I try to help all patients who come to me. Through mostly medication management, I address depression, bipolar, schizophrenia, anxiety, impulsiveness, anger, mood instability, addiction, nightmares, focus and sleep issues.

I work with people who are thoughtful and self-aware, but feel stuck, overwhelmed, or unsure how to move forward. You might find yourself caught between who you are and who you feel you’re “supposed” to be—driven more by pressure or anxiety than by a clear sense of what actually feels right. In our work together, the focus is on helping you understand yourself more deeply while also creating meaningful change. Sessions are active and collaborative, often incorporating humor and metaphor, with a balance of insight and practical movement forward. I draw from relational cultural theory, narrative therapy, and solution-focused approaches, adapting to what feels most helpful for you. My work is trauma-informed and identity-affirming, and I approach your story with curiosity, care, and respect. As a cis, queer man from the evangelical South, I bring lived insight into how power, privilege, and systems shape identity and mental health. I’m mindful of how these dynamics can show up both in your life and in the therapy room. Over time, clients often feel more grounded in who they are, more confident in their choices, and better able to move through uncertainty without losing themselves. If you’re considering therapy, I offer a free consultation to talk through what you’re looking for and see if we’re a good fit.

You might be the person everyone counts on. You are capable, responsible, and really good at keeping things moving. But underneath all of that, you may feel anxious, overwhelmed, disconnected from yourself, or just tired of holding everything together. A lot of the women I work with are stuck in patterns like overthinking, people-pleasing, perfectionism, emotional or binge eating, body image struggles, difficult family dynamics, and feeling guilty anytime they try to set a boundary. You may know exactly why you do what you do and still feel frustrated that knowing has not actually changed it. That is where our work comes in. My style is warm, direct, practical, and active. I am not the kind of therapist who will sit quietly while you talk in circles for 50 minutes. We will absolutely make space for what is going on emotionally, but we will also figure out what is keeping you stuck and what you can actually do differently. I want therapy to feel useful. That might mean learning how to calm your anxiety, stop spiraling, set a boundary without immediately regretting it, understand why food has become such an emotional outlet, or finally stop taking responsibility for everyone else’s feelings. I also believe therapy can be meaningful without feeling heavy all the time. There is room for humor, honesty, real conversations, and moments where you realize, “Oh wow, I have been doing this my whole life.” The goal is not to turn you into a completely different person. It is to help you feel more like yourself. Calmer. More confident. Less consumed by worry. More comfortable saying no. More at ease in your relationships, with food, and in your own head. If you are new to therapy, reaching out can feel awkward or intimidating. I try to make the process as easy and comfortable as possible. I offer a complimentary video consultation where we can meet, talk about what is going on, and answer any questions you have. You can get a feel for my personality and approach and decide whether I feel like the right therapist for you.

I commend you on taking the first step, but anxiety, depression, feeling lost and out of control are not states you need to endure. I am passionate about helping others build tools and develop the skills they need to find relief and gain the confidence to navigate through life's rough times. Using evidence-based therapeutic approaches, the goal is to achieve empowerment to work through any current issues while gaining the ability to handle future ones. It is not about controlling the waves, it's about learning to surf them.

I offer a range of services to meet the needs of families, including individual and family counseling, couples therapy, and group therapy. I also offer workshops and training on a variety of topics related to family relationships and mental health. Fully Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist and Qualified Supervisor: New York - 002081 New Jersey - 37FI00221800 Connecticut - 003267 Michigan - 4101007427

Dawn M. Hughes, Ph.D., ABPP, is a clinical and forensic psychologist whose private practice is based in New York City. Her area of expertise involves helping people who have experienced interpersonal violence, trauma, and anxiety issues. She has provided effective treatment for traumatic stress, sexual assault, rape, intimate partner violence, childhood abuse, and other adverse issues for more than 20 years. Dr. Hughes holds a faculty appointment as a Clinical Assistant Professor of Psychology at New York-PresbyterianWeill Cornell Medical Center, was President of the Women's Mental Health Consortium from 2009 to 2017, was a founding member of the Trauma Psychology Division of the American Psychological Association, and is a member of several other trauma and professional organizations. Dr. Hughes received certification in forensic psychology from the American Board of Professional Psychology in 2005 and has been qualified as an expert witness in State and Federal Courts in several states.

I have been working as a clinical social worker and psychotherapist for over 25 years. I have a wide variety of experience in different diagnostic categories as well as expertise in common social and environmental challenges that many people face. In working with clients, I generally use a psychodynamic approach which is based on psychoanalytic principles. As such, I provide a warm and accepting atmosphere and help people start to better understand themselves, accept responsibility for what they can control and recognize what they can't. Through this ongoing self-awareness, clients are better able to bring certain unconscious motivations and behaviors to the surface and better understand their particular repetitions and patterns. Many clients experience great relief in this process and are often then better equipped to take on the difficulties that may come up in their lives.

We offer a community-based facility serving individuals and families. Patricio Destuet, our director, has over two decades of experience serving our community. We offer treatment for anxiety, panic, depression, chronic illness, family problems, and domestic violence. We help children navigate academic challenges, learning and behavior difficulties, ODD, ADHD, and ADD. We offer parenting counseling to parents of children and adolescents, as well as services for couples and families. We have a professional team approach, using on-site social workers, psychiatric staff, and psychologists. We do not maintain a waiting list! We use a variety of techniques, including dynamic therapy, play hour for children, and cognitive therapy. We also offer family and couples counseling, parenting counseling, and a host of community services, including parenting groups. Our experienced licensed mental health professionals for adolescents, adults, and children are available in our office or for referral. We work with school counselors, the community, neurologists, psychiatrists, and primary care physicians. We're conveniently located near public transportation and parking.

In my practice, my goal is to create a safe space that allows for real human connection and support in identifying what challenges you are hoping to overcome. You can expect to be met with empathy and genuine curiosity. I appreciate and value the opportunity to be let into someone's life, to learn about them, and support them in being the person they want to be - it's a privilege I don't take lightly.

Thank you for being here and taking the first step in your journey. My greatest hope is to be someone who can offer you genuine understanding and empathy, and to provide a compassionate space where you can explore your thoughts and feelings. Together, we will create an environment that feels both empowering and supportive, helping you move toward a sense of direction and balance in your life. My approach to therapy is integrative and inquisitive, drawing from a variety of methods to best suit your individual needs, circumstances, and goals. I am deeply curious about the complexities of the human experience, and I believe that exploring your thoughts, emotions, and behaviors is key to understanding yourself more fully. I view our work together as a collaborative process, where we explore your experiences and concerns in a safe, nonjudgmental way. I am committed to fostering an environment where you can feel truly seen and heard. This space is for you to discover and be your most authentic self, and I hope to help you cultivate the self-compassion and self-trust necessary to navigate life’s complications. Every perspective and every story has meaning, and I am genuinely excited to learn about yours.

Over the past 30 years, I have had the privilege of working with individuals from all walks of life. My approach is grounded in a deep respect for the individual human spirit and a true belief in the therapeutic relationship as a means to create a sense of possibility in life and a desire to move forward. We all have the answers to those challenging questions within us. My hope is to facilitate this process of recovery.

My belief is that with support and opportunities for self-expression all of us can grow into happier, healthier, more balanced and connected individuals. I integrate mindfulness, meditation, and art-making with verbal therapy to provide clients with opportunities for increased self-awareness and self-compassion. My approach is holistic; believing that mind-body-spirit and past-present-future are inextricably linked. Therapy is a journey we embark on together with an attitude of compassion and curiosity.