My therapeutic style is rooted in psychodynamic therapy — an approach that looks beneath the surface of immediate concerns to understand the deeper patterns shaping your life. Rather than focusing only on short-term relief, this work creates space to explore the roots of what feels difficult or stuck. By paying attention to unconscious processes, early experiences, and the personal narratives you carry, we begin to make sense of the stories that have shaped you. This kind of exploration not only addresses present challenges, but also supports meaningful, lasting change.
Therapy is not one-size-fits-all. Each person brings a unique history, identity, and set of experiences that shape how they move through the world. Our work together will be tailored to you — your pace, your goals, and what feels most important to explore.
Anxiety and depression can appear when we feel stuck in our lives — struggling with choices, relationships, or patterns that seem hard to change. In many ways, they are two sides of the same coin: anxiety can arise when we anticipate difficulty or threat, while depression can emerge when we feel weighed down, stuck, or unable to act.
These feelings are not just “symptoms” to be managed; they are signals that something deeper is going on. They often reflect underlying conflicts, unmet needs, or unprocessed experiences that have yet to be fully understood or given language. Therapy offers a space to not only to reduce symptoms to engage more meaningfully in life, but to explore these patterns, to understand what your mind and body are trying to communicate, and to begin making meaning of the experiences that shape how you feel and act.
Sometimes we find ourselves in relationships that feel unfulfilling or draining. We might notice patterns such as losing ourselves in connection, repeating the same dynamics, or attracting people who aren’t right for us. These patterns often reflect deeper themes in how we relate to ourselves and others.
In therapy, we explore these relational patterns, uncovering the underlying beliefs, past experiences, and emotional habits that shape them. By gaining insight into how you connect, communicate, and respond, you can begin to make different choices, build healthier boundaries, and cultivate relationships that feel more authentic and sustaining.
If you live with chronic illness or a medical disability, you may feel deeply alone in ways that are hard to explain. You might feel misunderstood by doctors, family, or even previous therapists, and expected to push through or minimize how much your health shapes your life. Many come to therapy feeling isolated, grieving changes in identity or independence, and exhausted from self-advocacy.
Having a physical disability myself, I have a deep understanding of how medical challenges can affect your sense of self, relationships, and emotional well-being. Therapy is a chance to explore the grief, anger, fear, identity shifts, and loneliness that can emerge, while examining relational patterns and unconscious processes specific to the disability experience that can shape how you move through the world.
Sometimes we endure moments in life that deeply threaten our sense of safety in the world. Events like such can overwhelm our ability to cope, leaving a lasting mark on how we feel, think, and relate to others.
In therapy, we create a safe space to approach these memories gradually and with care. By giving language to what has been unspoken or difficult to process, therapy helps integrate these experiences, supporting healing, resilience, and a greater sense of agency in your life.
Questions around identity can feel confusing, isolating, or even painful. They often raise larger existential questions: Who am I in this world? Where do I belong? What can feel heavy or paralyzing can also become an opportunity for deep, meaningful change — a chance to know ourselves more fully or to express ourselves in new ways.
This work may involve exploring how you navigate aspects of disability, gender, race, sexuality, cultural background, or personal values — and how these intersect with your relationships and life choices. In therapy, we examine who you are beneath external expectations and past experiences. By exploring the narratives you’ve internalized, the roles you’ve adopted, and the ways you relate to yourself and others, we work toward greater clarity, self-acceptance, and alignment with the life you want to live.
How Therapy Works
Free 15-minute consult
I offer a complimentary 15-minute phone or video consultation to see if we’re a good fit. This is an opportunity to ask questions and learn more about my approach before deciding to begin therapy.
60-minute intake session
Our intake session is a thoughtful first conversation about what has led you to seek therapy at this time. We’ll discuss your current concerns, your history with therapy, and the broader landscape of your life. It’s also a chance to consider whether this feels like the right therapeutic fit. If so, we’ll establish an ongoing therapy agreement and begin the work together.
Ongoing Psychotherapy
From there, we’ll meet for regular 45- or 55-minute sessions once or twice weekly. Whether we’re working through present challenges, reflecting on past experiences, or exploring patterns that shape your life, therapy offers space for steady, meaningful change.
Where to begin?
I am able to work with adults residing in New York State. I offer sessions at SelfWorks, either virtually through google-meet or in-person at our midtown office.
Frequently Asked Questions
Therapy is for anyone seeking a deeper understanding of themselves and their relationships. Therapy is for those who sense that something in their life needs attention — even if it’s hard to put into words. You may be feeling stuck, overwhelmed, or uncertain about how to move forward. You might notice recurring patterns in your relationships, difficulty navigating life transitions, or lingering effects of earlier experiences. This work is especially suited for those who are curious about their inner world and open to a thoughtful, ongoing process that unfolds over time.
Meaningful change takes time. Early in therapy, you may experience a sense of relief simply from having space to speak openly; distress may temporarily ease. But deeper, more lasting change unfolds gradually as we begin to understand the roots of what brought you here.
Therapy can be challenging. Looking closely at long-standing patterns or painful experiences can feel vulnerable or uncomfortable. Paradoxically, that discomfort is often a sign that something important is shifting. Growth tends to show up not only as feeling better, but as responding differently to life events. Maybe you notice greater clarity, increased self-understanding, new choices in relationships, or a deeper sense of steadiness in your emotional life. These factors can be subtle, but are at the heart of meaningful change.
SelfWorks is primarily an out-of-network provider. If your health insurance plan includes out-of-network benefits, you may be eligible for reimbursement. You would pay SelfWorks directly at the time of service, and your insurance company may reimburse approximately 30–70% of the session fee, depending on your specific plan.
Standard fees are $300 for 45-minute sessions and $360 for 55-minute sessions. With out-of-network reimbursement, your actual out-of-pocket cost can be significantly lower.
SelfWorks is in-network with Northwell Health and the student insurance plan offered through Pratt University.
Nina Bakoyiannis, PhD 