Dr. Irada Yunusova has a diverse background shaped by her rich personal and professional experiences. Her journey in psychology began following her immigration to the United States at a young age, an experience that profoundly influenced her understanding and compassion towards individuals from varied backgrounds. This deep appreciation for diverse life stories was a driving force as she pursued her academic endeavors, leading her to Rutgers, the State University of New Jersey. Here, she excelled in her studies, earning a Bachelor's Degree in Psychology and Economics, with a minor in Russian Language. During her undergraduate years, Dr. Yunusova distinguished herself through her involvement in cutting-edge research in both Cognitive and Social Psychology Laboratories and garnered practical experience in clinical settings, including a private practice and a school for children with emotional and behavioral challenges.
Dr. Yunusova's academic excellence continued as she pursued her Masters and Doctorate in Clinical Psychology at Rutgers. Her graduate studies were marked by a comprehensive training regimen in a variety of therapeutic interventions, including psychodynamic psychotherapy, Relational Therapy, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), Emotion Focused Therapy (EFT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), and Accelerated-Experiential Dynamic Psychotherapy (AEDP). Her clinical acumen was honed through diverse and challenging roles, including providing CBT at the Anxiety Disorders Clinic, trauma-focused therapy at the Foster Care Counseling Project, and integrative care for refugees at the International Rescue Committee. Dr. Yunusova further advanced her expertise in trauma treatment during her time at the Manhattan and Bronx Veterans Affairs. Her profound impact in these roles, encompassing everything from chronic pain and sleep disturbance to complex trauma processing, underscores her exceptional skill and dedication. Dr. Yunusova also explored the underlying agent of change in trauma-focused treatments through her dissertation, The Role of Exposure in Accelerated Experiential-Dynamic Psychotherapy: A Case Study. Post-graduate, Dr. Yunusova continued to demonstrate her exceptional clinical abilities at Montefiore Medical Center's Adult Outpatient Psychiatry Department, providing holistic, client-centered care. Dr. Yunusova’s career is a testament to her commitment to excellence in the field of clinical psychology, and her work continues to be a source of growth, healing, and connection for her clients.
Dr. Yunusova is dedicated to creating a warm and secure therapeutic environment because compassion and curiosity are paramount in understanding clients' identities, histories, suffering, and strengths. She upholds the principle of EMDR theory that every individual inherently possesses the capacity to heal. Collaboratively with her clients, Dr. Yunusova focuses on conceptualizing the experiences contributing to their current challenges, including identifying unresolved or 'frozen' memories. This process is integral to formulating a treatment plan that is respectful and supportive of the clients' needs, strengths, values, and objectives. In her practice, Dr. Yunusova specializes in trauma-focused therapy. Initially trained in various cognitive behavioral therapies for Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), such as Trauma-Focused CBT, Prolonged Exposure Therapy, Cognitive Processing Therapy, and Narrative Exposure Therapy, she has developed a deep understanding of trauma's impact at both conscious and unconscious levels. Her therapeutic approach encompasses cultivating a secure attachment relationship through mirroring, attunement, and validation; enhancing awareness and acceptance of physical sensations, thoughts, and emotions; and courageously exploring avoided or unconscious experiences.
Dr. Yunusova’s approach to therapy extends beyond trauma treatment. She offers specialized care for depression, anxiety, OCD, insomnia, chronic pain, and interpersonal issues, drawing upon her extensive training in EMDR, CBT, ACT, DBT, Relational Therapy, and EFT. She employs mindfulness and EFT to increase clients' awareness of their thoughts, emotions, and urges, while DBT and ACT principles help shift clients' relationships with their thoughts and emotions and align their lives with their values. Dr. Yunusova skillfully integrates evidence-based interventions, including behavioral activation for depression, exposure therapy for anxiety and OCD, and CBT for chronic pain and insomnia. For couples and individuals struggling with relationship problems, she offers Emotion-Focused Therapy to address a range of concerns, from emotional connection and intimacy to dealing with life adjustments, parenting challenges, infidelity, trauma, depression, and anxiety. In all aspects of her practice, Dr. Yunusova's goal is to empower clients to heal and align their lives with their values, welcoming their emotions, beliefs, sensations, and insights with an open and curious approach.
Formal Education
Other Specialized Trainings
