Virtual Trauma and Relationship Therapy in NY
In person services in NYC (Upper West Side) as well as virtual therapy across Florida and Texas.
Trauma healing involves understanding how past experiences shape the way we see ourselves, relate to others, and respond to the world around us, while making space for compassion and new ways of being.
Trauma can shape how we see ourselves, relate to others, and respond to the world around us.
Both what happened to us (trauma by commission) and what was missing (trauma by omission) can influence how we learn to navigate relationships, understand and see ourselves, and protect ourselves from further hurt.
These experiences may shape us in different ways, including:
Questioning your own experiences. You may second-guess your feelings, decisions, reactions, or perceptions, making it difficult to trust yourself and feel secure in your relationships.
Prioritizing connection over your own needs. You may put others first, avoid conflict, or hide parts of yourself to maintain relationships and reduce the risk of rejection.
Feeling like you have to handle everything alone. You may keep your emotions private or struggle to ask for help because depending on others doesn't feel safe.
Protecting yourself from closeness. You may find it difficult to trust others, be vulnerable, or let people get close for fear of being hurt or disappointed.
Withdrawing when emotions feel overwhelming. You may feel disconnected from your emotions or pull away during conflict, intimacy, or situations where you feel vulnerable.
Feeling responsible for others' emotions. You may closely monitor others' moods, try to manage their feelings, or adjust your behavior to keep the peace and preserve connection.
It is possible to move toward a life where you can:
✔ Stop questioning every feeling, reaction, or decision and begin trusting yourself.
✔ Say what you mean, ask for what you need, and feel comfortable taking up space.
✔ Understand why certain situations trigger you and have more choices in how you respond.
✔ Stop repeating the same relationship dynamics that leave you feeling hurt, frustrated, or disconnected.
✔ Build close relationships without losing sight of who you are, ignoring your own needs, or feeling pressured to be someone you're not.
✔ Build connections where you can be fully yourself, feel genuinely understood, and experience the kind of intimacy you've been wanting.
Therapy Services 
Not everything we carry from the past is easy to put into words. Sometimes it shows up as feeling on edge, shutting down, struggling to trust, or reacting in ways that don't quite make sense to us. Therapy offers an opportunity to understand what is happening beneath the surface. We'll work together to make sense of what you've been carrying, reconnect with the parts of yourself that may feel lost or disconnected, and create new experiences of safety, trust, and connection.
Trauma and PTSD
You don't need to have the right words for what you're going through, and you certainly don't need to be grieving in a particular way. Maybe you're struggling to accept what happened, feeling disconnected from others, or wondering how to move forward when life no longer looks the way you imagined. Whatever your experience looks like, therapy can give you room to explore it without pressure to fix, rush, or minimize your feelings. Together, we'll work toward understanding what this loss means to you and find ways to reconnect with yourself, your relationships, and the parts of life that still hold meaning.
Grief Therapy
Your identity is not something you need to justify, explain, or figure out on anyone else's timeline. Therapy should be a place where you can bring all of who you are without worrying about being judged, misunderstood, or made to feel like you need to fit into a particular box. Whether you're exploring your identity, navigating relationships, working through family challenges, or making sense of past experiences, we'll focus on what matters to you.
LGBTQI+ Therapy
Maybe you have a hard time trusting yourself, find yourself getting in your own way, or feel caught between what you want and what you're afraid might happen. These internal struggles aren't random. Often, different parts of us have developed their own ways of navigating difficult experiences, relationships, and emotions. IFS therapy helps us understand these different parts, explore what they're carrying, what they're afraid of, and what might help them feel less alone, allowing you to make choices that feel more intentional and aligned with who you want to be.
IFS Therapy
When relationship patterns become familiar, it's easy to get caught in cycles of defensiveness, withdrawal, frustration, or resentment without knowing how to find your way back to each other. Therapy can help you understand why these dynamics keep happening and what each of you needs to feel closer. Together, we'll work on creating new ways of navigating difficult conversations, expressing yourselves honestly, and building the kind of relationship you both want to be in.
Couples Therapy
Family Therapy
Sometimes families get caught in cycles that leave everyone feeling frustrated, misunderstood, or disconnected. You might find it difficult to have honest conversations, navigate differences, or move past hurt without falling into familiar arguments. Family therapy offers a chance to step outside these patterns and understand what's happening between you. Together, we'll work on expressing what isn't being said, listening to one another differently, and creating relationships that feel more supportive, respectful, and meaningful.
Meet your Trauma and Relationship Therapists in NYC
Alexandra Askenazi Marcus
(LMHC & LPC)
She/her/ella
I'm an EMDRIA-certified, IFS/IFIO-informed trauma and relationship therapist who helps people reconnect with themselves and build healthier, more meaningful relationships. My work focuses on understanding the patterns shaped by past experiences, rebuilding self-trust, and helping you feel more confident in your needs, emotions, choices, and relationships.
I'm passionate about LGBTQ+ affirming care and welcome individuals, couples, and families looking to improve their relationship dynamics. I provide therapy in both English and Spanish.
I believe healing happens through connection. My goal is to create a space where you feel accepted, understood, and free to show up as your whole self.
Outside the therapy room, I love dogs, chocolate, pilates, dancing, learning languages, reading, and discovering new songs to play on repeat.
If this resonates, I'd love to connect! Reach out for a free consultation.More Team Members
Coming soon…
Frequently Asked Questions
FAQ
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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.
In therapy, we can explore how past experiences have shaped the way you see yourself, relate to others, and respond to the world around you. Whether you're navigating personal struggles, working through challenges as a couple, or hoping to strengthen family relationships, therapy offers a supportive space to approach these experiences with compassion, deepen your understanding of yourself and others, and make room for new ways of relating, connecting, and moving forward.