It’s not about us

We still feel its important for you to know who we are and what we do

Meet The Team

We believe its “takes a village” for a community to thrive. Our team took their experiences in education and life and together made Collaborative to tackle even the most toughest of challenges.

Please feel free to search for your service, location or insurance provider. You may also book with a provider on their profiles below

Frances Zhang, BS

Position: Clinical Intern
Phone: (929) 556-4936
Email: frances.zhang@collaborative-people.com
Areas of Work: *Out of Network*, 12- Step Friendly, Adaptive Mentalization based integrative treatment, Addiction Counseling, Additional Areas of Specialization, Adjustment Disorder, Adolescent / Teen Issues, Adults (25-64), Alcohol Use, Anger Management, Art Therapy, Asexual, Attachment Theory, Behavioral Therapy, Bereavement / Grief Counseling, Bisexual, Body Positivity/Health at every size, Body-Focused Therapy (ex: Tapping), Bonny Method of Guided Imagery and Music (GIM), Buddhist, Burnout, Career-Related Stress, Christian, Cigna, Coaching, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy - Insomnia (CBT-I), Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Psychosis (CBT), Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT), Cognitive Processing Therapy for PTSD (CPT), Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT) , Compassion Fatigue, Couples (Relationship Therapy), Creative/Expressive Arts Therapy, Cultural Diversity Issues, Culturally Sensitive, Dating, Depression, Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT), Emerging Adulthood, Emotionally Focused Therapy, English, Eye-Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR), Family Therapy, Fear of Failure, Female Identifying, Fidelis, Gay, Gestalt Therapy, Group Therapy, Group Therapy, Harm Reduction Therapy, Hindu, Hypnosis or Hypnotherapy, Imposter Syndrome, Individual Therapy, Interpersonal, Lesbian, Level 1 Clinician, LGBT Care, LGBTQIA+, Life Transitions, Mandarin, Marriage Counseling, Masculinity-Related Stress, Mindful-Based Therapy, Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT), Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR), Motivational Enhancement Therapy (MET), Motivational Interviewing (MI), Music Therapy, Non-Binary, Nonreligious, Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD), Open Relationships/Non-Monogomy, Pansexual, Person Centered (Rogerian), Positive Psychology, Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) Counseling, Pre-Move In Couples Counseling, Procrastination, Psychedelic Integration, Psychedelic Integration Therapy, Psychodynamic Therapy, Queer, Queer-Competent, Racial Justice Framework, Racism Issues, Rational Emotive Behavior Therapy (REBT), Reiki, Relationship Struggles / Issues, Romantic Life, Self-Harm / Injury, Seniors (65+), Sex Worker Positive, Social Anxiety Disorder, Somatic Therapy, Spirituality, Spiritually Integrated Psychotherapy (SIP), Straight, Strength-Based Therapy, Stress, Stress Management, Teenagers/Adolescents (13-17), Trans-Competant, Women's Health, Women's Issues / Obstacles, Young Adulthood, Young Adults (18-24)
Location: 5th Avenue, New York, Tele-Health/Virtual

Frances (she/her) holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology and Child-Adolescent Mental Studies from New York University. She is currently pursuing a Master’s Degree in Psychological Counseling and an Ed.M in Mental Health Counseling at Columbia University.

Her counseling style is client-centered, with a touch of humor and passion. Frances celebrates the courage of her clients and deeply values the intersectional complexities of our lived experiences. Tailoring treatment plans to each unique individual, she works from an eclectic framework, including Cognitive-Behavioral, Emotion-focused and mindfulness approaches.

Frances is comfortable addressing a wide range of concerns, including assisting those grappling with anxiety, depression, family or romantic relationship issues, career burnout, life adjustments, and other specific challenges faced by AAPI Queer individuals.

Born in China, Frances brings an international perspective to her work and is fluent in both English and Mandarin. She offers Mandarin counseling services upon request. Her curiosity and open-mindedness have driven her to study, research and work within both East Asian and U.S. communities.

Frances aspires to be a therapist who walks alongside her clients, sharing in their laughter, tears, and moments of growth. In her leisure time, she enjoys listening to music, walking her furry friend “Chips”, and traveling to islands with abundant sunlight!

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Frances Zhang, BS

Clinical Intern

Frances (she/her) holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology and Child-Adolescent...

David Díaz, MS, LMHC

Position: Supervisor & Psychotherapist
Phone: (929) 930-5019
Email: david.diaz@collaborative-people.com
Areas of Work: *Out of Network*, 12- Step Friendly, Adults (25-64), Affirming Therapy, Aging Parents, AIDS - HIV, Alcohol Use, Alcoholism, Anger, Anger Management, Anxiety Disorder, Asexual, Asperger's Syndrome, Attachment Disorder, Behavioral Issues / Problems, Betrayal Trauma, BIPOC Mental Health Issues, Bisexual, Body Positivity/Health at every size, Canabis Use disorder, Christian, Chronic Impulsivity, Cigna, Codependency, Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT) , Complex Trauma, Couples (Relationship Therapy), Cultural Competence, Cultural Diversity Issues, Dating, Depression, Drug Addiction, Drug Use, Early Childhood Trauma, Emerging Adulthood, Emotional Abuse, Emotionally Focused, Emotionally Focused Therapy, English, Existential Anxiety, Existential Crisis or Transition, Family Conflicts / Issues, Family Dynamics / Systems, Family Therapy, Family Therapy, Fidelis, Gay, Gay, Gender Dysphoria, Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD), Gottman Method, Grief and Loss, Group Therapy, Individual Therapy, Intergenerational Trauma, Intimate Partner Violence, Jewish, Ketamine assisted therapy, Level 3 Clinician, LGBTQIA+, Loneliness, Major Depressive Disorder (MDD), Male Identifying, Men's Mental Health Issues, Mood Disorder/Mood Swings, Muslim, Narrative Therapy, Non-suicidal Self-Injury, Non-Traditional Romantic Stress, Nonreligious, Open Relationships/Non-Monogomy, Parenting, Physical Abuse Trauma, Psychedelic Integration Therapy, Psychodynamic Therapy, Queer, Queer, Queer-Competent, Race-Related Stress, Racial Justice Framework, Reactive Attachment Disorder (RAD), Self-Harm / Injury, Sex Positive/Kink Friendly, Sex Therapy, Sex Worker Positive, Sexual Abuse, Sexual Dysfunction, Sexual Identity, Social Justice, Spanish, Structural Family Therapy, Suicidal Feelings, Suicidal Ideation, Teenagers/Adolescents (13-17), Trans-Competant, Transgender, Trauma / Trauma Focused, Vegan, Young Adults (18-24)
Location: 5th Avenue, New York, Tele-Health/Virtual

David’s (He/Him) practice incorporates knowledge and techniques from various therapeutic modalities. He can conduct therapy sessions in English and Spanish. He is passionate in listening to a client’s story on who they were, and what story they would like to have today and tomorrow. He has vast experience working with people who are challenged by depression and/or anxiety and people who have a history of self-harm and suicidal ideation. He has experience working with clients in overcoming sexual abuse/intimate partner violence, intergenerational and racial trauma. He enjoys working with people within the Queer and LGBTQIA+ community and provides an affirming environment. He is passionate in supporting trans and nonbinary folks of all ages.

As a therapist that is social justice-oriented, he wants to include relevant identifying factors into the therapy room such as culture, sexual orientation, race, gender and expression, religion, family relationships/history, etc. His style comes down to working through the lens of somatic psychotherapy… meaning that his understanding of our emotional health is a response to internal and external stressors, and tension or trauma that is kept in our bodies. Other theoretical frameworks that he uses are narrative therapy, experiential therapy, emotionally-focused therapy, family systems, Gottman’s Method and structural Family therapy.

He is a Licensed Mental Health Counselor (LMHC), and received his Master’s degree in Mental Health Counseling and an Advanced Certificate in Marriage and Family therapy (MFT) at Long Island University in Brooklyn, New York. He has desires to be trained in EMDR and to provide Ketamine-Assisted Therapy. He continued his work in a non-profit organization in Greenpoint Brooklyn providing therapy at a substance abuse outpatient treatment program for adolescents, adults and their significant others. Additionally, he provided virtual in-home therapy parent coaching to families across the country.

In his free time, he enjoys to ride his bike to different restaurants with friends, host dinners/gatherings, take part in some form of painting/pottery, dancing in nightlife and traveling to new countries.

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David Díaz, MS, LMHC

Supervisor & Psychotherapist

David’s (He/Him) practice incorporates knowledge and techniques from various therapeutic...

Brian Molloy, BA

Position: Clinical Intern
Phone: (929) 431-1224
Email: brian.molloy@collaborative-people.com
Areas of Work: 12- Step Friendly, Addiction Counseling, Adjustment Disorder, Adolescent / Teen Issues, Adolescent Addiction / Substance Use, Adult Psychotherapy, Affirming Therapy, Aging Parents, AIDS - HIV, Alcohol Use, Alcoholism, Anger, Anger Management, Anti-Social Personality Disorder (ASPD), Anxiety Disorder, Applied Behavioral Analysis, Artist-Related Stress, Asexual, Asperger's Syndrome, Attachment Disorder, Autism Spectrum Disorder, Behavior Modification, Behavioral Issues / Problems, Behavioral Therapy, Betrayal Trauma, Bipolar Disorder, Bisexual, Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD), Buddhist, Burnout, Career-Related Stress, Childhood Trauma, Christian, Chronic Illness, Chronic Impulsivity, Chronic Relapse, Cigna, Client Centered Therapy/Rogerian Therapy, Codependency, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Psychosis (CBT), Complex Trauma, Confidence Issues, Couples (Relationship Therapy), Couples Conflict Resolution, Creative Blocks, Credentialed Alcoholism and Substance Abuse Counselor, Cultural Competence, Cultural Diversity Issues, Culturally Sensitive, Dating, Depression, Dialectical, Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT), Disruptive, Impulse-Control and Conduct Disorders, Dissociative Disorder, Dream Analysis, Dreams, Drug Addiction, Drug Use, Dual Diagnosis, Early Childhood Trauma, Emerging Adulthood, Emotional Abuse, Emotional and Behavioral Disorders, Emotional Disturbance, Ex-Cult Support, Family Conflicts / Issues, Family Dynamics / Systems, Family Therapy, Fear of Failure, Fidelis, Gaslighting, Gay, Gay, Gender Dysphoria, Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD), Grief and Loss, Group Therapy, Group Therapy, Harm Reduction Therapy, Hoarding Disorder, Humanistic Therapy, Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), Imposter Syndrome, Impulse Control Disorder (ICD), Indecision, Individual Therapy, Intergenerational Trauma, Internet Addiction, Intrusive Thoughts, Jewish, Learning Disabilities, Lesbian, Level 1 Clinician, LGBT Care, LGBTQIA+, Life Coaching, Life Transitions, Life Transitions, Loneliness, Low Self Esteem, Major Depressive Disorder (MDD), Male Identifying, Marriage Conflict Resolution, Masculinity-Related Stress, Medical Trauma, Men's Issues, Men's Mental Health Issues, Mental Health Consultation, Mental Health Problem / Illness, Mid-Life Crisis, Mindful-Based Therapy, Money-Related Stress, Mood Disorder/Mood Swings, Multicultural Therapy, Music Therapy, Neuro-Linguistic, Non-Traditional Romantic Stress, Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD), Open Relationships/Non-Monogomy, Oppositional Defiant Disorder (ODD), Panic Disorder, Parenting, Peer Relationships, Perfectionism, Performance Anxiety, Personality Disorders, Physical Abuse, Physical Abuse Trauma, Porn Addiction, Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) Counseling, Pre-College Fears, Premarital / Marital, Procrastination, Psychiatric Rehabilitation, Psychoanalytic and Psychodynamic Therapy, Psychological First Aid, Psychological Trauma, Quarter-Life Crisis, Queer, Queer-Competent, Questioning, Recently Moved, Reiki, Relapse Prevention Therapy, Relationship Struggles / Issues, Romantic Life, School Phobia, Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD), Self Esteem, Self-Reflection, Separation Anxiety, Sex Positive/Kink Friendly, Sex Therapy, Sex Worker Positive, Sexual Abuse, Sexual Abuse counseling, Sexual Addiction, Sexual Dysfunction, Sexual Fear, Sexual Identity, Sexuality, Sibling-Related Stress, Sleep Disorder, Sleep Problems, Social Anxiety, Social Anxiety Disorder, Social Justice, Social Life, Solution-Focused Brief Therapy (SFBT), Somatic Symptom Disorder (SSD), Spiritual Crisis or Transition, Spirituality, Suicidal Feelings, Suicidal Ideation, Trans-Competant, Transgender, Transitioning, Trauma / Trauma Focused, Trauma Therapy, Traumatic Grief, Vulnerability, Walk and Talk Therapy or OutdoorTherapy, Women's Health, Women's Issues / Obstacles, Women's Issues Therapy, Work-Related Counseling, Worry, Young Adulthood
Location: 5th Avenue, New York, Tele-Health/Virtual

Brian (He/Him) is currently a graduate student at Baruch College – City University of New York pursuing his M.A. in Mental Health Counseling. He holds an A.A. from Southeastern Illinois College as well as a B.A. in Psychology from Brooklyn College – City University of New York. Brian did additional schooling at Murray State University in Kentucky and holds his Certification as a Reiki Master Practitioner from Tribeca Hypnosis & Healing Institute.

He believes that therapy should be a collaboration between therapist and client and will do what is best for his clients. He utilizes a person-centered approach that includes aspects of CBT, DBT, psychodynamic, and humanistic methodologies in an effort to help client’s reach their goals and potential. His general areas of focus are on the LGBTQ+ community, substance abuse, anxiety, depression, bipolar disorder, ADHD, neurodivergence, sex positivity, CNM, and those living with infectious disease. Brian’s favorite saying is “feelings are not facts; however, your feelings are valid.”

Brian thinks that self-care is very important and that it takes many forms. As a former actor/singer, a large part of his routine is to sing whenever possible and attend the theatre whenever the opportunity presents itself. Other areas of his self-care routine are spending time with family and friends, fitness, taking walks, and watching a good comedy in efforts to not take things too seriously.


 

Brian Molloy, BA

Clinical Intern

Brian (He/Him) is currently a graduate student at Baruch College...

Blair Luedke, BS

Position: Clinical Intern
Phone: (929) 203-4662
Email: blair.luedke@collaborative-people.com
Areas of Work: *Out of Network*, 12- Step Friendly, Additional Areas of Specialization, Adjustment Disorder, Adults (25-64), Aerophobia (flying), Alcohol Use, Animal-Assisted Therapy, Anorexia Nervosa, Art Therapy, Asexual, Asexual, Behavioral Issues / Problems, Behavioral Therapy, Betrayal Trauma, Binge Eating Disorder, Biofeedback, BIPOC Mental Health Issues, Bipolar Disorder, Bisexual, Bisexual, Body Dysmorphic Disorder, Buddhist, Bulimia Nervosa, Bullying, Burnout, Caregiver Burnout, Childhood Trauma, Christian, Chronic Illness, Chronic Impulsivity, Cigna, Codependency, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Psychosis (CBT), Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT) , Confidence Issues, Couples (Relationship Therapy), Cultural Competence, Cultural Diversity Issues, Dating, Daytime Sleepiness, Depression, Dream Analysis, Dreams, Eating Patterns or Eating Disorders, Eclectic, Emotional Abuse, Emotional and Behavioral Disorders, Emotional Disturbance, Emotional Overeating, English, Existential Anxiety, Family, Family Conflicts / Issues, Family Dynamics / Systems, Family Therapy, Female Identifying, Feminist, Fertility / Infertility, Fertility Counseling, Fidelis, Gaslighting, Gay, Gay, Gender Dysphoria, Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD), Grief and Loss, Group Therapy, Group Therapy, Harassment, Health at Every Size, Health-Related Concerns, Hearing Impairment Counseling, Hindu, Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), Imposter Syndrome, Individual Therapy, Insomnia, Intimate Partner Violence, Intimate Partner Violence (IPV) Trauma, Intrusive Thoughts, Irrational Fears, Jewish, Lesbian, Lesbian, Level 1 Clinician, LGBT Care, LGBTQIA+, Life Coaching, Life Transitions, Life Transitions, Loneliness, Low Self Esteem, Major Depressive Disorder (MDD), Malaise, Masculinity-Related Stress, Men's Issues, Men's Mental Health Issues, Migraines / Chronic Headaches, Mindful-Based Therapy, Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT), Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR), Multicultural Therapy, Music Therapy, Muslim, Non-Binary, Nonreligious, Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD), Open Relationships/Non-Monogomy, Panic Disorder, Pansexual, Peer Relationships, Performance Anxiety, Perinatal Mental Health, Physical Abuse, Postpartum Anxiety, Postpartum Depression, Pre-College Fears, Pregnancy, Pregnancy-Related Stress, Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder (PMDD), Premenstrual Syndrome (PMS), Prenatal, Psychedelic Integration Therapy, Psychoanalytic, Psychodynamic Therapy, Quarter-Life Crisis, Queer, Queer, Queer-Competent, Questioning, Racism Issues, Reality Therapy, Recently Moved, Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD), Self Esteem, Self-Reflection, Sex Positive/Kink Friendly, Sexual Abuse, Sexual Abuse counseling, Sexual Addiction, Sexual Dysfunction, Sexual Fear, Sexual Identity, Sexuality, Sibling-Related Stress, Sleep Disorder, Sleep Problems, Social Anxiety, Social Anxiety Disorder, Social Justice, Social Life, Spiritual Crisis or Transition, Spirituality, Sports Performance, Straight, Strength-Based, Stress, Trans-Competant, Transgender, Transitioning, Trauma / Trauma Focused, Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT), Vulnerability, Walk and Talk Therapy or OutdoorTherapy, Weight Loss, Women's Health, Women's Issues / Obstacles, Women's Issues Therapy, Worry, Young Adulthood, Young Adults (18-24)
Location: 5th Avenue, New York, Tele-Health/Virtual

Blair (She/Her) is a graduate student at Long Island University pursuing a M.S in Mental Health Counseling. She currently holds a student membership in American Mental Health Counselors Association (AMHCA) as well as American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy (AAMFT) and enjoys attending webinars exploring new interventions. She has studied different theories to help establish a framework while working with clients, including but not limited to REBT, CBT, Psychoanalytic, Reality, and different MFT modalities. Blair attained her B.S in Kinesiology and Applied Physiology from the University of Delaware.

She has encouraged and led a holistic lifestyle and enjoys using her background to connect both physical and mental health to achieve overall wellness. Blair is also in the midst of her 200-hr Yoga Teacher Training and aims to utilize these skills in her therapeutic practice to help strengthen client’s self-awareness. She strives to be an ambassador of holistic wellness, while connecting with others to help them to tap into their true potential, already inside of them. She believes fostering a warm and safe environment is key for her clients to feel supported and open to be themselves.

Blair loves to spend time outside in the sun whenever she can, especially if it is with one of her dogs. She is an avid lover of animals and will try to pet one every chance she gets. Blair enjoys spending time in the kitchen with new recipes, and her favorite part: eating them. She gravitates towards all things’ movement: practicing yoga, dancing, and hiking, all with a smile on her face. 


 

Blair Luedke, BS

Clinical Intern

Blair (She/Her) is a graduate student at Long Island University...

Maria Pietruszka, MS, LMHC, CASAC-T

Position: Psychotherapist & Supervisor
Phone: (929) 538-3245
Email: maria.pietruszka@collaborative-people.com
Areas of Work: *Out of Network*, 12- Step Friendly, Abstinence Based Psychotherapy, Acceptance Commitment Therapy (ACT), Addiction Counseling, Adjustment Disorder, Adolescent / Teen Issues, Adolescent Addiction / Substance Use, Adoption, Adult Psychotherapy, Adults (25-64), Affirming Therapy, Aging Parents, AIDS - HIV, Alcohol Use, Alcoholism, Anger, Anger Management, Animal-Assisted Therapy, Anti-Social Personality Disorder (ASPD), Anxiety Disorder, Artist-Related Stress, Asexual, Attachment Disorder, Behavior Modification, Behavioral Issues / Problems, Behavioral Therapy, Bereavement / Grief Counseling, Betrayal Trauma, BIPOC Mental Health Issues, Bisexual, Bisexual, Body Positivity/Health at every size, Body-Focused Therapy (ex: Tapping), Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD), Buddhist, Bullying, Burnout, Canabis Use disorder, Career-Related Stress, Caregiver Burnout, Chemical Dependency Assessments, Childhood Trauma, Children (<13), Christian, Christian Counseling, Chronic Relapse, Cigna, Client Centered Therapy/Rogerian Therapy, Clinical Supervision and Licensed Supervisors, Codependency, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Psychosis (CBT), Commitment Obstacles, Community Violence, Compassion Fatigue, Confidence Issues, Coping Mechanism Development, COVID-19 Stress, Credentialed Alcoholism and Substance Abuse Counselor, Cultural Competence, Cultural Diversity Issues, Dance/Movement Therapy (DMT), Dating, Depression, Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT), Disruptive, Impulse-Control and Conduct Disorders, Drug Addiction, Drug Use, Dual Diagnosis, Early Childhood Trauma, Emerging Adulthood, Emotion Regulaton Therapy (ERT), Emotional Abuse, Emotional and Behavioral Disorders, Emotional Disturbance, English, Eye-Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR), Family Conflicts / Issues, Family constellations, Family Dynamics / Systems, Family Planning, Family Systems, Fear of Failure, Female Identifying, Feminist, Fidelis, Forensic Psychology, Gambling / Crypto Addiction, Gay, Gay, Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD), Group Therapy, Group Therapy, Harassment, Harm Reduction Therapy, Health at Every Size, Health-Related Concerns, Humanistic Therapy, Immigration, Immigration Psychological Evaluation, Imposter Syndrome, Impulse Control Disorder (ICD), Indecision, Individual Therapy, Intergenerational Trauma, Internal Family systems (IFS), Internet Addiction, Intersex, Intervention, Intimate Partner Violence, Intimate Partner Violence (IPV) Trauma, Intrusive Thoughts, Irrational Fears, Jewish, Lesbian, Lesbian, Level 3 Clinician, LGBTQIA+, Life Transitions, Life Transitions, Loneliness, Low Self Esteem, Major Depressive Disorder (MDD), Male Identifying, Marijuana Disorder, Marriage Counseling, Masculinity-Related Stress, Medication Management, Medication Management, Medication-Induced Anxiety Disorder, Mental Health Problem / Illness, Mental State Opinion, Mentalization Based Treatment, Mid-Life Crisis, Migraines / Chronic Headaches, Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT), Money-Related Stress, Mood Disorder/Mood Swings, Motivational Interviewing (MI), Multicultural Therapy, Music Therapy, Muslim, Natural Disasters, Non-Binary, Non-suicidal Self-Injury, Non-Traditional Romantic Stress, Nonreligious, Open Relationships/Non-Monogomy, Parenting, Peer Relationships, Perfectionism, Performance Anxiety, Polish, Positive Psychology, Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) Counseling, Pre-College Fears, Premarital / Marital, Premenopausal Symptoms, Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder (PMDD), Premenstrual Syndrome (PMS), Procrastination, Psychedelic Integration Therapy, Quarter-Life Crisis, Queer, Queer, Queer-Competent, Questioning, Race-Related Stress, Racial Justice Framework, Racism Issues, Rational Emotive Behavior Therapy (REBT), Reality Therapy, Recently Moved, Refugee Trauma, Relapse Prevention Therapy, Relationship Struggles / Issues, Romantic Life, School Phobia, Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD), Self Esteem, Seniors (65+), Separation Anxiety, Sex Positive/Kink Friendly, Sex Worker Positive, Sexual Identity, Sexuality, Sibling-Related Stress, Social Anxiety, Social Anxiety Disorder, Social Justice, Social Life, Social Therapy, Spiritual Crisis or Transition, Spirituality, Straight, Strength-Based, Strength-Based Therapy, Stress, Stress Management, Teaching, Teenagers/Adolescents (13-17), Trans-Competant, Transgender, Transitioning, Trauma / Trauma Focused, Trauma Therapy, Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT), Vegan, Vulnerability, Women's Issues / Obstacles, Women's Issues Therapy, Work-Related Counseling, Worry, Young Adulthood, Young Adults (18-24)
Location: 5th Avenue, New York, Tele-Health/Virtual

Maria (She/Her) was born in Poland and migrated to NYC at the age of 3.  She was raised in Brooklyn and carries that as a badge of honor.

Maria attended Hunter College where she graduated with a degree in Sociology.  She then attended LIU Brooklyn and obtained her Master’s in Mental Health Counseling in 2017.  During her time at LIU Brooklyn, she was the campus representative for the American Psychology Association Division 35 Society for the Psychology of Women. Maria was involved in hosting events that help spread awareness for feminist research, theory and education to understand and improve the lives of girls and women in all their diversities. This helped Maria develop her passion towards working with women and women’s issues.

After graduation, Maria was hired as a full time substance abuse counselor at Outreach, where she completed her internship for graduate school. She worked with adults to help them reach their goals in recovery. Maria implemented harm reduction techniques to help promote a more inclusive and realistic approach for treating substance use disorders.  She is determined to approach all her clients by meeting them where they are and empowering them to meet their treatment and therapy goals.

After 3 years, Maria was promoted to Program Coordinator where she was responsible for running Restart Academy, a Department of Education alternative high school for students with substance use and behavioral issues and an after school program for outpatient services for adolescents. Maria enjoyed working and advocating for adolescents and young people. She guided them through different life transitions like: finishing high school, coping with peer pressure and preparing for the next chapters of their lives like college or full time employment.

Maria also supervised new counselors and her approach was always to empower counselors and teach them listen to their “clinical gut”.

Maria is driven by social justice and participated in movements for Black Lives Matter, women’s rights and animal rights. Her approaches in therapy display her commitment to provide an empathic, compassionate and judgement-free space where people from all walks of life can address their emotional issues, life transitions and meet their therapy goals.

When she is not in session, Maria teaches as an adjunct lecturer at Hunger College. She teaches courses like Drugs and Society and the Sociology of Mental Health.  In her free time, Maria loves to re-watch “The Office”, spend time with her two cats Rajah and Stella and try new vegan recipes.


Maria Pietruszka, MS, LMHC, CASAC-T

Psychotherapist & Supervisor

Maria (She/Her) was born in Poland and migrated to NYC...

Now Accepting Cigna/Evernorth and Fidelis Care!

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