Who are the Best Female Therapists in NYC?

As the owner and founder of Karina Diaz Therapy, I'm passionate about providing virtual psychotherapy to individuals, couples, and families in New York City.

I have over two decades of experience in treating women (and other populations), and I'm trained in several different therapy modalities. While I'm proud of my training and experience, I most enjoy cultivating warm, trusting relationships with each of my clients. You deserve to be seen and accepted for exactly who you are, and that's what I'm here to do.

We may be a good fit for each other if you're looking for:

• Anxiety therapy,

• Depression therapy,

• Support with LGBTQIA+ issues,

• Couples therapy,

• Family therapy,

• Trauma therapy,

• Therapy services provided in Spanish (I'm also proficient in French!), or

• Virtual therapy.

I offer free consultations so you can have the opportunity to ask questions and get to know me more before committing to the therapy process. I look forward to hearing from you!

While I'd be honored to help everyone, I also recognize that I may not be the best fit for each individual. Above all, it's important to me that you get the care and support that's right for you. Here, I offer my recommendations for other local female therapists in NYC if you find that my practice isn't aligned with your needs.

4 of the best female therapists in NYC

1. Vanessa Merlis, LCSW-R

Vanessa is a local female therapist who specializes in psychodynamic therapy and trauma healing. She also offers in-person sessions, so I encourage you to reach out to her if you're not interested in virtual mental health care.

• Credentials: Licensed Clinical Social Work therapist (LCSW) in New York

• License number: R073510-1

• Education: Degree from Hunter College School of Social Work

• Specialties: Trauma and PTSD, eating disorders, autism, ADHD, adoption, anxiety, depression Asperger's syndrome, behavioral issues, child therapy, developmental disorders, dissociative disorders (DID), divorce, domestic abuse and violence, EMDR, family conflict, grief, impulse control disorders, infertility, infidelity, marital and premarital counseling, mood disorders, obesity, obsessive-compulsive (OCD), parenting, relationship issues, sexual abuse

• Modalities: Attachment-based, EMDR, integrative, psychodynamic, relational, trauma-focused

2. Macarena Rufin, LCAT

Macarena is a local female art therapist and creator. Among others, she has unique specialty areas in corporate/workplace mental health as well as infant, child, and teen mental health. I encourage you to explore her services if you need support in these areas.

• Credentials: Licensed Creative Arts Therapist

• License number: 001841

• Specialties: Women’s mental health (including anxiety, depression, trauma, life transitions, and more), maternal mental health, corporate/workplace mental health and well-being workshops, childhood anxiety and depression

• Modalities: Art therapy, mindfulness-based therapy

3. Simona Shokrian, LCSW-R

Simona is another trusted colleague located in NYC. She has sixteen years of experience individuals, couples, and families. Simona is also multilingual, I highly recommend her if you are looking for sessions in Farsi or French.

• Credentials: Licensed Clinical Social Work therapist (LCSW) in New York

• License number: 076014-1

• Education: Degree from University of Southern California, Certificate from Ackerman Institute for the Family

• Specialties: Identity issues, relationship and intimacy issues, life transitions, depression, anxiety, self-esteem, college students, parenting, family conflict

• Modalities: Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), family systems, humanistic, psychodynamic, relational

4. Gabriela Portas, LCAT

Gabriela's practice specializes in art therapy and somatic experiencing therapy, making her an excellent choice if you're seeking alternative therapeutic approaches. She is passionate about the mind-body connection, and she is also multicultural and fluent in Spanish.

• Credentials: Licensed Creative Arts Therapist

• License number: 001343-1

• Education: Degree from University of Barcelona, Certificate from Somatic Experiencing Trauma Institute

• Specialties: Anxiety, mood disorders, PTSD and trauma, family therapy, parent-child relationships, acculturation and immigration issues

• Modalities: Art therapy, attachment-based, culturally sensitive, internal family systems, mindfulness-based, play therapy, psychodynamic, somatic experiencing, trauma-focused

FAQs about working with a female therapist

• Is it OK to ask for a female therapist?

  Yes! It's important that you feel comfortable with whichever counselor you choose. Having preferences about your mental health provider is completely natural. You might have preferences around the gender, race, or cultural identity of your clinician. I encourage you to honor these preferences and work with the therapist you feel most connected to.

• Should a woman get a male or female therapist?

  There is no right or wrong choice when it comes to the gender of your clinician. Some women may prefer to see a female therapist while others might not have a preference at all. It's completely up to you, so make sure to listen to and honor your needs.

• What's the difference between a therapist and a psychologist?

  A psychologist is a particular type of licensed professional who typically has a doctorate in psychology. Some psychologists provide therapy, while others primarily provide psychological assessments and others may take on academic roles.

  You may come across several types of professionals in your search for a licensed therapist. Your clinician may be a licensed marriage family therapist, licensed clinical social worker, or licensed art therapist. You may also choose to work with a pre-licensed professional who is under the supervision of a senior therapist.

  All of these therapists have master's degrees and need thousands of hours to earn licensure.

• How do I know which therapist is right for me?

  Choosing the right therapist for you is a highly personal process. During your search, I recommend looking into each therapist's experience in treating the types of issues that you're facing. I also encourage you to explore the types of therapy they offer. For example, if you're specifically looking for dialectical behavior therapy, it's important to find a provider who offers that.

  Beyond these factors, it's also important to consider your sense of connection to a particular therapist. While the relationship will be strictly professional, you will be discussing intimate parts of your life. It's vital that you feel comfortable with whoever you choose.

Take the first steps toward creating a life you love.

Whether you're looking for specific help with women's concerns, want to heal from painful past experiences, or need extra support as you navigate life transitions, I'm here to help. I'm passionate about helping women from all walks of life get the mental health care they need (and deserve).

No matter what you're going through, know that it's never too late to ask for help. Connect with me today to ask questions, learn more about the process, and begin finding relief from life's challenges. I look forward to hearing from you and hopefully supporting you on your journey!