Trauma-Informed Therapy, Fully Virtual in NY & NJ
Whatever happened, you get to heal at your own pace, with someone trained to hold the whole story.
Let's Get StartedFill out a quick form, we'll handle the insurance stuff and match you with someone great.
However You Got Here
There's no single reason people look into trauma-informed support. Here are a few of the most common ones.
Something happened that still lingers
Recently or a long time ago, it still shows up.
You freeze up in certain situations
Your body reacts before your mind catches up.
A provider suggested trauma-informed care
Someone recognized this needed a specific kind of support.
You're ready to stop carrying it alone
Not to forget it, just to stop letting it run the show.
Whatever your reason, you're in the right place.
Does This Sound Like You?
Trauma can show up in a lot of ways. Here's some of what we help with:
Memories that show up uninvited
Feeling on guard, even when nothing's wrong
Avoiding people, places, or reminders
Trouble trusting or feeling safe
Numbness or feeling disconnected from yourself
Trouble sleeping or nightmares
Big reactions to small triggers
A past that keeps showing up in the present
Click anything that sounds familiar. There's no wrong answer.
Let's Get StartedGetting Started Is Easy
No phone tag, no confusion, no "please hold." Just three simple steps.
Fill out a quick form
Tell us what's going on and your goals. Takes like 2 minutes.
No account, no login required.
We handle the insurance part
We figure out what's covered so you don't have to sit on hold with your insurance company. You're welcome.
We'll follow up before your first session.
Start your sessions
Get matched with a therapist and hop on from your couch, home office, or parked car. We don't judge.
Often as soon as the same day, once insurance is confirmed.
That's literally what we're here for. Fill out the form with whatever you know, even if that's not much, and we'll help you figure out the rest.
Why Clients Choose Avena
Therapy shouldn't cost you an arm and a leg. We even get insurance coverage for couples therapy. Our team checks your specific benefits before your first session so you know exactly where you stand. Don't see your plan listed? Reach out anyway, we also work with out-of-network benefits and offer self-pay and sliding-scale options.
Diverse, well-trained, and genuinely good at what they do. Their passion for the work builds lasting, long-term relationships with clients.
HIPAA-compliant everything. Your secrets are safe with us. (Literally.)
We skip the bureaucracy and get you started ASAP.
Whatever you're carrying, you don't have to figure it out on your own.
Insurance Shouldn't Be the Reason You Wait
Therapy is healthcare, and healthcare should be within reach. We're in-network with UnitedHealthcare, Aetna, and BlueCross BlueShield, with more plans added regularly.
Heads up: UnitedHealthcare's network also includes Optum, Oscar, Oxford, and UMR plans, so if your card shows one of those names, there's a good chance you're already covered.
Check Your CoverageDon't see your plan? Reach out, we work with most major providers.
Don't Just Take Our Word For It
Names changed because, you know, therapy.
The Humans Behind Avena
Every therapist on our team is licensed and ready to match with what you're carrying. Hover or tap a card for a quick look at who they are.
Jolie Avena, PsyD
Owner & Clinical Director — NY & NJ
Jolie Avena, PsyD
Dr. Avena works from a psychodynamic, mindfulness-informed approach with couples and individuals navigating trauma, anxiety, identity, and family stress.
Nicole Livingston, PhD
Clinical Psychologist — NJ
Nicole Livingston, PhD
With over 20 years of experience, Dr. Livingston supports clients through anxiety, depression, ADHD, and life transitions with a person-centered, collaborative approach.
Dr. Farrah Tassy
Postdoctoral Psychology Resident — NY
Dr. Farrah Tassy
Dr. Farrah provides telehealth therapy for children, teens, and adults, drawing on CBT and trauma-focused care for depression, anxiety, and gender identity concerns.
Dr. Ashley McCall
Postdoctoral Psychology Resident — NY & NJ
Dr. Ashley McCall
Dr. McCall works with older adolescents, couples, and adults facing anxiety, depression, trauma, and major life transitions, blending CBT, ACT, and solution-focused therapy.
Andrene Spencer-Lovejoy, Psy.D
Clinical Psychologist — NY
Andrene Spencer-Lovejoy, Psy.D
Dr. Spencer-Lovejoy specializes in identity development, life transitions, and relationship concerns, and integrates clients' spiritual beliefs into treatment when it matters to them.
Jelena Prosevski, LMSW
Licensed Master Social Worker
Jelena Prosevski, LMSW
Jelena holds space for clients navigating trauma, identity, and demanding family dynamics, working with individuals, couples, and groups with warmth and mindfulness.
Ivelisses Cooke, LCSW
Licensed Clinical Social Worker — NY & NJ
Ivelisses Cooke, LCSW
Ivelisses meets clients where they are, working with personality disorders, substance use, LGBTQIA+ focused care, and trauma using a trauma-informed, integrative approach.
Ariana Chotkowski, LMHC-D
Licensed Mental Health Counselor — NY
Ariana Chotkowski, LMHC-D
Ariana supports clients working through anxiety, depression, and complex relationships, blending psychodynamic, trauma-informed, and CBT techniques.
Jessica Zur-Linden, LCSW
Licensed Clinical Social Worker — NY
Jessica Zur-Linden, LCSW
Jessica brings a conversational, trauma-informed style to anxiety, depression, LGBTQIA+ clients, and major life transitions, especially for those in creative careers.
Julie Figliolia, LCSW
Licensed Clinical Social Worker — NJ
Julie Figliolia, LCSW
With over 16 years of experience, Julie works with individuals, couples, and families on relationship issues, trauma, grief, and anxiety with a warm, interactive style.
Nada Simic, LMSW
Licensed Master of Social Work — NY & NJ
Nada Simic, LMSW
Nada works from a psychodynamic and solution-focused lens with young adults and adults on trauma, relationship issues, depression, and anxiety.
Laila Elashaal, LMHC
Licensed Mental Health Counselor — NY
Laila Elashaal, LMHC
Laila's eclectic, modern style blends psychodynamic, CBT, and ACT approaches with humor and radical acceptance to work through anxiety, trauma, and identity concerns.
Dr. Janna Hackshaw
Postdoctoral in Psychology
Dr. Janna Hackshaw
Janna works from a CBT foundation with clients navigating trauma, life transitions, depression, and anxiety, tailoring sessions to each person's identity and goals.
Chae Reid
Licensed Associate Counselor — NJ
Chae Reid
Chae, an Air Force veteran and registered dance/movement therapist, brings trauma-informed, somatic care to clients working through trauma, ADHD, and major life transitions.
Victoria Shapiro, MHC-LP
Mental Health Counselor — NY
Victoria Shapiro, MHC-LP
Victoria supports individuals and couples working through relationship patterns and communication, blending the Gottman Method, CBT, and ACT into practical, personalized care.
Full bios, credentials, and booking links for every therapist.
FAQs
No. You set the pace. Some clients want to dive in, others need time to build trust first. Both are okay.
It means your therapist is trained to recognize how trauma affects the body and mind, and to move at a pace that keeps you feeling safe throughout.
No. Trauma can come from a single event or from things that built up over time. If something still affects how you feel or function, it's worth talking about.
Your therapist will check in with you and adjust as needed. Nothing moves faster than what feels manageable for you.
Yes. Many clients find it easier to feel safe and grounded in their own space rather than an unfamiliar office.
We're in-network with UnitedHealthcare (which also covers Optum, Oscar, Oxford, and UMR plans), Aetna, and BlueCross BlueShield, with more plans added regularly. Fill out our quick form and we'll check your specific benefits so you know exactly what's covered before your first session.
Ready When You Are
Fill this out and we'll handle the rest. Zero commitment, just the first step toward feeling better.
What happens next
- Fill out a quick form. Takes about two minutes.
- We check your insurance and handle the details.
- We match you with a therapist and get you scheduled.
No pressure, no obligation, just hitting "submit" kicks off the matching and insurance check.
Tell us a bit about you
Phone
212-906-4495
therapy@avenapsych.com
Mailing Address
99 Wall Street #4424 New York, NY 10005