl suffered from an eating disorder for 10 years. In her mid-twenties she was diagnosed with Celiac Disease, an intolerance to gluten, the protein found in wheat, rye, barley.  As a result of her own challenges with nutrition, Cheryl understands the issues her clients are dealing with first-hand and is able to get to the root of the problem. She recognizes that although eating disorders have a psychologically component, most also coexist with gastrointestinal issues and/or other medical problems such diabetes or metabolic disorders.

Cheryl also owns a directory of alternative health practitioners and businesses called The Healing Directory.  In her downtime, she is working on creative endeavors and spending time with loved ones.  She appreciates the arts, film, music, and singing.  She loves nature and enjoys hiking, swimming, and skiing. She practices mind-body exercise such as pilates and meditation. She also enjoys spiritual films and books.  She embraces life and appreciates all the love and beauty that surrounds her.