Book a therapist or psychiatrist in Valley Stream, NY covered by Aetna

Does your child or adolescent’s behavior leave you wondering, “What is going on?”Are they having meltdowns, withdrawing, struggling at school, worrying, or feeling sad? Children and adolescents often communicate their feelings through behavior long before they have the words to explain what they are experiencing.I work with children, adolescents, and families navigating challenges such as adoption, divorce, co-parenting, blended-family transitions, grief and loss, school-related worries, family conflict, and the growing push for independence. I help children and caregivers better understand what may be underneath the behavior while strengthening connection, communication, and emotional regulation. I am a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) and Registered Play Therapist-Supervisor (RPT-S). I received my Doctorate in Clinical Social Work (DSW) and Master’s in Social Work (MSW) from New York University, and my Bachelor’s of Science in Social Work (BSW) from Cornell University. With more than two decades of clinical experience across inpatient, outpatient, and residential settings.

Do you feel like your life lacks joy, meaning and connection? Do you feel the overwhelming weight of your responsibilities? Are you tired of "just getting by"? Are you ready to have more positive emotional connections to your experiences? It's time to raise the bar of living from "surviving" to "enjoying"! Together we will go on a journey to explore a deeper way of living that allows you to feel joy in a world full of stress. I will teach you how to strongly connect to your life (self, relationships, job, hobbies, etc.) in a fulfilling way. I will help you build practical skills to feel more organized, focused, and in control of your daily life by improving efficiency, managing time and tasks, and reducing the overwhelm that often interferes with well-being.

Reaching out for help can be challenging and often feels overwhelming. I understand first hand just how dark the path to recovery can seem. But please know, you are not alone! I specialize in working with young adults and adults ages 18+ who suffer from mild-moderate anxiety, depression, intrusive thoughts, addiction, and life transitions. I utilize a collaborative and individualized approach so my client's always feel heard and understood. No two individuals are ever treated the same!

Are you... A young adult struggling in the attempt to to navigate life transitions, school, the workforce, family life or other issues?
Or a couple having trouble finding the right words to communicate and find expression in your relationship?
You can thrive.

Hi! I’m Hudi Kowalsky, a Licensed Mental Health Counselor (LMHC) with a passion to help teens and young adults find meaning and purpose in their lives.

How my practice is different:

Goal Focused Therapy. I believe in short, goal-focused therapy. That’s why, we set goals and together we hit the ground running. If you put in the work, you’ll see results within 12 weeks. I know that’s a bold statement, but my past clients can attest to that.

Client Feedback. I check in periodically on your thoughts about the process. I want to hear from you, what’s working? What isn’t? Is there anything that you’d like to see different? And then I tweak it accordingly.

I know it can be hard to find the right therapist. Maybe you think it’s only for people with “serious” issues. Maybe you’ve been to a few therapists but you didn’t see change and you’re wondering what another therapist can offer you. Maybe you’re afraid of what people will think of you if you go to therapy. Maybe you’re not sure therapy is worth the investment.

I understand. That’s why I’m here to answer any questions you may have prior to booking an intake session.

What if improving your relationships isn’t starting together, but starting with you? As a Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT), I work with individuals who are curious about their relationship patterns and ready to create meaningful change from the inside out. You may feel stuck in recurring dynamics, find yourself questioning how your family background shapes your relationships, or want to communicate more effectively. Together, we create a space to gain clarity, better understand what’s driving these patterns, and begin making intentional shifts toward healthier, more balanced relationships.

Hi, I’m Yitzchok Wagshul. One day, my young grandson asked me what kind of doctor I am. I’m a clinical psychologist, so I replied, “I’m the kind of doctor who helps sad people feel happy.” He looked at me and said, “Zaidy,” (that’s “Grandpa” in Yiddish) "that’s not being a doctor, that’s just being nice!” That’s a cute story, but I want to tell you something: the better part of therapy is “being nice.” I know a lot of psychology. But if I didn’t respect each person I work with, if I didn’t view them with complete acceptance and unconditional positive regard, all of that would be worthless, because no one would listen to me.

I aim to create a safe, non-judgmental space for self-exploration, discovery, and healing. By utilizing unconditional positive acceptance, my goal is to help clients add to their social and emotional knowledge so they can navigate through difficulties in ways that foster self-esteem, well-being, and growth.

I am a licensed clinical psychologist with over 15 years of experience helping adults and adolescents navigate emotional challenges, relationship difficulties, life transitions, and periods of feeling stuck or overwhelmed. I earned my PhD in Clinical Psychology from The New School and completed my undergraduate studies in Psychology at Barnard College. My clinical training included work at several major New York City hospitals and psychiatric facilities, including Coney Island Hospital, Harlem Hospital, South Beach Psychiatric Center, and Beth Israel Center for Clinical Training and Research, where I worked with individuals facing a wide range of psychological and emotional concerns.

In addition to my clinical work, I am the founder and Clinical Director of a private practice, where I supervise and mentor a diverse team of psychotherapists. My background also includes years of experience in education, community programming, and psychological research, which has shaped my sensitivity to the ways culture, family systems, identity, achievement, and environment impact emotional wellbeing.

I am a psychodynamic psychotherapist who works with Individual adults and adolescents, many of whom identify as LGBTQ+. I specialize in working with anxiety, depression, trauma, and questions of identity. I have an MSW degree from NYU, where I interned with a psychoanalytic institute. I also earned a BA in Philosophy from The New School.