Find a Top Psychologist Near Me in Staten Island, NY – Book an Appointment Instantly

Every person has a story to tell. And every person’s story is unique. Sometimes sharing your story can feel overwhelming, intimidating and frightening. As your therapist, Margaret Castaldo offers a warm, welcoming space in which you can freely and safely reveal your present as well as your past—and craft your continuing story for the future.
Together, she will help you explore your individual narrative, unique experiences, challenges, relationships, thoughts, feelings and behaviors, to unpack issues that cause you difficulty and distress. Whether you’re grappling with the challenge of finding meaning and purpose, work-life issues, parenting, stress, anxiety or relationships, she endeavors to provide a supportive, authentic environment for you to explore your deeper self and opportunities for growth and healing.
Her approach is predominately drawn from psychodynamic theory in which insight is found through extended exploration, a process that slowly unravels longstanding patterns, thoughts, feelings and behaviors that may impede self- growth and discovery. Additionally, she is inspired by and draws understanding from her former work in the corporate creative space, the writing arts, volunteer teaching, as well as parenting.
She completed a Master’s degree in Mental Health Counseling and Wellness at New York University. She also hold a Master’s degree in English and American Literature from New York University and a B.A. with honors in Political Science and English from the University of California, Irvine.
* Please note that we will try our best to accommodate any therapist requests, in the event that we are unable to do so please know that all staff have extensive clinical training.

I believe in creating and fostering a safe space for collaborative exploration and growth. A space that is completely free of expectations or judgment. I apply a person-centered approach – warm and empathetic – while incorporating Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and holistic therapeutic techniques in order to help clients gain insight, relief, and self-empowerment. Through building our therapeutic alliance, we will work together to focus on and positively affect your current wellbeing by increasing both knowledge and application of skills which will assist in coping and resilience.

I hold a M.A. in Clinical Counseling from The Chicago School of Professional Psychology. I have extensive experience in working with clients who have experienced trauma: childhood abuse, domestic violence, sexual assault as well as specialize in working with LGBTQ youth and adults.

Anthony is a compassionate mental health counselor with over three decades of experience, dedicated to creating a safe and supportive environment for individuals, couples, and families. Specializing in addressing Sex and Porn Addiction, Infidelity, Anxiety, and Depression, Anthony helps clients explore and address their mental health concerns effectively.

With expertise in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Rational Emotive Behavior Therapy (REBT), Choice Theory-Reality Therapy, and Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT), Anthony offers personalized therapeutic approaches tailored to each client's needs.

Currently pursuing a PhD in Clinical Sexology, Anthony is committed to understanding the socio-cultural influences on mental health and providing culturally sensitive interventions. Anthony obtained his Master’s from NYU, is a licensed mental health counselor and clinical supervisor, a member of the American Psychological Association, and the International Center for Excellence in Emotionally Focused Therapy. Whether you're navigating life transitions or seeking to enhance your well-being, Anthony is here to support you on your journey to healing and personal growth.

I offer therapy that is empathic, respectful, honest, and collaborative. My approach is evidence-based, drawing on methods that are proven to be effective and reliable, while always honoring you as an individual.

My practice takes into account the pervasive nature of trauma, and how it can interfere with your ability to cope with life’s challenges. We will work to carefully uncover the reasons behind any behaviors you wish to change, as well as how those behaviors may have served you throughout your life. Together, we will pay attention to your prior experiences, including family dynamics, while working on practical, realistic approaches to dealing with today.

I have found that people are more resilient than they think. I work to help you harness your strengths, find balance, and regain hope.

 Dana Tuqan is a licensed psychotherapist in private practice and a professional trainer. She is a National Certified Counselor (NCC) and holds a Master’s degree in Mental Health Counseling from New York University.  

Dana's approach is rooted in psychodynamic theory, additionally tapping into motivational interviewing, CBT, and mindfulness-based theory. Dana offers individual and couples counseling, and has supported clients working towards healing and recovery from trauma/PTSD, anxiety, depression, grief and loss, substance use and addiction, life transitions, schizophrenia, and bipolar disorder. Additionally, she has extensive experience in the areas of dual diagnosis (addiction and mental illness), and multicultural issues, including immigration, assimilation, and displacement.

Dana has also worked extensively within community mental health. She provided clinical consultation and training to a large human services agency in areas including high-risk clients, dual diagnosis, trauma-informed care, and motivational interviewing. She provided supervision and individual / group psychotherapy to clients with severe and persistent mental illness, frequently with co-occurring substance use and incarceration histories.

Earlier in her career, Dana worked as an HR consultant and trainer. She specialized in performance management, enabling individuals and businesses to maximize their potential. 

Dana speaks English and Arabic, and has a strong working knowledge of Spanish. Dana maintains a commitment to social justice issues in all aspects of her work.

* Please note that we will try our best to accommodate any therapist requests, in the event that we are unable to do so please know that all staff have extensive clinical training.

I provide a neutral, non-judgmental zone to explore and find positive coping strategies that can improve daily living. I believe that positive coping strategies will empower us to live our best lives. I will aid you in finding and exploring factors in your past and present that have hindered you from recognizing your internal strength, thereby empowering you to move forward and become mentally healthier. I hold a strong belief that talk therapy allows for a collaborative effort to utilize grounded theories as the tools needed to help you heal, change, accept and live your best life.

Traumas are weaved into the body like our DNA sequences. To protect ourselves at times (especially as children), we block out the scary things. The body remembers and can be triggered, however. Accepting and understanding your triggers can be integral in living your best life. I believe that we all need a safe space to explore our concerns with daily living and its impediments - you will find it here. Additionally, we will explore how culture (both familial and ethnic), influence our choices.

To book an appointment with Shurla Perry, LMHC, please schedule under Kelley Hershman, MA, LMHC, QMHP or Anthony Freire, MA, LMHC, NCC, CCMHC's calendar.

*Please note that we will try our best to accommodate any therapist requests, in the event that we are unable to do so please know that all staff have extensive clinical training.

As a Mental Health Counselor, I believe in supporting and empowering clients to focus on their many strengths and become the best version of themselves. My goal as a counselor is to cultivate a warm and safe environment that offers a space for growth and positive change. I utilize an integrative approach, using various techniques that encourage clients to discuss the many emotions and challenges they face in life.

I received a Bachelors's degree in Psychology and completed studies in Human Development at the University of Alabama. I went on to complete my Master's degree at CUNY Hunter College in Mental Health Counseling. My academic background has prepared me to work in a diverse population and with various concerns such as depression, anxiety grief, trauma, and other emotional issues. I believe that profound change lies within the client and I am here to listen, reflect, challenge and assist you through the process. I will encourage you to use your time in therapy to express yourself openly and freely, without judgment. In order to meet your current mental health needs, we will develop a treatment plan together that feels right for you. By developing an honest and trusting therapeutic relationship you will have the space to work on your current struggles and get to where you want to be.  I look forward to being a part of your journey!

Mental health is consistently changing. My philosophy is to not stigmatize mental illness, but to promote mental wellness. My approach focuses on creating a safe space where clients feel heard and understood. Mental health is important, and no one should feel discouraged to seek the help they need. Trauma or disarrangement in life affects people from all cultural backgrounds and it is important to find a person to guide you through these hardships without judgment to your choices. The goal is to continue the meaningful life that you want.

As a psychotherapist, my ultimate goal is to provide a safe and supportive environment for my clients to grow as a person and develop skills that will improve their overall quality of life. Therapy isn’t a one size fits all practice. Therefore, I believe in building good rapport with my clients to properly assess their needs in order to determine an individualized treatment plan.

I received my graduate degree, a Master's of Science in Education and Mental Health Counseling from Manhattan College. During my therapeutic internship, I worked at the College of Mount Saint Vincent’s Counseling Center, primarily working in the TRIO program. This program works closely with first-generation college students in order to provide additional academic, emotional and social support. I had the opportunity to engage a population whose cultures and backgrounds often stigmatize mental health. Therefore, it was a great passion of mine to inform the Counseling Center about the different cultural competency techniques and interventions I used that improved the effectiveness of counseling for this special client population.

My therapeutic work experience includes providing individual and group sessions to clients of varying backgrounds that are dealing with anxiety, depression, suicidal ideation, bi-polar disorder, mood disorders, substance abuse, loss & grief, self-esteem, family dynamic problems and stressors triggered by life changes and transitions. While my training is primarily in Psychodynamic Therapy, I bring a highly Strength-Based Intervention and Solution-Focused therapeutic modality to my work, along with some Cognitive Behavioral and Multicultural Therapy.

I’m dedicated to helping my clients on their journey to unpack and heal past wounds, improve their day-to-day functioning and create therapeutic goals to cultivate a better future. I look forward to working with you!

Common struggles like anxiety, low self-esteem, and bad habits inhibit our personal growth and development. I am passionate about addressing those struggles and guiding individuals to function at their optimal abilities. I utilize my warm therapeutic approach to establish an alliance full of empathy and free of judgment. By promoting a safe space to openly explore challenges, we can create a natural, lasting change.

All life paths vary, as do treatment plans. Based on my professional assessment and your goals, I create an individualized approach suited for each client. My fundamental approach is person centered therapy, which highlights the inbuilt proclivity toward growth and fulfillment of each individual. In addition, I utilize techniques from various other approaches including psychodynamic psychotherapy, and mind-body approaches. I work with people who are seeking help with familial or relational conflicts, trauma, work/life balance, and anxiety. I was born in Ukraine, speak Russian, and incorporate multicultural awareness to my therapeutic work.

I hold a Master’s degree in Mental Health Counseling from Queens College, and a Bachelor’s of Arts in Psychology from Stony Brook University. I have experience working at various private practice locations and provided therapy to individuals who were incarcerated at the Riverhead Correctional Facility.  I am trained in hypnotherapy and emotional intelligence work. I also balance my clinical work with creative outlets such as jewelry making and painting, and value the natural therapeutic elements offered through nature immersion and travel. 

It is oftentimes difficult to see past our problems and easier to assign blame to ourselves. I recognize that there are many factors that can inhibit us from expressing our best selves; our immediate environments, childhood history, learned behaviors, etc., all have an imprint on our current state of being. I can help you identify what outlook you want, and assist you in becoming that person through humanistic and evidence-based work. 

To book an appointment with Vlada Levit, LMHC, please schedule under Anthony Freire, MA, LMHC, NCC, CCMHC's calendar.

* Please note that we will try our best to accommodate any therapist requests, in the event that we are unable to do so please know that all staff have extensive clinical training.

Everyone experiences, overwhelming stress, disturbing emotions and behaviors and of course conflict in their relationships. Therapy provides a safe space to address these concerns and look for ways to explore the nature and origin of these issues and find a way to help you understand and make changes.

Compassionate, caring, sensitive, inquisitive and empathetic listening is key to helping you find the answers to navigate through this path. Shealagh believes that every client has the ability and knowledge to find their own answers and existing strengths, that will allow them to improve how they feel about themselves, how they feel in their relationships as well in their wider social life and at work.

She received undergraduate and graduate degrees in clinical and neuropsychology from Oxford University in the UK and further training in therapy and counselling in New York at Columbia and Long Island University. Currently she is a Senior Psychotherapist and Clinical Consultant at the Soho Center.

She has extensive experience in helping her clients of all ages work through issues of anxiety, depression and relationship issues. Having worked for many years with children and families in crisis, she would also be available to work with couples and families experiencing difficulties in their relationships. She can help with parenting issues and work with pregnant or adoptive families, new parents and families struggling with children with learning disabilities and mental health issues.

She has also worked extensively in hospital and medical settings and would be available to do grief and bereavement work for anyone dealing with current illness themselves or in their family, as well as anyone struggling with the traumatic experiences of loss and death.

The therapeutic rapport built by careful and empathetic listening will allow you to build a relationship with your therapist and create a safe place that will allow for change in areas that are holding you back and acceptance of who you are. Her orientation is psychodynamic, and she will also use elements from CBT, Person- Centered and family system approaches.

Ultimately, she is a positive and optimistic person, who believes with the right support and the willingness to put in the hard work a more balanced and satisfying life can be achieved and she would like to help you find your place of acceptance- who you are- and comfort, success and positivity at whatever stage in life. At the Soho Center there is a whole team behind each therapist, so you are getting the benefit of a whole team supporting the person you are working with on your journey.

There are things in our lives that we have control over and other things in our lives that we do not control. Therapy offers the opportunity for us to change and find ways to cope with the things we cannot control. My approach in therapy is to do my best to understand who you are as an individual and help you recognize that you are the expert of your life. I will provide insight and structure to your feelings and experiences to help identify how you want to grow and we can collaboratively move toward that goal. My therapeutic process starts with a person-centered approach to build comfort and openness and integrates techniques and theories from psychodynamic, cognitive-behavioral, and other approaches. 

I have training and experience with working with individuals from various backgrounds and cultures and understand the importance of not having your experiences feel dismissed. Whether your presenting concern is related to depression, anxiety, phobias, body image, relationship issues, trauma, or everyday stressors, we can work to identify the source of those feelings and create a plan for growth.

I completed my master’s degree in Mental Health Counseling at The City College of New York. I also have a master’s degree in Psychology in Education from Teachers College, Columbia University and a BS in Applied Psychology from New York University. I have worked with the Administration for Children’s Services and helped children, adolescents, and adults from many backgrounds navigate crisis situations, abuse, and family issues. I have also worked at a college counseling center, in individual and group formats, to help people navigate various life adjustments, balancing expectations, and struggles with identity.

Ellenie Torres, LSW, is an experienced social worker at the Teaneck, New Jersey office. She also sees patients virtually. Ellenie attended Caldwell University for her undergraduate education. There, she earned a bachelor's degree in Applied Language Helping Professions and a bachelor’s degree in Psychology. Ellenie received her master’s in Social Work from Nyack College in New York City. 

Ellenie is certified in the Nurturing Parenting Program in New Jersey and in the ASIST Suicide Prevention Program. She has worked with young parents and families in the past as a case manager, doing home visits, supervised visitation, parenting classes, and connecting them to community resources.

She uses evidence-based psychotherapy approaches while working with adults, couples, and children of all ages. She also works from a strengths-based approach to help empower her clients to accomplish their goals. Ellenie also offers a faith-based approach when the client would like it incorporated into the sessions.

Ms. Torres is bilingual in Spanish and in English.

Georgia Lavey, LCSW, is an experienced psychotherapist seeing patients at Hudson River Care and Counseling. She offers mental health services via teletherapy. Georgia holds a Bachelor's Degree in Psychology from the University of Colorado at Boulder and a Master's Degree in Clinical Social Work from Rutgers University in New Jersey. Georgia utilizes evidence-based interventions such as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Rational Emotive Behavioral Therapy, Gestalt Therapy, Existential Therapy, and Client-Centered Therapy.

Her practice is informed by her work over the last ten years with individuals experiencing abuse and neglect, depression, anxiety, PTSD, ADHD, ODD, bipolar disorder, and challenges faced by the LGBTQ community. In addition to her work with HRCC, Georgia is a Mental Health Consultant for the New Jersey Chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics. Additionally, she serves as the program Data Analyst for Hudson County Court Appointed Special Advocates in Jersey City.

Jacqueline Yashayev, MA, is a mental health counselor serving patients at Hudson River Care and Counseling. Jacqueline works virtually and in the Hoboken office. Jacqueline provides counseling services virtually and in the Hoboken office. 

Jacqueline obtained her Bachelor of Arts in psychology from Pace University in New York, New York. Shortly after graduating, she decided to further her education, earning a master's degree in clinical mental health counseling from Montclair State University in Montclair, New Jersey.

Jacqueline specializes in individual therapy with various ages and genders. She has experience working with individuals with anxiety, depression, trauma, OCD, stress management, DID, and stressors from transitional periods. Jacqueline takes a holistic and wellness approach and uses an integrative model, specifically working through the psychodynamic theory and CB.

Jacqueline is bilingual in English and Russian, enabling her to treat a diverse population of patients. She looks forward to working with you at Hudson River Care and Counseling.

Soo Kim is a Licensed Associate Marriage & Family Therapist at Hudson River Care and Counseling (HRCC). Soo counsels virtually and in person in the Teaneck office.

Soo is deeply passionate about equipping couples and families with clinical counseling skills. Seeing the vast need for counseling for couples and families, especially after the pandemic, Soo is called to meet people where they are and equip them with the perspective and skills to grow in their lives.

Soo is also certified in Prepare/Enrich, a pre-marriage and marriage enrichment counseling program. As a husband himself, Soo knows the importance of establishing a strong base of communication for any marriage. By conducting premarital counseling, Soo recognizes that couples greatly benefit from discussing topics of family history, sex, finances, relationships, and other critical areas that they need to share so that they can know how the other perceives these matters.

In addition, he enjoys working with individuals of all ages, supporting them through various mental health issues. He has counseled clients who have worked through depression, anxiety, suicidal ideation, anger issues, and other issues within mental health. He takes an individual approach to each client and will do his best to work with them in their respective journeys.

Soo recognizes that there may be a need for more access to clinical counseling for various people, and he hopes to make his passion and experience available to people from both religious and non-religious backgrounds.

Jinwon Yeo, LPC, is a clinical mental health counselor at Hudson River Care and Counseling. Jinwon offers services for patients remotely and in Teaneck, New Jersey.

Jinwon received a Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology and a Master’s Degree in Counseling Psychology, from Yonsei University located in Seoul, South Korea. She also earned a Master Degree in Professional Counseling from Liberty University, located in Virginia.

After she achieved her NJ license, LAC (Licensed Associate Counselor), Jinwon expanded her practice through various counseling services, including individual counseling, couple and family therapy, group counseling, psycho-education, bibliotherapy, and anger management program at the counseling centers throughout Bergen County.

She was trained to use the CBT (cognitive behavior therapy), DBT (dialectical behavior therapy), and TBCT (trial-based cognitive therapy), positive psychology, and motivational Interviewing. Areas of her work include depression, anxiety, traumatic experiences, anger control issues, conflict and stress on relationships and academic performance, divorce, domestic violence, parenting, loss, religion, perfectionism, fear of failure/rejection, excessive worry, and so on. She specialized in family issues, mental health challenges in immigrants, and Christian counseling.

Jinwon hopes people can accept themselves as they are. She helps people be empowered to face and overcome the challenges in their lives with confidence, change their lives, and cultivate a more meaningful life through effective and collaborative counseling.

Ms. Won is blingual in both English and Korean. 

I am a dedicated, curious and compassionate individual who was drawn to the profession of social work to help serve and make a difference in my community. With 10 years of experience in helping individuals navigate the daily stressors and challenges of life, I am forever grateful for the opportunity and privilege to help others. I hold a Master’s Degree in Social Work from Columbia University and obtained my clinical license in both New Jersey and New York state. 

My previous experience includes working at both the clinical and administrative level. My employment has crossed the non-profit sector, medical, in-home services, addictions treatment, forensics, as well as outpatient psychiatry. With additional certification, I am fortunate to supervise social workers in their journey of becoming independent practitioners. 

I have had the pleasure of working with a variety of beautiful humans from different walks of life with a range of mental health conditions. My approach includes a mix of evidenced based modalities to meet clients where they are at, collaborate together, empower them to learn more about themselves, develop healthier coping strategies, and build connections with more purpose in their daily lives.

I look forward to working together and thank you so much for letting me be a part of it.