Nina Kukoly

I'm a Licensed Clinical Social Worker based in New Jersey, and I bring something a little different to the table: I work full-time as a school social worker in an elementary school, which means I understand children, families, and school stress from the inside out. I work with clients across the full age spectrum, from toddlers to adults, using a wide range of approaches including play therapy, art therapy, CBT, trauma-focused work, and mindfulness. My sessions are warm, real, and occasionally have a sense of humor! I see clients exclusively via telehealth throughout New Jersey, which means you can access care on your schedule, from wherever you're most comfortable.

I believe therapy works best when it meets you where you actually are. For children, I lean on play therapy, art therapy, and strengths-based approaches that let kids communicate in the way that comes most naturally to them. For teens and adults, I draw on CBT, mindfulness, acceptance and commitment therapy, and solution-focused strategies depending on what fits your goals. At the core of everything is this: I'm not here to hand you a list of things to do. I'm here to help you discover what you're already capable of and build from there. Like the waves of the ocean, feelings will come and go. My job is to help you learn to ride them, not avoid them.

The first session is a conversation - not a form, not a questionnaire, not a rundown of your entire history. I'll ask questions, listen closely, and make space for whatever you bring, including uncertainty about being there at all. By the end, you'll have a clearer sense of what we'll work on together and what the path forward looks like. I want you to leave feeling heard, not assessed. If it's your child's first session, I'll spend time with your family first to understand your concerns, then meet with your child in a way that feels low-pressure and age-appropriate. We'll figure this out together.