"I will look for the flowers by the side of the road; I will laugh and love and be strong. I will try to lighten another’s load this day as I fare along". --MARY S. EDGAR Hello! Welcome to BetterHelp! My name is Jen and I am a Licensed Mental Health Counselor (LMHC, #004782) and a Certified Clinical Trauma Professional (CCTP). I have over 18 years of experience providing both mental health and addictions therapy to individuals, couples, families, and groups. My Master’s degree is in Community Mental Health Counseling, Addictions Counseling, and Marriage and Family Therapy (2009), and I hold a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology and Family Studies (2006). I have worked in multiple settings, including shelters, community mental health centers, schools, and private practices. Since becoming a counselor, clients, such as yourself, have come to me for a lot of different things, including depression, anxiety, trauma (particularly in the areas of childhood abuse, domestic violence, religious trauma, and first responder and military trauma), family and social relationships, self-esteem, and substance abuse. My therapeutic approach is mainly from family systems theory, which summed up says “we are not islands”. We are influenced by the world, or the “systems” around us starting from birth (and even before). These systems influence how we see the world and how we make decisions. When things happen to us (good or bad), our system shapes how it affects us and what our reaction turns out to be. I also “borrow” concepts from other theories, such as taking unhealthy beliefs about oneself and changing them into healthier patterns to reduce negative feelings, providing supports, a quick solutions-focused treatment (when it fits the goal), mindfulness and hands-on activities, and emotions regulation techniques. I am also EMDRIA-trained in EMDR, specialized for telehealth, and will provide EMDR treatment to clients found to be appropriate and motivated. I see counseling as a didactic relationship, or in other words, a journey we take together. You are the “expert” of you. Your individualized counseling experience should be focused on what you want and your goals. My job is to help “guide” or “lead” you in achieving those goals, while you continue to actively participate and do your best to reach your goals. I will support you as you do so. It’s like we build a house together. I am responsible for the frame and structure of the house; while you get to fill the rest of it in, make it look the way you want it to, and in the end, turn it into the home you want it to look like. Starting counseling can produce negative feelings, such as worry or fear; but part of the journey we go on is to work on processing those feelings together right from the start. I want to provide a safe environment for you that is warm, respectful, trauma-informed, and meets your individual needs. I look forward to meeting you should I get to do that. Thank you for taking the time to look at my page!

Hi! If you are exploring Better Help, it is likely that you are struggling with something significant in your life. Finding the right person to help you through these challenges is very important. I am committed to creating a supportive, compassionate, non-judgmental environment where you can express your thoughts, feelings, fears and difficulties at a comfortable pace. I believe that empathy and understanding are paramount in building a good working relationship, which in turns helps people feel more hopeful and confident in their ability to make the changes needed to improve their lives. I want to provide some information about me in order to help you decide if my experience and style is the right match for you. I am a clinical social worker with over 30 years of experience. I received an undergraduate degree in Psychology at Connecticut College, graduate degree in Social Work at Adelphi University (NY), and did post-graduate work at the Center of Modern Psychoanalysis (NY). I have been providing therapy in private practice, community mental health centers and agencies, I was Director of Social Work at a large social Services Agency where I managed therapy programs, supervised staff and supervised therapists in training. I also taught for many years in the graduate Departments of Social Work and Mental Health Counseling at Long Island University (NY), where my main teaching focus was on clinical training, supervision, diagnosis and treatment. I have experience in working with adults and senior adults with a wide array of issues including anxiety, stress, depression, sadness, mood disorders, personality disorders, social anxiety, frustration, self-esteem, life transitions, peer relationships, parenting, pre-marital preparation, marital and/or family conflict, divorce/separation adjustment, occupational and/or educational difficulties, caregiving, chronic illness, grief, and adjusting to the aging process. In 2020, I offered a series of webinars on COVID related stress and techniques to help minimize the anxiety. I’m trained in multiple therapy approaches so that I am better able to work in a flexible way and can more effectively meet your needs. I can interact with you in whatever manner you are most comfortable. I find it helpful to participate in video sessions so that we can get to know each other better. But I am also available to you via phone and text if that is more comfortable for you. I generally check messages here a few times a day, Monday-Sunday and respond as quickly as I can, most often within 24 hours. I look forward to hearing from you!

Hello, my name is Dave Tymchyn. I was a returning student in my 30's when I obtained my master’s degree in Social Work at the University at Albany with honors and have obtained and maintained my LCSW for the last 20 years. Over the years I have worked in many areas of human services including working with couples, families and individuals. I have spent a portion of my career working with people with substance use disorders and their families. When working together, I believe in meeting you where you are at, and finding out what you want to accomplish. I believe that mutual respect between myself and you is essential. The goal is to empower you with knowledge and understanding of yourself and how your situations have affected you. There is nothing more fulfilling in this field than to see people’s lives enhanced by overcoming the obstacles that hold them back. I have a history of being devoted to the individuals I care for and I look forward to working with you.

My name it Tomas Gonzalez and I am a licensed bilingual clinical social worker with 35 years of experience. I have worked at both inpatient and outpatient clinical centers with adults, adolescents and children within the elementary, intermediate and high school settings. I have worked with clients who presented with depression, anxiety, ADHD, parenting problems, parents and children of divorce, marital challenges and various adjustment issues. I am empathetic, respectful and sensitive when working with clients. My approach combines cognitive-behavioral, psychodynamic, systems theories, and transpersonal perspectives. During the course of my profession, I've come to appreciate the enormous amount of courage (in clients) to change and better their lives and consequently, the lives of others. Within a supporting relationship and environment, counseling goals will be mutually developed to effectively meet these endeavors.

I am licensed in New York with 9 years of professional work experience. I have experience in helping clients with stress and anxiety. I work with my clients to create an open and safe environment where thoughts and feelings can be shared without fear of judgment. Taking the first step to sign up for therapy can take courage and I am proud of you for getting started!

I am licensed in New York with 31 years of professional work experience. I have experience in helping clients with stress and anxiety, motivation, self esteem, and confidence, & depression. I also have experience working with coping with life changes. I work with my clients to create an open and safe environment where thoughts and feelings can be shared without fear of judgment. Taking the first step to seeking a more fulfilling and happier life takes courage. I am here to support you in that process.

I am licensed in New York with 18 years of professional work experience. I have experience in helping clients with stress and anxiety, trauma and abuse, motivation, self esteem, and confidence, & coping with life changes. I believe that you are the narrator of your story and that your body, mind and soul have the ability to shift, change and heal trauma. Our work together will help you learn how to use your body and mind's energy system to better manage your life. Taking the first step to sign up for therapy does take courage. I am here to guide you towards a direction of clarity and hope as we start this process together.

I am licensed in New York with 3 years of professional work experience. I have experience in helping clients with coping with addictions, relationship issues, parenting issues, & motivation, self esteem, and confidence. I believe that you are the expert of your story and that you have many strengths that will assist you in overcoming things that challenge you. It takes courage to seek out a more fulfilling and happier life and to take the first steps towards a change. I am here to support & empower you in that journey.

I am licensed in New York with 10 years of professional work experience. I have experience in helping clients with stress and anxiety, motivation, self esteem, and confidence, & depression. I also have experience working with coping with life changes. I believe in treating everyone with respect, sensitivity, and compassion. I will tailor our dialog and treatment plan to meet your unique and specific needs. Taking the first step to sign up for therapy can take courage and I am proud of you for getting started!

I am licensed in New York with 8 years of professional work experience. I have experience in helping clients with stress and anxiety, coping with addictions, & anger management. I work with my clients to create an open and safe environment where thoughts and feelings can be shared without fear of judgment. It takes courage to seek out a more fulfilling and happier life and to take the first steps towards a change. I am here to support & empower you in that journey.

I am licensed in New York with over 20 years of professional work experience. I have worked in the community mental health system for the majority of my career and have had the opportunity to work with individuals with a wide range of mental health and substance use disorders. My last position before entering private practice was as the Vice President of Clinical Services for the largest outpatient mental health clinic in my county. I utilize a combination of Person-Centered, Cognitive Behavioral, and Solution-Focused Therapies to assist individuals in addressing challenges occurring in their lives.

Hi, I'm Colleen Washington, a Licensed Mental Health Counselor. I've worked with an array of clients over the years which include focuses in anxiety/depression disorders, eating disorders and substance abuse disorders. I take pride in getting to know my clients and form a calm, comforting space for them to unload. I look forward to meeting you and starting your journey to wellness. I specialize in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy with a person centered approach that allows for my client to share their experiences in a non-judgmental space. My hope is for you to walk away from therapy feeling empowered and validated. I look forward to creating an empathic and relaxed environment to share your life.