You deserve a therapist who actually gets it.

Maybe you’ve spent years wondering why things seem harder for you than they do for everyone else.

You’ve tried to understand yourself. You’ve read the books, listened to the podcasts, and worked hard to make things better. But you’re still feeling overwhelmed, stuck in the same relationship patterns, or blaming yourself for struggles that make sense once someone finally understands your story.

That’s where therapy can help.

And it’s exactly why I do the work I do.

My own experience taught me what many people never hear: It’s ok to not always be ok.

I started my career in a completely different place than where I am now. I studied music at NYU, then went to Hunter College for my MSEd in Special Education and taught special ed for eight years. I loved working with kids, but I kept gravitating toward the students having meltdowns rather than the ones ready for a lesson. That told me something. So I went back to school at Columbia University for my MSW in Clinical Social Work, and I started doing the work I was always meant to do.

Over twenty years later, I've worked with kids, adults, couples, and families in schools, outpatient clinics, residential facilities, and private practice. I've sat across from people navigating some of the hardest moments of their lives, including the aftermath of growing up in dysfunctional families, the exhaustion of masking neurodivergence, and the slow erosion of relationships that no one seems to know how to fix.

Here's what I've learned: people don't need a therapist who nods along silently for fifty minutes. They need someone who can be real with them. Someone who can translate the fluffy therapy jargon into concrete terms that actually make sense in everyday life. Someone who can help them process the hard stuff while also handing them practical skills they can use between sessions.

That's what I do. I combine deep trauma work with evidence-based skill-building so you're not just talking about your problems. You're actually doing something about them.

I live with ADHD myself, which means I don't just understand neurodivergence from a textbook. I get it from the inside. When you tell me about executive functioning struggles, racing thoughts, or the exhaustion of trying to fit into a neurotypical world, I'm not guessing at what that feels like.

I founded Fuzzy Socks Therapy because I wanted to create a space where people feel seen, understood, and equipped to make real changes. Whether you're an adult processing childhood trauma or a couple trying to remember why you fell in love, I'm here to help you figure out what to actually do about it.

I am trained and certified in Discernment Counseling, a specialized approach designed for couples where one partner is uncertain about whether they want to continue the relationship and the other wants to work on it. This structured process helps couples gain clarity and confidence about whether to pursue couples therapy, move toward separation, or take a thoughtful pause.

We may be a great fit if…

• You’re a neurodivergent (or think you might be) adult trying to better understand yourself.

• You’re struggling with overwhelm, self-doubt, or emotional regulation.

• You’re caught in relationship patterns that keep repeating.

• You’re looking for practical support—not just a place to vent.

• You’re ready to make meaningful changes in your life and relationships.

We may not be the best fit if…

• You’re looking for quick fixes.

• You’re not interested in examining patterns or trying new approaches.

• You’re looking for someone who will only validate without challenging you.

Why this work matters to me

I first started therapy when I was just a little one in Kindergarten. I then continued in therapy throughout my adult life, including participating in an intensive outpatient program while I was in college.

Even though I made some improvements over the years, I used to think there was no hope for me. I used to think “something is obviously wrong with me because all these things keep happening…what else could explain it?”

Then I began my training as a therapist and made tremendous, rapid growth in my self-esteem, my ability to manage my emotions in healthy ways, and my relationships.

I almost couldn’t believe it. How is it that I had been in therapy basically since I left the womb and hadn’t made such significant progress until I went to grad school?

And then I realized why: It wasn’t enough to have someone validate my feelings. It wasn’t enough to have a place to vent. I needed to understand the why: Why I reacted with so much anger when the store clerk made me wait for something…Why I kept pushing people out of my life even though I so desperately wanted connection…

And I don’t blame my therapists for this. The way they were trained was just different back then. But now I know how crucial it is for my clients to understand why their brains react the way they do and how they can cope with these big emotions in healthy ways.

View Lianna Purjes on Psychology Today

You don’t have to figure this out alone.

Whether you’re trying to better understand yourself, improve your relationships, or heal from experiences that still affect you today, support is available.

I’d be honored to help you take the next step.