

Headway connects New Hartford residents with Aetna-covered mental health providers for flexible, affordable care. Access 8,078 providers across the region with typical copays near $30, and many offer free initial consultations to help you find the right fit for your needs.
The past is a good place to visit but certainly not a place to stay
Hi, I am Susan. I am a Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner with more than 30 years of experience in psychiatry, caring for adults with a wide range of mental health needs. I earned my BSN from Skidmore College, my MSN from Fairfield University, and I also completed training in Behavioral Sleep Medicine and adult sleep disorders at the University of Pennsylvania. Over the years, I have supported adults living with mood disorders, bipolar disorder, OCD, and ADHD, and I have also worked closely with parents and caregivers of children and adult children with special needs.
Life is a journey and you will be hard-pressed to find a completely smooth path along the way. The hard truth is that life can be filled with difficulties. However, everyone possesses inner strengths to overcome their barriers. I will assist you in bringing out these strengths and adopting healthy coping mechanisms.
Life is filled with ebbs and flows of transitions and struggles. We are constantly evolving. Life can be both beautiful & messy, and I'm humbled & honored to help you sort through it in individual and/or group counseling. Our minds & emotions uniquely shape our perception of reality. No two people have the same experience, and there is no such thing as a "one size fits all" treatment modality. We can also learn and gain from others' perspectives and connect with their support. One thing all humans universally experience is the capacity for joy and pain.
I am a dedicated Family / Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner committed to supporting my clients on their mental health journey. My approach is both warm and compassionate, creating a safe space where you feel heard, understood, and empowered. I believe in being direct and honest while maintaining a foundation of empathy and respect.
With a strong focus on holistic and personalized care, I work collaboratively with clients to develop effective treatment plans that address your unique needs, challenges, and goals. My strength lies in balancing a straightforward communication style with genuine empathy, ensuring you feel supported and motivated throughout your mental health journey.
Whether you're facing anxiety, depression, mood disorders, or life transitions, I am here to help guide you toward wellness with kindness, clarity, and understanding.
Hi! My name is Alyssa Ammerman, and I am a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) in New York. I received my Master of Social Work from the University at Buffalo in 2017 (GO BILLS!). I have had the opportunity to work, intern, and volunteer in a variety of behavioral health settings to include outpatient, critical incident debrief, residential, and vocational rehabilitation, which have led me to the opportunity to start my own practice. I have a special interest in working with first responders, parents, individuals with sleep disorders, chronic pain, and/or chronic illness, and those going through life changes. Beyond my clinical work, I enjoy volunteering as an EMT-B and firefighter, scuba diving, camping, attending concerts, and traveling.
Do you feel overwhelmed and consumed by stressful life situations? I just may be your answer to relieving some of the emotional stress experienced as I specialize in providing individual therapy. Everyone has the right to feel emotionally healthy and live stress free. I believe this begins with giving yourself permission to address those emotions/behaviors that are disrupting your life. For some of my patients their treatment includes resolving issues from their past and moving forward. My style with patients is always collaborative, interactive and motivating. I use empathic and deep listening to HEAR my patients.
I use therapeutic approaches that are appropriate for each individual situation. I’m a culturally competent therapist who is passionate about helping you understand yourself, experiences, relationships and the world you live in. My therapeutic approach includes a combination of insight-oriented psychotherapy and cognitive-behavioral therapy. Of most importance to, me is working with you to achieve your goals through counseling session. I strive to meet you “where you are” and move you forward to heal, change and grow in positive ways. I provide counseling on a wide range of issues such as anxiety, depression, trauma, relationship difficulties, educational concerns, work and life balance.
I have been a psychotherapist in private practice for about forty years. After receiving my MSW, I felt I needed additional training to work effectively with clients. I studied psychoanalysis for three years, and I received a certificate in psychoanalytic oriented psychotherapy. It was extremely helpful because of the intensive supervision I received.
I’m a board-certified Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner. I believe health is a human experience, not simply a clinical checklist. My background in traditional psychiatry has given me a strong understanding of mental health across diverse settings, grounded in evidence-based practice.
I take a compassionate, collaborative, and structured approach to care. I believe in creating a safe, nonjudgmental space where clients feel heard and supported. I work closely with each individual to develop personalized treatment plans that may include medication management and supportive therapy, always focusing on realistic and meaningful progress.
My goal is to help clients better understand their mental health, build effective coping strategies, and feel empowered in their treatment journey.



Headway makes it easy to get affordable in-network mental health care with Aetna — from finding the right therapist or psychiatrist, to understanding costs, to booking your first session.