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SO Portrait of Simona Ostrow

Simona Ostrow

Hopeful strategies for managing mood and life transitions

LMHC New York

Experience
20 years in practice
Focus areas
Stress, Anxiety, Career, Bipolar
Approaches
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT)
Languages
English
Continue with Simona

About Simona

Simona Ostrow is a New York licensed mental health counselor (LMHC) who focuses on helping people manage stress, anxiety, depression, bipolar disorder, career concerns, and major life transitions.

Background and approach

With two decades of clinical experience, she combines practical strategies and compassionate support to help clients navigate mood disorders, workplace challenges, caregiver stress, chronic illness, and feelings of isolation or loneliness. Her approach emphasizes collaborative problem solving and building on each person’s strengths.

She uses evidence-informed methods including Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) to teach skills for emotion regulation, healthier thinking patterns, improved communication, and better coping with chronic pain or life changes. Simona aims to help clients clarify life purpose, repair strained relationships through forgiveness work, and reduce social anxiety and phobic avoidance.

Simona communicates availability clearly and typically checks messages multiple times per day Monday through Thursday, noting there can be occasional delays due to other professional or personal responsibilities. Her practice setting in New York offers multiple session formats to accommodate differing schedules and needs.

Evidence-Informed Approaches for Online Care



Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) focuses on identifying and changing unhelpful thoughts and behaviors to reduce symptoms like anxiety and depression. It uses structured exercises and practical homework to build skills for managing mood and improving daily functioning.

Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) teaches emotion regulation, distress tolerance, and interpersonal effectiveness skills. It can be particularly useful for people who struggle with intense emotions, relationship conflicts, or recurring patterns of impulsive behavior.

Finding the right approach is a collaborative process. The therapist will work with each client to explore which methods align with their needs, goals, and personal preferences, and then adapt techniques as therapy progresses to better fit the client’s situation.

Online therapy through video calls, phone sessions, live chat, or text-based messaging makes it easier to access consistent support from home or work. These formats offer flexibility for busy schedules, allow continuity of care when life becomes complicated, and provide multiple ways to practice skills between sessions with a licensed professional.

Frequently asked questions

What concerns does this therapist commonly address?
She supports people facing stress, anxiety, depression, bipolar disorder, career challenges, and coping with life changes, along with related focus areas like caregiver stress, chronic illness, and workplace issues.
How would you describe the therapeutic style and approach?
The style is collaborative and skills-focused, using evidence-informed tools to help clients change unhelpful thoughts, regulate emotions, and build practical coping strategies.
What is the therapist's clinical background?
She brings 20 years of professional experience working with mood disorders, communication problems, PTSD, social anxiety, and issues related to life purpose and self-love.
Where is the therapist licensed and located?
The clinician holds the LMHC credential with license number NY LMHC 002190 and practices in New York.
Which languages are available for sessions?
Sessions are offered in English for clients within the stated location and availability.
What session formats are offered?
Clients can meet through video calls, phone sessions, live chat, or text-based messaging depending on scheduling and preference.
How are fees and payment handled?
Cost varies with location and therapist availability; sessions are provided through a subscription model that can be canceled at any time.
What are the steps to begin working together?
Start by selecting the Start Therapy button, completing a short matching questionnaire, and then schedule sessions according to the therapist's availability.

Areas of expertise

Primary focus

Stress, AnxietyCareer difficultiesBipolar disorderDepressionCoping with life changes

Additional focus areas

Caregiver issues and stressChronic pain, illness, and disabilityCommunication problemsForgivenessIsolation / lonelinessLife purposeMood disordersPost-traumatic stressSelf-loveSocial anxiety and phobiaWomen's issuesWorkplace issues

Therapeutic approaches

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT)

Experience

20+ years

Licensed

New York

Languages

English