Paul H. Gevirtzman is a New York State licensed Clinical Social Worker whose psychotherapy practice focuses on individual, couples and family counseling. He maintains offices in Buffalo and Amherst as well as provides home visits for the elderly or for individuals with physical special needs.
With over 20 years of experience as a clinician and a graduate of the State University of New York at Buffalo School of Social Work and Niagara University Graduate School of Education, Paul specializes in working with individuals facing life transition and adjustment difficulties, with people experiencing symptoms of anxiety or depression, with the elderly and their caregivers, with survivors of trauma (both physical, emotional and sexual), with individuals victimized by domestic/intimate partner violence and with members of the gay and lesbian community, especially around issues of self-acceptance and family re-stabilization. He is also a New York State Department of Motor Vehicles alcoholism and substance abuse treatment provider.
Paul is a practical, interactive and solution-focused therapist. He offers a full range of mental health and supportive counseling opportunities as well as more traditional insight-oriented therapy for those struggling with life transition events. His treatment approach is to provide support, direction and feedback to help clients resolve current problems and long standing patterns of behavior which have been identified as not being in their best interests. He incorporates a blend of conventional and alternative approaches, drawing upon a variety of styles and techniques to incorporate what would be most helpful for each client. With sensitivity and compassion, he helps individuals to build upon their strengths and to identify and achieve life goals.
Mr. Gevirtzman is currently the Director of Clinical Services at the Family Justice Center of Erie County. In addition, he is a consultant to the Episcopal Diocese of Western New York and to the Erie County Department of Senior Services, an adjunct faculty member in the School of Social Work at the University at Buffalo and provides executive coaching and staff development training as well as clinical supervision for social workers seeking their NYS licensure. Paul was formerly the Director of the Senior Adult Department and The Naturally Occurring Retirement Community Demonstration Project at Jewish Family Service and prior to that he was the Director of Resident Services at Benedict House, a residence for people living with AIDS.
Paul has presented at national conferences and to general audiences on subjects ranging from: Stress Reduction; Developing Positive Self Esteem; Communication Skills; Intimate Partner Violence within Gay & Lesbian Relationships; Overcoming Depression & Anxiety; Clinical Supervision; Relationships and Sexuality; Cultural Diversity/Sensitivity In The Workplace and Spirituality in Therapy. He has conducted workshops/seminarsfor a variety of community agencies, including the Internal Revenue Service, Catholic Charities, the Center for Hospice and Palliative Care, Church Mission of Help, and the Erie County Department of Mental Health. Paul has presented on topics specifically related to mental health, diagnostics and treatment, working with the elderly and end of life issues for the Brookdale Institute, the National Association of Social Workers, the Community Health Foundation Clinical Advisory Board, the University Of Buffalo School Of Social Work, School of Medicine and Law School, the Network On Aging and the Erie County Department of Senior Services.