Virtual Trauma and Relationship Therapy in Texas
Also providing therapy across NY virtually and in person in NYC as well as virtual therapy across Florida.
Trauma can shape the patterns we develop to protect ourselves. Therapy can help us understand these patterns and relate to ourselves and others in new ways.
Trauma can be about what happened and what didn't happen..
When people think about trauma, they often think about something painful that happened to them caused by something or someone. These experiences are often described as trauma by commission. But trauma can also develop from what was missing.
Trauma by omission refers to the harm that can result when important emotional or physical needs go unmet (what was supposed to happen but didn’t happen), particularly when we depend on others for care, safety, and connection. This might look like growing up without comfort when you were upset, having your feelings dismissed, not receiving protection when you needed it, or feeling that you had to manage difficult emotions on your own. Sometimes, the effects of trauma come not from what someone did to you, but from what they consistently failed to provide.
Patterns that may develop in response to trauma by commission or omission include:
Second-guessing yourself and others. You question your decisions, emotions, or reactions and struggle to feel safe in relationships.
Minimizing your own needs. You struggle to recognize what you need, downplay your feelings, worry about being too much, or put others first.
Hiding or suppressing your emotions. You keep your feelings to yourself, you push emotions away, or try to manage everything on your own.
Keeping others at a distance. You find it difficult to let people in, trust others, or feel comfortable being vulnerable.
Disconnecting in vulnerable moments. You feel detached or emotionally distant during conversations, intimacy, or conflict.
Taking responsibility for others' feelings. You struggle to separate your own needs and emotions from the expectations and feelings of those around you.
Therapy can help you begin to:
✔ Make sense of the experiences that have shaped how you see yourself and relate to others.
✔ Recognize when old fears, expectations, or protective patterns are influencing your choices.
✔ Feel more comfortable identifying your needs and allowing yourself to take them seriously.
✔ Navigate moments of tension, uncertainty, and disconnection without losing yourself in the process.
✔ Develop relationships that feel more reciprocal, emotionally safe, and fulfilling.
✔ Create a life that reflects who you are today rather than who you learned you needed to be.
Therapy Services 
Sometimes, experiences from our past show up in ways we don't immediately recognize. They can influence how we see ourselves, navigate relationships, respond to stress, and move through the world. In therapy, we'll begin to understand these responses with curiosity rather than judgment. Together, we'll create space to explore your experiences at a pace that feels right for you, strengthen your connection to yourself, and develop new ways of feeling safe, supported, and present in your life.
Trauma and PTSD
Loss can change the way you experience the world, your relationships, and even your sense of who you are. You may find yourself moving between sadness, anger, confusion, numbness, or emotions that are difficult to put into words. Therapy offers a place where you don't have to make sense of everything right away or move through grief on anyone else's timeline. Together, we'll make space for whatever comes up, honor the significance of your loss, and explore what it means to carry it while continuing to live a meaningful life.
Grief Therapy
You deserve relationships where you don't have to explain, minimize, or hide parts of who you are. Yet, navigating identity, family dynamics, and relationships can sometimes leave you questioning where you belong or how much of yourself feels safe to share. Therapy can be a space to explore these experiences openly, without judgment or assumptions. Together, we'll make room for the complexities of your story, strengthen your relationship with yourself, and help you feel more comfortable showing up as your whole self.
LGBTQI+ Therapy
Have you ever felt like different parts of you want completely different things? One part may want closeness while another pulls away. You might find yourself being overly critical, shutting down, people-pleasing, or struggling to let your guard down, even when you want something different. In IFS therapy, we'll get curious about these seemingly conflicting parts of yourself, understanding how they developed and what they may be trying to protect. Rather than fighting against these parts, we'll work toward building a more compassionate relationship with yourself, so you can respond to life with greater flexibility, confidence, and self-trust.
IFS Therapy
Relationships can bring out parts of ourselves that are difficult to understand, especially when we feel hurt, misunderstood, or disconnected from the person we love. You may find yourselves having the same arguments, struggling to communicate what you really need, or feeling increasingly distant despite wanting to feel close. Therapy offers an opportunity to slow these moments down, understand what's happening beneath the surface, and begin relating to one another differently. Together, we'll work toward creating more space for vulnerability, understanding, and meaningful connection.
Couples Therapy
Family Therapy
Family relationships can be some of our most meaningful connections, but they can also bring up complicated emotions, longstanding tensions, and patterns that are difficult to change. You may find yourselves having the same disagreements, struggling to understand one another, or feeling like everyone is speaking but no one is really being heard. Therapy creates an opportunity to slow down these interactions, understand each person's experience, and begin approaching one another differently. Together, we'll work toward building relationships with more openness, empathy, and room for everyone to feel understood.
Meet your Trauma and Relationship Therapists in NYC
Alexandra Askenazi Marcus
She/her/ella
LMHC-D, LPC.
As an EMDRIA-certified and IFS/IFIO-informed therapist, I work with individuals and couples navigating trauma, loss, and relationship challenges. I'm passionate about helping people understand themselves more deeply, move beyond familiar patterns, and develop a stronger sense of self-trust and connection.
I offer LGBTQ+ affirming care and welcome clients exploring their identity, sexuality, and relationships. Therapy is available in both English and Spanish.
I strive to create a welcoming, nonjudgmental space where you can explore your experiences, feel genuinely understood, and move toward meaningful change.
When I'm not working, I enjoy spending time with dogs, eating chocolate, doing pilates, dancing, reading, and learning new languages.
I'd love to hear your story. Reach out for a free consultation!More Team Members
Coming soon…
Frequently Asked Questions
Still have questions?
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Out fee is $220 for individual therapy and $275 for couples and family therapy.
We provide sliding scales depending on financial needs and BIPOC or LGBTQIA+ clients will be prioritized. -
We are currently out of network providers. We provide super bills for clients paying out of pocket, getting reimbursed through their work, or using their out-of-network insurance benefits (if you are unsure if you have these, you can ask your insurance directly). We also provide sliding scales depending on financial needs.
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Yes! At the moment we are only in person in NYC (The office is located in the Upper West Side of Manhattan). We also offer virtual therapy throughout New York State, Florida, and Texas.
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You can schedule a free 15-minute consultation call by clicking here!
During our call, we’ll talk about what’s bringing you to therapy, I’ll answer any questions you may have about the process, and we’ll discuss scheduling and other logistics to determine what feels like the right next step for you.
We look forward to connecting with you!
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Individual sessions are typically 45–55 minutes once a week, depending on what works best for clients and the approach we’re using.
Couples and family sessions are 60 minutes and typically meet weekly at first, with sessions becoming less frequent as needed and as progress is made.
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Starting therapy can feel vulnerable, especially when you’re meeting someone new and sharing parts of your life that may be difficult to put into words. We’ll take time to get to know one another, understand what’s been bringing you in, and begin to identify what you’re hoping will feel different. You don’t need to come in knowing exactly what you need or where to start, we’ll figure that out together. As we move forward, we’ll continue to check in about what feels helpful, what doesn’t, and how we can make therapy work best for you.