Psychotherapy and Mental Health Counseling in New York

Aviva Waxler, LCSW

Senior Psychotherapist and Supervisor

We accept most major commercial insurance plans, including Aetna, Wellfleet, Cigna, United Healthcare, Oxford, Oscar Health, Empire Blue Cross Blue Shield, and Carelon Behavioral Health, for residents of New York.

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Hi! I’m Aviva, a licensed psychotherapist and clinical social worker who’s passionate about supporting women in creating healthier relationships and achieving balance in their personal and work lives. My goal is to provide a warm, supportive space where you can explore your inner world, build communication skills, and set boundaries that feel right for you.

As a woman and clinician with my own journey of growth, I understand the importance of both professional guidance and personal insight, and I bring both to my work with clients. I provide emotional space to dive into meaningful conversations about "what makes a good life" or engage in discussions to teach coping skills on "how to quiet an anxious mind."

I also work with couples, helping them cultivate intimacy, authentic happiness, and inner peace together. I deeply value the journey each client takes and am here to support you in discovering the path that feels right for you. I look forward to meeting you and assisting you on your journey.

Top Specialties

Addiction

Coping Skills

Codependency

Expertise

Anxiety

Career Counseling

Depression

Divorce

Family Conflict

Impulse Control Disorders

Life Coaching

Life Transitions

Parenting

I Work With

Individuals

Couples

Education

Touro Graduate School of Social Work

Licensure

LCSW State of New York / 099680

About Aviva

  • Since I was a young girl, I have always been fascinated by the concept of the power and influence that enviornments have on the psyche and personality of a person; the power of ones surroundings being able to mold and transform them. This phenomena gave me great hope when it comes to the concepts of change and redirection of a persons life. Just because someone was born into a challenging set of circumstances, does not mean it has to dictate the rest of ones life. Changing the people, community, employment, friends, mindset, habits etc we immerse ourselves in can dramatically alter one's life. I think we often are under the misperception that we as humans get "stuck" and have "no choice". However, there is always a choice and that is what therapy is all about. Change, true and powerful change. There have been challenges in my life that have lead to be to seek treatment and speak with a therapist. I have been the client in therapy as well as the therapist in therapy. I am confident to say I have a good grasp on what it means to build a therapeutic relationship and how to make clients feel comfortable. I understand that clients are not interested in a monotone robotic person to open up to. Clients want to feel seen and heard and most importantly to feel safe. That is the space I create in my sessions. I have worked in schools, hospitals, agencies and private practices. All of those experiences have taught me valuable lessons when it comes to human behavior and I am grateful for those opportunities. Working in a wide range of placements also gave me an opportunity to discover where I have the most joy and success. I love working with people who are curious about taking the therapy journey. People who want to explore the ideas of change and how to create a happier and fulfilling life.

  • My approach is a mix of "meet the client where they are at" and solution focused. What the means is, the session is about the client and client goals. So if the client wants homework, I assign homework. If the client does not, than I do not. The first few weeks or even months are usually about building rapport, getting comfortable and establishing goals. The most important key is for the client and therapist to establish what are the needs of the client and how can we meet them through the therapy process

  • My approach to life is that "it's what you make of it." Everyone is given a blank canvas and it's about what you create. Every person has different gifts and challenges, which is what makes us unique. Although some people may have been dealt a "harder hand", I still believe in the power of change. However, I think it's also important to note that many people are nervous or hesitant to open up to a stranger (the therapist) and many think therapy 'doesn't work." So I understand that in order for treatment to be successful, the client has to believe in what we're doing, and not everyone does, and that's ok.

Our Therapists

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Book a free 15-minute phone consultation.

We’re excited to hear from you! To get started, our intake specialist will schedule a quick 15-minute phone consultation to verify your insurance and match you with the therapist who’s the best fit for your needs.

We’ll respond to all messages within 48 business hours.

If this is an emergency, please call 911 or reach out to a crisis counselor at 1-888-NYC-WELL. We’re here for you!

Or Contact Us Directly.

To verify your insurance coverage, please email us using the form below. For all other inquiries, we respond within 48 business hours.

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