Julissa Aquan

I am a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) in New York with a Master of Social Work degree from Fordham University and extensive experience providing psychotherapy, mental health assessment, and diagnostic evaluation across multiple levels of care. My clinical background includes work within a major hospital system, school-based mental health programs, and outpatient settings, where I have supported adolescents, young adults, and adults facing a wide range of emotional and behavioral challenges.

Throughout my career, I have worked with individuals experiencing anxiety, depression, trauma, grief and loss, relationship difficulties, family conflict, life transitions, self-esteem concerns, stress, and adjustment challenges. My experience in hospital-based mental health has strengthened my ability to conduct comprehensive assessments, develop individualized treatment plans, and help clients gain a clearer understanding of the factors contributing to their struggles.

I believe that meaningful change begins with feeling understood. My goal is to create a supportive, culturally responsive, and nonjudgmental environment where clients feel safe exploring their experiences, identifying their strengths, and working toward the life they want to build. Whether you are navigating a difficult season of life or seeking deeper personal growth, I am committed to helping you gain insight, build resilience, and achieve lasting change.

My approach to therapy is warm, collaborative, empowering, and solution-focused while remaining grounded in clinical expertise and evidence-based treatment. I believe therapy is most effective when clients feel both supported and challenged to grow. I work closely with each individual to develop a deeper understanding of their experiences, identify patterns that may be contributing to distress, and create practical strategies for meaningful change.

I draw from Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT)-informed interventions, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Motivational Interviewing, Psychodynamic Therapy, Strengths-Based Therapy, and Solution-Focused Therapy. Rather than relying on a single approach, I tailor treatment to each client's unique needs, goals, values, and life experiences.

One of my strengths as a clinician is helping clients gain clarity through thoughtful assessment and accurate diagnosis. Many people come to therapy feeling overwhelmed, stuck, or uncertain about why they are struggling. Together, we work to understand the underlying factors contributing to current challenges, strengthen coping skills, improve emotional regulation, build healthier relationships, and increase confidence in navigating life's difficulties.

My goal is not only to help clients manage symptoms but also to foster greater self-awareness, resilience, and lasting personal growth. Therapy should be a place where you feel heard, understood, empowered, and equipped with the tools needed to create meaningful and sustainable change.

Your first session is an opportunity for us to begin building a strong therapeutic relationship and develop a deeper understanding of what brings you to therapy. My goal is to create a welcoming, supportive, and nonjudgmental environment where you feel comfortable sharing your experiences at your own pace.

During our initial session, we will discuss your current concerns, personal history, strengths, relationships, and any challenges that may be impacting your emotional well-being. I will ask questions to gain a comprehensive understanding of your experiences while also providing space for you to share what feels most important. Together, we will explore your goals for therapy and begin identifying areas of focus for treatment.

Many clients come to therapy feeling overwhelmed, uncertain, or unsure where to begin. You do not need to have everything figured out before our first meeting. My role is to help you gain clarity, better understand your experiences, identify patterns that may be contributing to distress, and begin developing a path forward.

By the end of our first session, you can expect to leave with a clearer understanding of how we may work together, initial treatment goals, and a plan tailored to your unique needs and priorities.