Find a Therapist in Hartsdale, NY

My approach in therapy is collaborative, supportive, and goal oriented.

To help me determine the best way I can help you, I want to get to know you from all angles, using a biopsychosocial approach, to avoid a cookie-cutter treatment plan. You are a unique individual with unique needs . Your physical health, relationships, family background, finances, academic andor occupational functioning, and significant life events, play a part in how you're feeling right now. I want to understand all these factors first before I come up with my treatment recommendations. I am not a paternalistic therapist by any means ( though some people may like that). We shall work together on our common goals of reducing your distress and promoting your good health and emotional well-being.

My approach is the product of over a decade of experience working collaboratively with clients in an environment of non-judgement. I believe in taking an introspective and collaborative approach when working with adults and adolescents. I believe this kind of treatment approach allows the patients to recognize their own ability to heal based on their own experiences and judgement. Every day we bear the burden of deep emotional wounds and pain that can often cause us to become disillusioned with ourselves, others and the world at large. Avoiding these struggles is a natural way of coping for most of us. But despite the temporary relief it brings, coping in this way often maintains unhealthy and irrational beliefs, negative feelings, and unproductive, or even destructive, behaviors. I believe that the therapeutic relationship is the healing factor and work to be authentic, transparent as well as professional. By providing a safe, supportive and compassionate environment, my clients can find the strength to explore and process their issues without judgement, being stigmatized or pathologized. Encouraging and empowering clients to turn towards and explore these areas of difficulty in their lives can lead to lasting change and new ways to relate to themselves, others and the world.

Taking the first step towards therapy is a courageous choice, and I'm here to support you on your journey to self-improvement. I specialize in helping adults navigate challenges like depression, anxiety, substance use disorders, relationship issues, and anger. Our goal when working together is to foster meaningful change that enhances your self-awareness and growth. Together, we'll work on emotional regulation and reducing distress, empowering you to become your best self. In our sessions, we'll develop personalized coping strategies tailored to your needs, focusing on mental health, boosting self-esteem, and unlocking your potential. With the insights and tools you gain, you'll be empowered to live your best life. My passion is seeing clients grow and heal through our therapeutic relationship. I strive to create a safe, nurturing, and judgment-free environment where we can explore your needs and support lasting change.

I work with people who want to understand the connections between past experiences and patterns in their current lives to have more satisfying relationships. The people I work with want to feel connected to others, repair past relationships, participate in corrective and reparatory experiences, understand their feelings, actions, and thoughts, and be at peace with themselves.

In my practice we primarily utilize a specialized Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) program, empowering our clients with coping skills to break down the artificial walls and boundaries that have formed throughout their lives. The goal is to witness these individuals soar in the world, experiencing peace and joy instead of anxiety and depression. Additionally, we incorporates hypnosis and age regression techniques, exploring childhood events, and past life regression techniques to delve deep into their unconsciousness. These methods help uncover their true calling, talents, address traumas, phobias, and provide answers to the various challenges they face. We also use uses dramapsychodrama techniques as well to help clients to achieve their therapeutic goals through more creative process. With a belief that many individuals who experience excessive anxiety, fear, and depression possess creative, sensitive, and deep personalities, Inna aims to assist them in navigating their “creative” minds, obsessive thoughts, and emotions. Often working with perfectionists, empaths, and sensitive individuals, she affectionately refers to them as “birds” who struggle with adjusting to the material world and occasionally feel like outsiders. Even if individuals do not have anxiety or panic disorders, anyone seeking personal growth, increased effectiveness in different areas of life, stress management skills, or self-exploration can benefit from these methods and techniques.I love seeing progress and movement forward when i work with my individual clients or couples. I enjoy providing people with the life and relationship skills which they would carry out of my office and implement them in their real lives either to cope with depressive or anxiety provoking feelings, or achieving new professional successes, or creating the relationship or sexual life of their dreams. I totally believe in following your bliss in life and a sense of fulfillment that comes with it. In my counseling approach I'm rather directive with couples and doing psychosexual therapy. I give specific instructions and homework to expedite achieving your goals using Imago, EFT and other methods. During individual therapy, I taylor my approach to each client in particular, and you could have a taste of REBT, Focusing, Gestalt Therapies and more. When I treat sexual trauma, or any history of abuse, I use such evidenced based techniques as CPT or STAIR often.

I believe that we are all meant to live happy lives, full of meaning. I feel strongly that the adversities we face in our lifetime can serve us well by providing us with the opportunity to gain a higher plain of purpose. My passion and excitement for providing psychotherapy stem from my desire to help individuals discover how they can use their negative experiences in a way that benefits their lives.

You might feel stuck, overwhelmed, or disconnected- struggling with patterns in your life or relationships that seem impossible to break. Whether you're navigating anxiety, relationship challenges, grief, major life transitions, or everyday challenges, you don’t have to go through them alone. I’m here to help. I believe healing happens through connection, understanding, and intentional change. In our work together, we’ll explore the thoughts, emotions, and experiences that may be holding you back. My approach is collaborative and active—I don’t just listen; I help you make sense of your struggles and develop new ways of responding to them. We’ll focus on strengthening your emotional resilience, improving communication and intimacy in your relationships, and breaking free from reactive or self-defeating cycles. I integrate different therapeutic techniques to support your growth, always working from a strength-based perspective that empowers you to move forward with confidence. There’s no one-size-fits-all approach to therapy. I tailor our sessions to your unique needs, drawing from evidence-based techniques that promote lasting change. I specialize in working with individuals and couples facing relationship struggles, family dynamic issues, anxiety, depression, grief, life transitions, trauma, chronic illness, and intimacy-related concerns. As a Certified Clinical Trauma Professional, I also integrate trauma-informed care for those healing from past wounds. Taking the first step can feel daunting, but you don’t have to do it alone. I’m here to support you in creating a more fulfilling, connected, and authentic life.

Available Sundays and 5pm and 6pm during weekdays. Do you just want to get better or do you want to thrive? I have been working in behavioral health for 16 years, and it has been a very rewarding experience. I have an energetic and enthusiastic approach and stay up-to-date with the latest information to provide the best care possible. I am well versed in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Dialectical Behavior Therapy, Psychodynamic Therapy, and Positive Psychology (the study of optimizing functionality). I am originally from New York, so I have had the opportunity to gain experience at reputable institutions such as New York Presbyterian Hospital and Montefiore Health System. In California, I was the Director of the Behavioral Health Department at Salinas Valley Health from 2020 to 2024. I have worked with children, adolescents, and adults with almost all types of diagnoses. I have many years of experience helping people address and overcome depression, anxiety, sports performance, borderline personality disorder, trauma, relationship issues, work stress, grief, and difficult life transitions. Depending on what you would like to get out of therapy, we may focus on getting to the root cause(s), improve communication skills, adapt to situations effectively, explore coping skills, and modify behavior. I earned my BA in Psychology from Boston College and my Master of Social Work from Fordham University. I also earned my MBA in Healthcare Administration in 2019. Outside of work, I enjoy boxing, playing golf, yoga, lifting weights, and going to the beach! What to expect? The first appointment is a thorough interview to get to know you. I will ask about upbringing, childhood, family, education, occupation, hobbies, social life, and psychiatric history. In follow-up sessions, we develop a strategy to address your goals. The therapy approach is contingent on the goals. Contact me to make an appointment! I look forward to working with you!

I am truly passionate about supporting my clients in their process to gain deeper self-understanding and to foster personal growth through self-compassion. I work from a place of genuine curiosity about my client’s lives and relationships, respecting each person’s path as unique. I take a warm, supportive, and collaborative approach, using the information you present (or, in some cases, avoid) to help you make sense of the thoughts, feelings, and behaviors that may undermine your relationships and productivity. Though I am trained in a variety of therapies, I primarily work from a psychodynamic and cognitive-behavioral perspective. I may also draw upon other complementary practical approaches, such as mindfulness skills based on your needs and goals. Whether you are holding on to limiting beliefs or old narratives that no longer apply, whether you are seeking more joy in life or yearning for more fulfilling relationships, embarking on the journey of self-discovery with a compassionate and accepting other is a powerful first step. I look forward to joining you on that journey.

Dawn M. Hughes, Ph.D., ABPP, is a clinical and forensic psychologist whose private practice is based in New York City. Her area of expertise involves helping people who have experienced interpersonal violence, trauma, and anxiety issues. She has provided effective treatment for traumatic stress, sexual assault, rape, intimate partner violence, childhood abuse, and other adverse issues for more than 20 years. Dr. Hughes holds a faculty appointment as a Clinical Assistant Professor of Psychology at New York-PresbyterianWeill Cornell Medical Center, was President of the Women's Mental Health Consortium from 2009 to 2017, was a founding member of the Trauma Psychology Division of the American Psychological Association, and is a member of several other trauma and professional organizations. Dr. Hughes received certification in forensic psychology from the American Board of Professional Psychology in 2005 and has been qualified as an expert witness in State and Federal Courts in several states.

Do you want to feel greater overall satisfaction in your relationships with both yourself and others? Imagine starting and ending your day feeling confident, content, and focused. My main treatment goal is to help you acquire positive coping skills that you can take with you so that you do not need to remain in therapy forever. I am a licensed Marriage and Family Therapist with eight years of experience providing individual, family, couple, and group therapy to children, adolescents, and adults. I specialize in eating disorders, depression, anxiety, self-harm, and family conflict. I have worked for a leading eating disorder treatment center in the residential, partial hospitalization, and intensive outpatient levels of care. I utilize a combination of cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and dialectical behavior therapy (DBT). I pride myself on creating a warm, supportive, safe environment where clients feel comfortable and work towards increased insight, growth, and positive change. I believe that you are the expert on your life and will work with you to set and achieve your goals. I look forward to working with you towards improving your life. Call or e-mail me today!