First Responders Therapists in New York, NY
I believe therapy offers a space to bring what feels most difficult to say. Symptoms and struggles are not only obstacles but can be understood as meaningful expressions of one’s history and desires. With time, speaking freely can make it possible to relate differently and discover new ways of living.
I believe therapy offers a space to bring what feels most difficult to say. Symptoms and struggles are not only obstacles but can be understood as meaningful expressions of one’s history and desires. With time, speaking freely can make it possible to relate differently and discover new ways of living.
Understand that each individual is their own, and that same principle applies to myself as well. Someone great once stated, "Life's challenges are not supposed to paralyze you, they're supposed to help you discover who you are," and honestly, I couldn't agree more.
I am a helper by nature and a social worker by profession; my goal is to help individuals, couples and families realize that they already possess the power to implement positive change and we can work together to harness that power and apply it to the issues presenting in their lives.
Understand that each individual is their own, and that same principle applies to myself as well. Someone great once stated, "Life's challenges are not supposed to paralyze you, they're supposed to help you discover who you are," and honestly, I couldn't agree more.
I am a helper by nature and a social worker by profession; my goal is to help individuals, couples and families realize that they already possess the power to implement positive change and we can work together to harness that power and apply it to the issues presenting in their lives.
My areas of expertise include relational functioning and personality dynamics, perinatal mental health, and mental health for veterans and first responders.
We often underestimate past experiences' effect on our personality, self-image, and current relational patterns. Together, we will bridge gaps between the past and present and identify the patterns of behavior, coping, and interpersonal functioning that no longer serve you. My approach to therapy is non-judgmental, empathic, and candid, with humoristic relief. I firmly believe therapy isn't changing you if it isn't challenging you. I strive to build a solid therapeutic relationship and supportive foundation to safely explore uncomfortable thoughts and feelings and promote a greater understanding of self and others.
My areas of expertise include relational functioning and personality dynamics, perinatal mental health, and mental health for veterans and first responders.
We often underestimate past experiences' effect on our personality, self-image, and current relational patterns. Together, we will bridge gaps between the past and present and identify the patterns of behavior, coping, and interpersonal functioning that no longer serve you. My approach to therapy is non-judgmental, empathic, and candid, with humoristic relief. I firmly believe therapy isn't changing you if it isn't challenging you. I strive to build a solid therapeutic relationship and supportive foundation to safely explore uncomfortable thoughts and feelings and promote a greater understanding of self and others.
Dr. Rachel Altman is a psychologist who specializes in helping people navigate challenges in relationships, work through persistent depression, and cope with profound loss. She works with adults and couples, offering a warm, structured, and compassionate space where people can explore the roots of their struggles.
Dr. Rachel Altman is a psychologist who specializes in helping people navigate challenges in relationships, work through persistent depression, and cope with profound loss. She works with adults and couples, offering a warm, structured, and compassionate space where people can explore the roots of their struggles.
I specialize in EMDR treatment for trauma, anxiety, first responders, and highly sensitive clients.
You may be carrying memories, fears, or feelings that are hard to name yet shape your days. Maybe they show up as anxiety, overwhelm, or feeling “off.” You don’t have to carry them alone. In our work together, I offer a space where it’s okay to be messy, quiet, or unsure, and still be fully seen. I listen deeply—beyond the words, to help uncover what’s at the heart of your experience, using EMDR, Progressive Counting, and the Flash Technique to guide healing at the pace your system is ready for.
I specialize in EMDR treatment for trauma, anxiety, first responders, and highly sensitive clients.
You may be carrying memories, fears, or feelings that are hard to name yet shape your days. Maybe they show up as anxiety, overwhelm, or feeling “off.” You don’t have to carry them alone. In our work together, I offer a space where it’s okay to be messy, quiet, or unsure, and still be fully seen. I listen deeply—beyond the words, to help uncover what’s at the heart of your experience, using EMDR, Progressive Counting, and the Flash Technique to guide healing at the pace your system is ready for.
I am a mental health coordinator with experience supporting law enforcement professionals and first responders. My background includes crisis intervention, referral coordination, and therapeutic resource planning. I’m passionate about ensuring access to compassionate and culturally competent care. I take pride in building strong, trusting relationships that help individuals feel supported through challenging times.
I am a mental health coordinator with experience supporting law enforcement professionals and first responders. My background includes crisis intervention, referral coordination, and therapeutic resource planning. I’m passionate about ensuring access to compassionate and culturally competent care. I take pride in building strong, trusting relationships that help individuals feel supported through challenging times.
You might feel like you're spinning your wheels—stuck in old patterns, overwhelmed by anxiety, mood swings, or relationship challenges that just won’t budge. Maybe you’ve tried to push through, but something deeper is calling for attention. I specialize in relational trauma and offer a down-to-earth, integrative approach that blends psychodynamic insight, somatic awareness, and practical tools.
You might feel like you're spinning your wheels—stuck in old patterns, overwhelmed by anxiety, mood swings, or relationship challenges that just won’t budge. Maybe you’ve tried to push through, but something deeper is calling for attention. I specialize in relational trauma and offer a down-to-earth, integrative approach that blends psychodynamic insight, somatic awareness, and practical tools.
I see patients virtually living in New York, California, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Colorado, and Florida.
I see patients virtually living in New York, California, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Colorado, and Florida.
I have extensive professional practice as an educator and coach but also work in emergency services as a fire fighter.
How can I help? Are you are having trouble achieving or discovering your goals, or has life become overwhelming? Perhaps you have been feeling anxious or depressed. Maybe just not like yourself and are in search of a place to talk and process your feelings. You may be looking for help in a specific area of life or feel that something is missing. Whatever you are searching for, effective therapy and coaching will help. I aim to personalize my approach to you. Although many of us have similar struggles, only you are you.
I have extensive professional practice as an educator and coach but also work in emergency services as a fire fighter.
How can I help? Are you are having trouble achieving or discovering your goals, or has life become overwhelming? Perhaps you have been feeling anxious or depressed. Maybe just not like yourself and are in search of a place to talk and process your feelings. You may be looking for help in a specific area of life or feel that something is missing. Whatever you are searching for, effective therapy and coaching will help. I aim to personalize my approach to you. Although many of us have similar struggles, only you are you.
I believe that the therapy relationship has the ability to provide healing, growth and change. Finding a therapist who helps you feel safe, supported and challenged is central to this process. My style is warm and curious as well as direct and challenging. I am an active participant in the process as we seek out the hard and stuck places that get in the way of balance and meaningful relationships.
I believe that the therapy relationship has the ability to provide healing, growth and change. Finding a therapist who helps you feel safe, supported and challenged is central to this process. My style is warm and curious as well as direct and challenging. I am an active participant in the process as we seek out the hard and stuck places that get in the way of balance and meaningful relationships.
Jenice Acosta | EMDR & Neurofeedback
Clinical Social Work/Therapist, LCSW, CCTP-II
3 Endorsed
New York, NY 10004
I specialize in helping adults and first responders to stop the cycles of shame, people pleasing and anxiety, so they can heal from painful experiences, move through grief and find self-compassion and connection.
If anxiety, grief, trauma, or past experiences keep looping in your mind and body, you’re not broken... and you’re not alone. I’m Jenice, an EMDR & Neurofeedback therapist, and founder of Sunlight Psychotherapy. For over 10 years, I’ve helped adults who look “high-functioning” on the outside but feel overwhelmed inside. If you’re the strong one who’s tired of holding it all together, therapy with me is a place to breathe, heal, and finally feel supported.
I specialize in helping adults and first responders to stop the cycles of shame, people pleasing and anxiety, so they can heal from painful experiences, move through grief and find self-compassion and connection.
If anxiety, grief, trauma, or past experiences keep looping in your mind and body, you’re not broken... and you’re not alone. I’m Jenice, an EMDR & Neurofeedback therapist, and founder of Sunlight Psychotherapy. For over 10 years, I’ve helped adults who look “high-functioning” on the outside but feel overwhelmed inside. If you’re the strong one who’s tired of holding it all together, therapy with me is a place to breathe, heal, and finally feel supported.
My practice focuses on caregivers and first responders who feel burnt out and overwhelmed, with little energy or time to take care of themselves.
Death and dying are challenging topics because of stigma and cultural complexities that affect experience. I offer space and a compassionate ear to help process difficult emotions that go with enduring this painful inevitable part of life. I will teach coping skills to put you back in charge and adapt to a better way to live and look at the world.
My practice focuses on caregivers and first responders who feel burnt out and overwhelmed, with little energy or time to take care of themselves.
Death and dying are challenging topics because of stigma and cultural complexities that affect experience. I offer space and a compassionate ear to help process difficult emotions that go with enduring this painful inevitable part of life. I will teach coping skills to put you back in charge and adapt to a better way to live and look at the world.
I specialize in supporting First Responders and individuals navigating stress, personal challenges, or life transitions—providing grounded, compassionate care tailored to your unique needs.
My approach is practical, compassionate, and down-to-earth. I’ll meet you with empathy and honesty, offering support without judgment. Together, we’ll explore what’s holding you back and help you reconnect with your true self.
I specialize in supporting First Responders and individuals navigating stress, personal challenges, or life transitions—providing grounded, compassionate care tailored to your unique needs.
My approach is practical, compassionate, and down-to-earth. I’ll meet you with empathy and honesty, offering support without judgment. Together, we’ll explore what’s holding you back and help you reconnect with your true self.
I also have extensive experience working with First Responders in government and hospital settings.
When people who are new to therapy ask me what it’s like, I say that while it’s not always comfortable, it is often an incredibly rich and powerful experience—even after only one session. You will move toward a more grounded place, strengthen your coping skills and hopefully learn to give yourself more compassion. Therapy can serve as an anchor as you move through the stickiness that life can bring. We often underestimate how much relief we can experience simply having the space to feel heard by someone.
I also have extensive experience working with First Responders in government and hospital settings.
When people who are new to therapy ask me what it’s like, I say that while it’s not always comfortable, it is often an incredibly rich and powerful experience—even after only one session. You will move toward a more grounded place, strengthen your coping skills and hopefully learn to give yourself more compassion. Therapy can serve as an anchor as you move through the stickiness that life can bring. We often underestimate how much relief we can experience simply having the space to feel heard by someone.
Life can be overwhelming, and it’s okay to ask for help when it feels like too much to handle alone. If you're struggling with anxiety, depression, relationship challenges, or past trauma, I'm here to support you in your journey toward healing and growth. As a therapist, I specialize in helping you tap into your inner strength, build resilience, and discover new ways to move forward. My goal is to help you not just manage life’s challenges, but to thrive and become the best version of yourself. Whether you're looking to build better coping skills or just need a space to process, I’m here to help you work towards your goals.
Life can be overwhelming, and it’s okay to ask for help when it feels like too much to handle alone. If you're struggling with anxiety, depression, relationship challenges, or past trauma, I'm here to support you in your journey toward healing and growth. As a therapist, I specialize in helping you tap into your inner strength, build resilience, and discover new ways to move forward. My goal is to help you not just manage life’s challenges, but to thrive and become the best version of yourself. Whether you're looking to build better coping skills or just need a space to process, I’m here to help you work towards your goals.
In addition, I specialize in supporting first responders, nurses, their families and others in high-stress professions dealing with burnout, PTSD, or occupational stress.
How can I help you take the next step? I have been in the field for 20 years, providing individuals and groups the tools to relieve stress, improve their relationship with themselves, their partner or family members. To maintain recovery, identify and absolve blocks and patterns through discovering “parts” of themselves not yet uncovered or explored.
In addition, I specialize in supporting first responders, nurses, their families and others in high-stress professions dealing with burnout, PTSD, or occupational stress.
How can I help you take the next step? I have been in the field for 20 years, providing individuals and groups the tools to relieve stress, improve their relationship with themselves, their partner or family members. To maintain recovery, identify and absolve blocks and patterns through discovering “parts” of themselves not yet uncovered or explored.
I believe therapy is a collaborative effort between the client and therapist. As a therapist, utilize evidence-based models such as cognitive behavioral therapy, solution-focused therapy, and the biology of human behavior. The focus of therapy is to assist clients in attaining goals through a step-by-step process so they can gradually transition into a healthy lifestyle. Explaining how behavioral symptoms are related to brain biology makes patients understand themselves and the people around them.
I believe therapy is a collaborative effort between the client and therapist. As a therapist, utilize evidence-based models such as cognitive behavioral therapy, solution-focused therapy, and the biology of human behavior. The focus of therapy is to assist clients in attaining goals through a step-by-step process so they can gradually transition into a healthy lifestyle. Explaining how behavioral symptoms are related to brain biology makes patients understand themselves and the people around them.
In addition to life transitions and general mental health concerns, I specialize in working with high-performing individuals, such as athletes and first responders.
My primary aim is to offer an authentic space to form a relationship and explore patterns that may be occurring in your life. We'll work together to grow an open-minded curiosity about your experience and build insight in the process. Part of our work will involve leveraging this insight into new, more effective ways of managing distress.
I particularly enjoy working with clients who are seeking to learn more about themselves and would like some assistance processing difficult emotions, events, and/or relationships.
In addition to life transitions and general mental health concerns, I specialize in working with high-performing individuals, such as athletes and first responders.
My primary aim is to offer an authentic space to form a relationship and explore patterns that may be occurring in your life. We'll work together to grow an open-minded curiosity about your experience and build insight in the process. Part of our work will involve leveraging this insight into new, more effective ways of managing distress.
I particularly enjoy working with clients who are seeking to learn more about themselves and would like some assistance processing difficult emotions, events, and/or relationships.
I believe care should feel personal, accessible, and be built on a genuine partnership. As a board-certified, doctorally-prepared Nurse Practitioner, I provide comprehensive, relationship-based care that addresses both physical health and mental well-being.
You have direct access to me, longer visits, and a thoughtful approach to prevention, chronic disease management, and acute concerns. Equally important, we focus on stress, burnout, sleep, mood, and the behavioral factors that shape long-term health outcomes.
I work with patients to develop practical, sustainable strategies to allow for long term change.
I believe care should feel personal, accessible, and be built on a genuine partnership. As a board-certified, doctorally-prepared Nurse Practitioner, I provide comprehensive, relationship-based care that addresses both physical health and mental well-being.
You have direct access to me, longer visits, and a thoughtful approach to prevention, chronic disease management, and acute concerns. Equally important, we focus on stress, burnout, sleep, mood, and the behavioral factors that shape long-term health outcomes.
I work with patients to develop practical, sustainable strategies to allow for long term change.
I have been practicing psychotherapy for over 20 years. I work mostly with individual adults using psychodynamic therapy, an evidence-based approach that helps people process painful experiences that can get stuck in the body and mind and cause symptoms to surface as anxiety or depression. I also integrate mindfulness alongside dialectical and cognitive behavioral therapies to reduce critical thoughts, negative self-talk, and anticipatory fears.
I have been practicing psychotherapy for over 20 years. I work mostly with individual adults using psychodynamic therapy, an evidence-based approach that helps people process painful experiences that can get stuck in the body and mind and cause symptoms to surface as anxiety or depression. I also integrate mindfulness alongside dialectical and cognitive behavioral therapies to reduce critical thoughts, negative self-talk, and anticipatory fears.
See more therapy options for New York
Nearby First Responders Therapists Searches for New York
- Astoria
- Bayside
- Bronx
- Brooklyn
- Flushing
- Forest Hills
- Jackson Heights
- Jamaica
- Long Island City
- Ridgewood
- Riverdale
- Westchester
First Responders Therapists
Why is mental health important for first responders?
As part of their work, first responders are often exposed to high levels of stress, trauma, and physical injury that can put them at a greater risk for serious mental health conditions than the general population. Conditions like PTSD, anxiety, substance use, and depression are more common in first responders, which can greatly reduce quality of life and lead to burnout, sleep disruption, and even suicidal thoughts. Therapy can offer an opportunity for first responders to process difficult on-the-job experiences and develop coping skills to better manage any mental health symptoms they may experience.
How can first responders get access to mental health support?
Many first responders can access therapy for free or at a very low cost through their employer, such as through an Employee Assistance Program (EAP). Workplaces may also offer or have referral recommendations for support groups, where first responders can meet with others in their profession to receive support. Individuals who would like to access mental health services outside of their employer may use their insurance benefits to see a therapist, which they can find by searching for therapists online or asking for recommendations from their primary care physician.
What type of therapy is best for first responders?
The best therapy approach depends on the mental health concerns of the client. Since many first responders struggle with trauma or PTSD, they may benefit from trauma-specific therapeutic approaches, such as Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) Therapy, Exposure Therapy, or Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT). Individuals with symptoms of anxiety, depression, or stress may alternatively benefit from Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) or mindfulness-based therapeutic approaches, which can help clients develop coping skills to manage distressing thoughts.
Can therapy for first responders help with trauma and PTSD?
Therapy can be highly effective in both treating and preventing trauma and PTSD in first responders. Typically, therapy for trauma and PTSD focuses on developing stress management skills and managing intrusive or unwanted thoughts. Therapists working with first responders often help clients strengthen their relationships and reduce harmful coping mechanisms, such as excessive substance use. Additionally, therapists assist first responders in establishing daily habits that support overall mental and physical health and enhance resilience to future stress, such as regular physical exercise, mindfulness practices, and improved eating habits.