Simona Ostrow, LMHC

Simona Ostrow is a New York based Licensed Mental Health Counselor (LMHC) with 20 years of professional experience helping adults navigate life changes, workplace challenges, and mood concerns. She works with individuals coping with stress and anxiety, depression, bipolar disorder, and a range of developmental and physical differences including learning disabilities, ADHD, and Autism Spectrum Disorder. Drawing on a broad clinical focus, Simona also supports clients facing chronic illness and pain, caregiving stress, relationship and communication problems, social anxiety, and issues related to life purpose and self-worth.

Simona approaches therapy from a strengths based perspective, believing that each person is the expert of their own story and already carries resources that can be applied to change. She combines practical strategies and evidence informed skills to address immediate symptoms while exploring longer term goals such as forgiveness, improved communication, and deeper self compassion. Beginning therapy can take courage, and she acknowledges that step while offering steady, empathic support throughout the process.

Simona generally checks messages a few times per day Monday through Thursday and responds as promptly as possible. She asks for patience when responses take a bit longer, as she may be attending to other clients or professional and personal responsibilities. Simona holds a New York LMHC credential - Licensed Mental Health Counselor - and practices with a focus on collaborative, goal oriented care.

Therapeutic Approaches and Online Care

Simona uses Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) to help clients identify and shift unhelpful thinking patterns and behaviors. CBT is practical and skills oriented - it is often used to address anxiety, depression, and stress by teaching strategies that reduce symptoms and improve day to day functioning.

She also incorporates Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) skills, which focus on emotion regulation, distress tolerance, and interpersonal effectiveness. DBT techniques can be especially helpful for managing intense emotions, improving relationships, and developing clearer communication skills.

Choosing the right approach is part of the therapeutic journey. Simona works collaboratively with clients to determine which methods fit their needs, goals, and personal preferences, and she adjusts the plan as progress unfolds.

Online therapy offers practical flexibility - sessions can take place by video call or phone, and shorter conversations are available through live chat or text based messaging. These options make scheduling easier around work, caregiving, and daily life, and allow clients to receive consistent support from licensed professionals in ways that suit their routines.