Eastside Marriage and Family Therapy

Despina Mitchell M.S, LMFT graduated from the University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry in 2006. She has been treating patients for over 18 years in the Rochester community. Throughout her years working with individuals, couples, and families, she has had the opportunity to practice in multiple clinic and community based settings before starting her private practice in 2013. Despina is currently enrolled in the Integrative S*x Therapy Institute where she is actively working on her dual certification to be come a Certified S*x and Couples Therapist as well as a AASECT (American Association of S*xuality Educators, Counselors and Therapists) Certified S*x Therapist. Through her many years of working as a relationship therapist, Despina has found that the most common reason people come to therapy is for "communication issues". Communication appears to be the "safe word" to get couples into treatment. She prides herself on helping couples communicate in healthier ways using psycho education as well as exercises performed in and out of session. In working with couples to improve their communication, it is often discovered that below the surface of communication, a deeper struggles exists which involves intimacy. Intimacy requires vulnerability. When couples are struggling with connecting, vulnerability is usually the first thing that goes out the window. Engaging in any type of emotional or physical intimacy is inevitably going to be effected by this disconnect. Despina is hopeful that working together with her patients will help them find relief from some of the discomfort and shame around talking about all of the intimate parts of their relationship in a safe and nonjudgmental environment. The therapeutic process is a vulnerable and sometimes scary endeavor, which can feel complex at times. Through this endeavor it is important for patients to be “met where they are at” before moving forward. She views her patients as the experts in their lives and focuses treatment on helping them recognize what positive change “looks like” for them and identifying how she can work together with them to make that change. Though her specialty is working with families and couples in a marriage or committed relationship, she also enjoys working with individuals. Whether its dealing with depression, improving communication, conflict resolution, anxiety, mood disorders or processing trauma to name a few, she will work together with you to meet your goals in a safe and comfortable environment free of judgment. Despina is a Clinical Fellow of the American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy (AAMFT). She is also a member of the American Association of S*xuality Educators, Counselors and Therapists (AASECT). She is certified in medical family therapy and currently serves as an advisory council member for Bryant & Stratton College OTA program as the interdisciplinary content expert in mental health.