As a therapist, Anjna works with clients who are feeling lost, overwhelmed, or unsure whether they're living for themselves or just to meet the expectations of others. Their relationships are causing stress or leaving them feeling disconnected, and they're struggling to align where they are now with where they thought they'd be. Anjna uses psychodynamic, Cognitive Behavior Therapy (CBT), and Gestalt modalities and utilize techniques from each to create a treatment plan that is individualized to your needs.

Anjna strives to create a therapy space where you can come exactly as you are, free from judgment. As individuals, we are made up of so many intersecting pieces, and therapy should provide a safe space to explore these different components, whether it be shame, desires, or societal pressures. Anjna recognizes how incredibly brave the coming out process is, even when shared in the confidential space of therapy.

Whether you are navigating identity, relationships, or the complexities of self-acceptance, Anjna is here to support you as you explore your truth with compassion and understanding. Anjna helps her clients identify and analyze negative thought patterns, guides clients in challenging and reframing irrational thoughts, and encourages clients to engage in positive activities to measurably improve mood.

• Credentials: Mental Health Counselor - Limited Permit (MHC-LP)

• Education: MA, CUNY Brooklyn College

• Specialties: Trauma, Anxiety, and Depression

• Modalities Used: Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Person-Centered Therapy, Mindfulness-Based Therapy, Psychodynamic Therapy

As a therapist, Julia works with college students and young adults just entering the workforce. Julia has been successful in helping clients find relief from painful past experiences and overcome barriers towards meeting their goals. In your work together, clients will be able to discover new insights about themselves and get to the root of their challenges. Julia teaches clients systematic approaches to addressing life challenges, introduces relaxation techniques, and helps clients practice new behaviors or responses to difficult situations.

• Credentials: Licensed Mental Health Counselor (LMHC)

• Education: MA, Baruch College

• Specialties: Trauma, Anxiety, Relationships, Transitions, Boundaries

• Modalities Used: Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Person-Centered Therapy, Mindfulness-Based Therapy, Psychodynamic

As a therapist, Angel works with adults in their 20s and 30s who give so much of themselves to others yet find that their relationships lack reciprocity and feelings of shame or guilt interfere with setting healthy boundaries. Many of Angel's clients come to him because they have grown so tired of the mask that they wear day in and day out when they are showing up for others and wonder when others will show up for them. Their negative thoughts have become exhausting and they wonder if they'll ever be able to integrate the side of them that other people see with the one that is most authentic but that they are afraid to show for fear of rejection or shame.

As a therapist, Angel helps clients explore feelings of being marginalized, diminished, or invalidated, and affirms their experiences through a lens of compassion and empathy. Angel helps his clients identify and challenge negative thought patterns by logging their thoughts, emotions, and behaviors, and then encourages his clients to test their beliefs or fears in real-life situations to gather evidence and challenge distorted thinking.

• Credentials: Mental Health Counselor - Limited Permit (MHC-LP)

• Education: MA, Baruch College

• Specialties: Trauma, Anxiety, Relationships, Transitions, Boundaries

• Modalities Used: Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Humanistic Therapy, Psychodynamic Therapy

As a therapist, Maggie works with adults in their 20s and 30s dealing with a history of unresolved pain. With a keen awareness of both individual factors and the impacts of social injustice and intersectional oppression, Maggie supports her clients on their journeys of personal growth towards true healing. Maggie utilizes mindfulness practices, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), somatic therapy, and narrative therapy to help her clients understand and reimagine past experiences, challenge negative thinking, and promote holistic healing within their minds and bodies.

Maggie is passionate about creating a nurturing and welcoming therapeutic space for every client. As a therapist, she recognizes the vital role of lived experience in the healing process, and by prioritizing safety and client autonomy, Maggie partners with clients to explore how systemic, intergenerational, and interpersonal harm can impact mental health and well-being. Her mission is to partner with clients on their healing journey, helping them restore their sense of self, uncover their personal strengths, and cultivate peace in their body. Ultimately, she aims to empower clients to enhance their overall well-being and achieve their goals.

Maggie uses targeted questions to help clients examine their thoughts and beliefs more objectively, then uses that information to teach her clients structured approaches to tackle existing life challenges to make better decisions to reduce their stress and anxiety.

• Credentials: Licensed Master Social Worker (LMSW)

• Education: MSW, Columbia School of Social Work

• Specialties: Trauma, Anxiety, and Depression

• Modalities Used: Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Somatic Therapy, Narrative Therapy

As a therapist, Laina brings over 15 years of counseling experience, specializing in helping clients navigate the challenges of both historical and recent traumas, including sexual violence, as well as major life transitions. Laina's clients are often dealing with varying levels of anxiety, sadness, and disconnection, which can hinder their ability to sustain relationships, feel successful in their endeavors, set boundaries, find joy, or revel in the fullness of a life that integrates their whole self. Laina's approach focuses on helping clients understand and process their experiences, empowering them to regain control over their lives. Laina partners with her clients to teach them about their mental health conditions, CBT principles, and how thoughts influence emotions and behaviors. Using this framework, Laina assists her clients in using the tool of cognitive restructuring, or identifying and reframing irrational or unhelpful thoughts into more balanced, realistic ones.

• Credentials: Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW)

• Education: MSW, University of Albany

• Specialties: Sexual Trauma, Anxiety, and Depression

• Modalities Used: Internal Family Systems (IFS), Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT), Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), Schema Therapy, Compassion-Focused Therapy (CFT), Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT), Polyvagal and Somatic Experiencing

As a therapist, Gabby works with young adults to navigate life transitions, improve their relationship with their body and improve their body confidence, and support them in finding solace and peace of mind. In particular, Gabby uses attachment theory to work with young adults navigating life transitions, improving their relationship with themselves, and decreasing their relationship anxieties. Gabby's clients often come to her with traumatic friendships earlier in life that are impacting the way they perceive themselves and their relationships with romantic partners, colleagues, friends, and family. Gabby helps her clients break down the nuances of their adult relationships and tease out the contributing factors so that they can figure out the role they play in their own lives and decision-making, and begin to enact change in a way that brings them peace, joy, and self-assuredness.

As a therapist, Gabby prides herself on being a non-judgmental, safe space for clients to explore their negative self-perception and where it stems from. Gabby collaborates with her clients to establish realistic and measurable goals, assigns tasks or homework assignments for clients to hone CBT skills between sessions, and role plays with clients to help practice new behaviors.

• Credentials: Licensed Master Social Work (LMSW)

• Education: MA, Columbia University

• Specialties: Trauma, Anxiety, Self-Esteem

• Modalities Used: Somatic Therapy, Mindfulness-Based Therapy, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Psychodynamic, Motivational Interviewing

As a therapist, Allie helps clients overcome negative self-talk, life transitions, relationship issues, and imposter syndrome and achieve an increased understanding of feelings, emotions, relationships, communication, and self-worth. Allie works primarily with adults having difficulty managing the stress of their relationships, career, life transitions, self-esteem, communication, and boundaries. Allie works with her clients to create a safe space, empathetic self-perception, and an inviting environment to help clients achieve their goals and build long-lasting skills.

Allie creates a nonjudgmental and affirming space where her clients can feel seen and validated. This emphasizes a collaborative approach that fosters self-trust and personal empowerment, which is crucial when navigating identity struggles and societal pressures. Allie helps her clients understand their existing beliefs and thinking to identify where there may be distortions or negative self-talk, and then together they address and reframe those internalized negative beliefs, which leads to improving their self-concept by managing the complexities of relationships and communication.

• Credentials: Licensed Mental Health Counselor (LMHC)

• Education: MA, Baruch College

• Specialties: Trauma, Anxiety, Relationships, Transitions, Boundaries

• Modalities Used: Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Person-Centered Therapy, Mindfulness-Based Therapy, Psychodynamic

As a therapist, Marnie's approach to therapy is deeply rooted in a belief that every individual has the potential for personal growth and transformation. She creates a therapeutic environment that is both safe and supportive, providing clients with a space to explore their unique identities and address any cultural conflicts they may be experiencing. Marnie recognizes the significant impact that cultural background can have on an individual's well-being. She is skilled in helping clients understand how their cultural heritage shapes their beliefs, values, and behaviors. By exploring these influences, clients can gain a deeper understanding of themselves and their experiences.

Marnie is committed to assisting clients in navigating issues related to belonging and self-acceptance. She helps clients develop a sense of self-worth, regardless of the challenges they may face. Whether it's dealing with family dynamics, identity conflicts, or the pressures of societal expectations, Marnie's goal is to ensure that clients feel seen, understood, and supported on their journey of self-discovery. By providing a compassionate and non-judgmental space, Marnie empowers clients to embrace their authentic selves and build resilience in the face of external challenges. Her approach to therapy is grounded in the belief that everyone deserves the opportunity to live authentically and reach their full potential. One technique Marnie uses is exposure therapy, which gradually exposes clients to unavoidable situations that cause them stress, paired with response prevention, which helps teach clients to resist the urge to perform compulsions in order to neutralize their obsessions. Together, Marnie and her clients design small tests to challenge clients' negative beliefs in real-life situations in order to practice their deep breathing, progressive muscle relaxation, or mindfulness to reduce anxiety.

• Credentials: Licensed Master Social Work (LMSW)

• Education: MSW, Fordham University

• Specialties: High-Conflict Divorce, Family Systems, Trauma, Anxiety, Relationships, Transitions, Boundaries

• Modalities Used: Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Person-Centered Therapy, Mindfulness-Based Therapy, Psychodynamic

Your therapist will greet you and invite you to sit comfortably.

They'll ask how you're feeling and if there's anything specific you want to discuss.

You'll talk about your concerns, experiences, or goals for therapy.

Your therapist will ask questions if you feel stuck in order to gain deeper insight into your thoughts and feelings.

Depending on the therapy type, you might engage in specific exercises or activities.

Your therapist may offer observations or suggestions based on your discussion.

You might receive tasks or homework to complete between sessions.

The therapist will summarize the session and set the stage for the next meeting.

You'll confirm your next appointment before leaving so that you don’t leave it open-ended.

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) is a practical, goal-oriented form of individual therapy that aims to change negative patterns of thinking and behavior. Here's a basic explanation of how CBT works:

CBT is based on the idea that our thoughts, feelings, and behaviors are interconnected. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy in NYC focuses on identifying and changing the negative or distorted thinking patterns and unhelpful behaviors that contribute to emotional difficulties. 

In CBT sessions, your therapist helps you become aware of inaccurate or negative thinking, allowing you to view challenging situations more clearly and objectively, and respond to them in more effective ways. You'll feel safe in learning how to recognize how your thoughts and behaviors affect your emotions, and vice versa.

The therapist will guide you through exercises to challenge and replace negative thoughts with more balanced, realistic ones. You'll also shift unhealthy patterns, learn and practice new coping skills, and implement those replacement behaviors to deal with various life challenges. CBT often involves homework between sessions, where you apply the techniques you've learned in real-life situations. This practice helps reinforce new thought patterns and behaviors, making them more automatic over time, so that you can focus on living a more fulfilling life.

By addressing both thoughts and behaviors, CBT helps create lasting change, equipping you with tools to manage your mental health long after therapy ends.

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) has proven highly effective for a wide range of mental health issues and populations. It is particularly well-suited for:

• Depression and mood disorders

• Anxiety disorders, including generalized anxiety, panic disorder, and social anxiety

• Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD)

• Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)

• Phobias, panic attacks, and specific fears

• Eating disorders

• Sleep disorders, such as insomnia

• Substance abuse and addiction

• Anger management issues

• Poor social skills

• Low self-esteem

• Stress-related problems

• Chronic pain management

CBT treatments are effective for both adults and children, and can be adapted for various cultural backgrounds and life stages. It's particularly helpful for patients experiencing unhelpful thoughts who prefer a structured, goal-oriented approach to therapy.

CBT can also be beneficial for many other issues not listed here. Even if you don't see your specific concern mentioned, CBT's versatile techniques can often be adapted to address a wide range of psychological challenges. If you're considering therapy, don't hesitate to reach out to us to discuss if CBT might be right for you. Our CBT therapists can help determine the most appropriate treatment based on your individual needs and circumstances.

While Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) is highly effective for many people, it may not be the ideal approach for every person or every situation. Here are some potential instances where CBT might not be the best fit:

CBT focuses primarily on current issues and may not address deep-rooted childhood traumas or complex interpersonal dynamics

• Some individuals find the structured, goal-oriented approach too rigid or impersonal

• It requires active participation and homework, which can be challenging for those lacking motivation or energy

• The goal-focused nature of CBT may not provide enough support for those with chronic or recurring issues or who want to spend a lot of time learning about the psychology behind different disorders

• CBT's focus on individual thought patterns may overlook broader societal or systemic factors affecting mental health (which is why all of our therapists are culturally competent and culturally responsive to these factors)

• Children often lack the self-reflection or insight needed for CBT to practice response prevention, a technique where patients are taught to resist the urge to perform compulsions in order to neutralize their obsessions

• Folks with suspected personality disorders should seek out the right approach for their diagnosis, such as Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) for Borderline Personality Disorder

• Patients seeking group therapy may feel that group CBT primarily focuses on action and does not get into the practicing psychology of their issues

It's important to remember that no therapy is one-size-fits-all. If you're unsure if CBT is right for you, consider reaching out to our mental health professionals for a free consultation. They can assess your specific needs, discuss various therapeutic approaches, and help determine the most suitable treatment plan. All of our therapists offer integrative approaches that combine elements of CBT with other techniques, tailoring the therapy to your individual circumstances.

As virtual cognitive behavioral therapists in NYC serving the entirety of New York state, we can work with you anytime, anywhere, any way that suits you best. You can meet in the mornings after dropping the kids off at school, during your lunch break from a conference room, in the afternoon as you take your daily walk, or in the evening when everything is quiet and you have time to yourself. All you need is a quiet space and an internet connection. We provide the best parts of in person therapy without the hassles. No sweaty commute. No awkward waiting room. No social anxiety. Just expert support, wherever you are.