Anita Aasen, LCSW, LICSW

Anita Aasen is a licensed clinical social worker with 30 years of experience helping individuals, couples, and families navigate life transitions and emotional challenges. Based in New York, she holds the credentials LCSW and LICSW - designations that indicate advanced training and licensure in clinical social work and independent clinical practice. Her work emphasizes grief counseling, stress reduction, self-esteem rebuilding, depression and anxiety management, and trauma-related concerns.

Anita has earned specialized grief certifications, including Certified Grief Informed Professional and Certified Advanced Grief Counseling Specialist, and she integrates those skills into compassionate, evidence-informed care. She has training in cognitive behavioral therapy and mindfulness, and brings experience as a substance abuse counselor with extensive familiarity with 12-step approaches and SMART Recovery and other recovery-based programs.

Her therapeutic stance is client-centered and strength-based. Anita views therapy as a chance to explore lessons within difficulty and to acknowledge the strengths that emerge from struggle. She values the use of humor, gratitude, and spiritual resources when appropriate, and she supports people in rediscovering resilience as they prepare to write the next chapter of their lives.

Approaches and Online Support with Anita Aasen

Anita Aasen integrates client-centered therapy and cognitive behavioral therapy into her online practice to address a wide range of concerns. Client-centered therapy focuses on empathetic listening and forming a respectful partnership that supports clients in exploring their values, goals, and personal strengths - a helpful approach for life transitions, self-esteem work, and relationship concerns. Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) teaches practical skills to identify and shift unhelpful thoughts and behaviors, which can reduce symptoms of anxiety, depression, and stress.

She also uses elements of dialectical behavior therapy to teach emotion regulation, distress tolerance, and interpersonal effectiveness skills when strong emotions or persistent relationship difficulties are present. Choosing the right approach is part of the therapeutic process; Anita works collaboratively with each person to determine which methods best match their needs, goals, and preferences and she adapts strategies as progress unfolds.

Online therapy with Anita is offered by video call, phone session, live chat, or text-based messaging, providing flexibility for busy schedules and for clients in different locations. These options make it easier to maintain continuity of care, access support during transitions, and engage in therapy in formats that feel most comfortable and practical for each individual.