therapy for those who feel
stuck
too much
highly sensitive
like the black sheep
disconnected
Do you ever feel "not enough," despite the persistent burnout and exhaustion that comes from your overachieving nature?
Do you ever feel as though everyone around you is moving forward with their lives, while you remain stuck, lost, and alone?
Do you ever feel as though you're moving through life on autopilot, disconnected and numb to your own experiences?
Research reveals that our brains are hardwired to react to automatic survival impulses rather than engage in a conscious decision-making process. This understanding helps us see human behavior as a series of learned patterns designed to promote survival. As a result, we often find ourselves repeating behaviors based on internalized messages that once served to protect us and now may feel limiting or even debilitating. My wish is to create a safe, nonjudgmental space where we can collaboratively explore these internalized beliefs and examine the impact, they have on the way we navigate the world.
For the "losT"
compassionate care
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I understand the confusion and isolation that often accompany the journey towards a more authentic and aligned way of living. For this reason, I am deeply committed to co-creating spaces for those, who have taken "the road less traveled" , and now find themselves feeling lost and disconnected from the world around them, ensuring that no one navigates this journey alone.
As complex, multi-dimensional beings, it is often difficult to find spaces where every aspect of our identity is truly seen, understood, and embraced. In our quest for belonging, we may have internalized narratives that encourage us to disconnect from or conceal certain parts of ourselves, leaving us feeling small, isolated, or even burdened by shame. I believe the healing power of therapy unfolds when individuals are offered a safe and compassionate space to reconnect with every layer of their being—especially those parts that hold the belief that they are "too much" for the world to accept. Through this process of self-reconnection, we begin to unravel the ways in which systemic power dynamics have shape our identities, influencing our sense of belonging and our place within the world.
not all those who wander are lost
-J.R.R.Tolkien
About Alyssa
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I am a Licensed Clinical Social Worker based in New York City. I hold a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology and Criminal Justice from the University of Michigan, as well as a Master of Social Work from New York University. Additionally, I have a specialization in Trauma Studies from the Institute of Contemporary Psychotherapy and am certified as a Trauma-Informed Yoga Teacher through the School of Yoga Institute.
My journey into this field began at an early age, shaped by my own experiences with emotional pain and suffering. Throughout my healing process, I encountered a variety of techniques and approaches designed to foster growth, yet I often found myself feeling frustrated and stagnant. I realized that, too often, I was merely passing time in sessions, speaking “at someone” rather than engaging in the collaborative, meaningful space I longed for. These reflections now guide the way I hold space for others and have deepened my passion for offering the transformative healing experience I have been fortunate to receive.
Through the wisdom of my mentors—and those who have come before them—I have learned (and continue to learn) the delicate dance of sitting with our emotions and the active practice of releasing the stored emotions that keep us stuck. I am deeply committed to providing a space for others who are seeking the same sense of liberation and connection.
Throughout my professional career, I have been dedicated to addressing injustice and promoting empowerment among vulnerable and marginalized populations. I am deeply committed to exploring the ways in which early attachment, childhood experiences, and socioeconomic factors shape identity, influence the development of the self, and impact one's life trajectory.
SHE/HER/HERS
Finding the right therapist can be compared to the process of dating— a journey of discovery that often requires patience, introspection, and exploration. I encourage an open, ongoing dialogue throughout this process to ensure that our process together remains aligned with each individual's unique needs and aspirations. Every client brings a distinct blend of life experiences, circumstances, and personalities, and I am committed to tailoring my approach to honor those specific needs.
Rather than adhering to a rigid, one-size-fits-all methodology, my aim is to offer trauma-informed care that draws from a diverse array of therapeutic modalities, fostering mind-body awareness and supporting healing and growth through a holistic perspective.
An individualized approach
Clients often describe my clinical style as warm, humorous, and thought-provoking. I believe that therapy thrives within a safe, compassionate space where both client and clinician can engage in a genuine, authentic connection—one that encourages self-exploration and personal growth.
Offerings
Individual Psychotherapy
My therapeutic approach emphasizes the importance of creating a nonjudgmental space where authentic collaboration between client and therapist can thrive. This environment fosters exploration of the client’s true self, free from judgment or shame. I embrace the duality of life, inviting clients to view their experiences along a spectrum, while integrating a holistic mind-body-soul perspective.
Topics I hold space around include (and are not limited to):
Existentialism, Identity, racial & gender justice anti-violence, sexuality (LGBQ, Trans, GNC, Non-Binary, consensual non-monogamy, sex positivity), dissociation, acute and chronic trauma exposure, and embodied practices to facilitate personal healing.
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Consulting Services
Additional training, specialty/focus around trauma informed approaches to promote education and awareness regarding the Commerical Sexual Exploitation of Children (CSEC) and promoting healing/justice for adolescents who have experienced exposure to the traumas of the criminal justice system. Please feel free to reach out and we can set up a 20 minute consultation to discuss what you are hoping for and whether I am able to deliver on those requests.
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Certifications
Formal Trainings &
School of Yoga Institute
Trauma Informed Yoga Teacher Training
Internal Family Systems Institute
Internal Family Systems (IFS)
Institute for Contemporary Psychotherapy
Eye Movement Desensitization & Reprocessing (EMDR)
Institute for Contemporary Psychotherapy
Integrated Trauma Studies
Columbia University
Dialectical Behavioral Therapy
NYU
Interpersonal Therapy
NYU
Object Relations Therapy
State of New York
Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW)
Clinical Practice; NYU
Master of Social Work (MSW)
Psychology and Criminal Justice; University of Michigan
Bachelor of Arts (BA)
The fee for individual psychotherapy is $225 for a 50 minute session.
Please note that I do offer limited sliding scale appointments, as my practice is committed to providing equitable and accessible mental health services and session rates.
The use of a sliding scale embodies the delicate balance between sacrifice and hardship in accessing financial support. This approach reflects the belief that financial resources, particularly income, should not be the sole barrier to an individual's ability to receive essential services. By implementing a sliding scale for session fees, my practice reaffirms its commitment to serving individuals and communities who might otherwise be excluded from such support. I encourage an open and ongoing dialogue to ensure that we can agree on a fee that sustains both the work we do together and your ability to engage with it meaningfully.
Please note, that session rates may increase yearly with standard federal cost of living adjustment rates (COLA). Venmo, Paypal, Zelle, checks and cash are all acceptable forms of payment. If we schedule regular sessions, the fee we agree upon holds that time. If for any reason you are unable to make your session please let me know by emailing, calling, or texting, otherwise you will be subject to a cancellation fee.
Payment options
I offer a free 20 minute phone consultation to further discuss whether or I may be the right fit for you. During this time, you can ask any questions you have about my practice or the process of starting therapy. Please reach out if you are interested in scheduling a consultation call.
Get in touch
Mentaya is perfect for you if you:
• Have out-of-network benefits
• Feel overwhelmed by superbills and insurance
• Submitted superbills but failed to get reimbursement
• Simply want to skip the hassle of paperwork
Here's how it works:
1. Sign up for Mentaya:
2. Our practice will enter your sessions into the platform.
3. Mentaya submits the claim and handles any insurance follow-up.
4. You get reimbursed by insurance!
I am primarily an out-of-network provider.
I recommend that you ask your insurance company the following questions before starting therapy:
• Do I have out-of-network outpatient mental health benefits?
• Do my out-of-network outpatient mental health benefits cover me seeing a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) for psychotherapy?
• How much is my deductible and has it been met?
• How many sessions per year will be covered?
• What is the coverage amount per therapy session?
In addition, I have partnered with Mentaya, a service that streamlines getting reimbursed for your therapy sessions through out-of-network benefits.
Mentaya charges a 5% fee per claim, which includes handling any paperwork required, dealing with denials, and calling insurance companies. It's risk-free: They guarantee claims are successfully submitted, or a full refund of their fees.
Insurance
- Aware
by Dr. Dan Siegel - Healing the Fragmented Selves of Trauma Survivors
by Janina Fisher - The Body Keeps Score
By Bessel van der Kolk M.D. - Working with the Neurobiological Legacy of Early Trauma
By Janina Fisher
Recommended Reading
life's not about waiting for the storm to pass
it's about learning to dance in the rain
-vivian greene
