Therapists for college students near New York, NY
I welcome clients from all backgrounds and identities and hold a special commitment to affirming and uplifting the LGBTQIA+ community. Whether you’re exploring your identity, working through anxiety or depression, facing a life transition, or simply looking for more balance, I’ll meet you where you are—with warmth, curiosity, and care. I am dedicated to creating a supportive, collaborative space for adults navigating life’s challenges. I take a person-centered approach, meaning our work is guided by your experiences, needs, and goals. Therapy with me is grounded in empathy, respect, and the belief that meaningful healing happens when you feel truly seen & heard. I incorporate mindfulness and self-care practices into therapy to help you reconnect with yourself, reduce stress, and build resilience in everyday life. I believe self-care is more than a checklist—it's about honoring your needs. Above all, I aim to build a trusting therapeutic relationship where you feel empowered to move forward in your own way, at your own pace. If that sounds like what you’re looking for, I’d be honored to work with you.
We all can struggle with life transitions, among those are entering college and graduating. We also want a thriving life but can struggle with depressive thoughts, anxious thinking, grief or finding a sense of purpose. I aim to work with you to identify what gets in the way of a more fulfilling life and then to work together to figure out ways to better relate to difficult internal thoughts and feelings and external circumstances. I'm a collaborative therapist who knows that you are the expert when it comes ... to you. I want to serve as a guide. I like to have a bit of a sense of humor and encourage with an emphasis on finding your strengths and what matters most to you.
Whether you are struggling with past or recent trauma, anger, anxiety, depression, grief/loss, relationship concerns or marital issues, it is important that you know you do not have to be alone in this journey. You deserve someone who will listen intently, understand fully, and provide an open, supportive, and non-judgmental space to rebuild through. No problem is too great to overcome if you are willing to do the work. Therapy helps you develop a deeper understanding of yourself and your relationships, become free of old patterns, or simply find ways to process pain or memories that have kept you feeling stuck. It is a healing process that allows you to not only start feeling better but gain insight, awareness, and ultimately begin trusting your intuition and experience. Relationships are as capable of hurt and pain as they are for healing. At Clear Direction Psychological Services, you will learn with the support, expertise, knowledge and guidance of your psychologist how to better relate to and understand your experiences, thoughts, feelings, behaviors, relationships, and challenges. You will learn how to regulate the full spectrum of emotions, find balance in your life, and create meaningful, loving and supportive relationships with yourself and others. You will learn how to make healthier and wiser choices and find fulfillment in your day-to-day living. Clear Direction Psychological Services is a small, specialty practice located on Long Island, New York. Dr. Smyth is a dedicated psychologist whose work is much more than "a job." Those who enter are cared for like family; psychotherapy is Dr. Smyth’s passion, craft, and life's work. Dr. Smyth understands no two individuals are the same. She will work with you to understand the root cause of your struggles and address those issues with long-lasting strategies, helping you get closer to the life you have always wanted. Dr. Smyth has the experience to help you achieve your goals, overcome struggles, and learn to live a life in line with your core values. She is an active psychologist whose work is aimed at providing growth, relief, and healing for those that enter her practice. It takes great courage to ask for help, and that is where change begins. You deserve to have a more fulfilling and meaningful life and Dr. Smyth is dedicated to helping you. She looks forward to getting to know you, understanding your unique challenges, and meeting you exactly where you are. Please do not hesitate to reach out with any questions you might have, especially if this is your first glance at therapy. There is no such thing as a bad question and no shame in looking for help.
Please visit my profile to learn more about my services.
Please visit my profile to learn more about my services.
Please visit my profile to learn more about my services.
Your story matters. Let’s explore it together. Life’s challenges—whether in relationships, career, or personal identity—can leave you feeling stuck, disconnected, or unsure of your next steps. My approach is collaborative and holistic, integrating both body & mind to address the full scope of your experience. I draw from somatic therapies and parts work like IFS, resourcing techniques in EMDR and Somatic Experiencing, to provide tools and techniques that go beyond talking, helping you create deeper, lasting change. My approach is collaborative and holistic, integrating body and mind to address the full scope of your experience. Together, we’ll uncover strategies to build resilience, process past traumas, and shift patterns that no longer serve you. Whether it's learning to set boundaries, deepening self-awareness, or healing from the emotional toll of life’s transitions, I’m here to support you in finding clarity and balance. You don’t have to navigate this journey alone. If you’re ready to create a life that feels more aligned, connected, and fulfilling, I can help you. Let’s work together to create lasting change. Reach out today to take the first step.
Please visit my profile to learn more about my services.
Please visit my profile to learn more about my services.
I specialize in working with college-aged students. I understand the unique pressures you face, from academic stress and relationships to social anxieties and figuring out your future path. I especially understand how confusing things can be when navigating independence for the first time, as well as, the onset of a mental health disorder. Therapy with me is a collaborative journey. I offer a warm, relational approach, creating a safe space where you can be heard and supported. Think of me as your partner in accountability – a listening ear when you need to vent, and a gentle nudge when you're ready to push yourself further. The goal is empowerment. I'll help you develop the skills and confidence to tackle challenges on your own, building the strength to become your best self.
Therapy can be like having personal training at a Gym. Just as a personal trainer shows you how to use the various machines and discusses nutrition, a counselor shows you the different ways to get your most important organ (brain) into shape. Ever feel overwhelmed with life and everything you have to deal with daily? The truth is most people feel this way and need to take time to reflect. This is also where a professional, such as myself, can guide you to acquire clarity. As a licensed counselor, I consider it a privilege to help people resolve life issues. I am licensed in New York, New Jersey and South Dakota. For the last 11 years I have been working in outpatient settings helping, people through life's toughest issues. I have specialized more in working with adults who have issues with depression, anxiety and relationships. In my practice, I believe in a holistic approach to healing which includes one's bio, psycho, social and spiritual self. Wherever you may be in your journey, we can and will explore this in order for you to find strength on your journey to find resolution and healing.
My Approach Transitions in our lives can bring up a lot of different emotions. Some of these emotions can be conflicting if the transition “should” be happy. My work focuses on individuals and couples as they navigate through these transitions. There are ways to process it, work through it and allow you to show up authentically for yourself and your relationships. Your emotions are valid and your reactions are safety mechanisms learned through your survival of your experiences. My goal is to help you navigate through these changes, learn about yourself and build a meaningful life.
My clients are often experiencing increased stress, worry, sadness, and a feeling of uneasiness that impacts their daily life. These feelings may be intensified by struggles in personal relationships. I begin therapy in a holistic manner, learning who my clients are as a whole person and working collaboratively with them to determine the most effective course of treatment. I practice through a psychodynamic lens, helping clients to understand how experiences from their past might be informing their present challenges. I offer CBT and DBT techniques to help clients reframe negative thought patterns, sit more comfortably with anxious feelings, and implement improved communication skills to achieve more meaningful, joyful relationships. I integrate creative elements into the therapeutic space, inviting clients to move into into breathwork, journaling, music, and art as a means to foster deepened exploration and insight into the issues at hand. I bring warmth, humor, and deep insight into the therapeutic relationship. I understand the vulnerability therapy entails and believes feeling comfortable and connected to your therapist is integral. I believe in the power of the therapeutic process to help you move through difficult experiences towards greater feelings of connection, self-compassion, and wholeness. On the practical side of things, I am a Licenced Creative Arts Therapist and board-certified music therapist working with young adults in prominent teaching hospitals and in private practice for over 7 years. I graduated with my master’s in music psychotherapy from New York University in 2014 and am currently completing training as an advanced analytical music psychotherapy practitioner.
Hello! I am a bilingual, trauma-informed, LGBTQ-affirming, multicultural, and humanistic therapist. I work with people with diverse identities and life experiences that have been impacted by mood disorders, health issues, discrimination, sexuality, gender, grief/loss, trauma/PTSD, stress, and life changes. I aim to provide a warm, compassionate, and non-judgmental space for you to bring your concerns and together create the life you want to live. I have expertise using a wide range of psychotherapy approaches, from supportive to evidenced-based, in community mental health clinics, primary care settings, and medical centers. These clinical experiences have allowed me to witness and address a multiplicity of concerns. I have extensive experience working with depression and anxiety, identity development, LGBTQ+ issues, racial and ethnic minority stress, interpersonal and relational problems, health concerns (e.g. HIV, chronic pain), life changes, trauma/PTSD, among others. Addressing symptoms, bringing insight, developing coping mechanisms, and creating lifestyle changes are some of the many goals in therapy. Ultimately, I want to empower you to live the life you envisioned. I hope my warm and compassionate approach will assist you in this healing and vulnerable process called therapy. I look forward to working with you!
Please visit my profile to learn more about my services.
Making the first call is sometimes the hardest part of the therapeutic process. I commend you for your strength and courage in seeking help. One of the most important steps of pursuing counseling is finding a passionate, knowledgeable, and trusting therapist that you feel comfortable with. One that will sit with you through your difficult moments and help you to recognize or remind you of your strength. If a mood disorder or anxiety is taking control of your life, I can help you to learn how to manage it. If you are experiencing challenges with your significant other(s), friends, family members I can help you to improve the connection, understanding, and intimacy. Do you just need someone to check in with, someone to vent to in a judgment-free environment, a place to chat about and figure out all of the challenging transitions in your life? I am here for you, holding space for you, rooting for you, encouraging you, holding you accountable if needed, and empowering you. Do you or your partner have concerns about sexual issues including but not limited to; sexual desire/arousal, interests, orientation, impulsivity, compulsivity, erectile functioning, trouble reaching orgasm, painful intercourse, intimacy issues related to disability or chronic condition, or concerns regarding past unwanted sexual experiences? I can help. I am passionate about empowering my clients and couples. There is no greater feeling than seeing the progress they have made! I am incredibly grateful, privileged, and honored that you have considered me as your therapist. Contact me any time via email to receive the quickest response stellab@therapybystella.com.
Please visit my profile to learn more about my services.
College and medical school can be some of the most exciting — and overwhelming — years of your life. I work with college students and medical trainees navigating stress, anxiety, burnout, perfectionism, relationship challenges, identity development, and life transitions. My approach is collaborative, grounded, and practical. I help students build emotional regulation skills, challenge unhelpful thinking patterns, and develop resilience without sacrificing their ambition. Whether you’re managing academic pressure, imposter syndrome, family expectations, or simply feeling stuck, therapy with me is a space where you don’t have to hold it all together. I especially enjoy supporting high-achieving students who feel like they “should” be fine but are quietly struggling. You don’t have to do this alone.
I understand college can be a huge transitional point in life. It is a time where most are gaining agency and control over their lives and that can get tough at times for us all. Let's see if we can work together to give you some tools to feel ready to live that life!