Meet our Team

Anya Lukianov, LCSW

THERAPY APPROACHES

Attachment-based

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)

Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT)

Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT)

Emotionally Focused Couples Therapy (EFT)

Exposure & Response Prevention (ERP)

Internal Family Systems (IFS)

Gender-affirming treatment & Care Coordination

Family / Marital Therapy Approaches

Psychodynamic, Humanistic & Relational Approach

Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT)

Rational Emotive Behavior (REBT)

Sex positive therapist (well-versed)

Somatic Experience Psychotherapy (Somatic Experience (SE™ Institute, Advanced level)

SPECIFIC POPULATIONS SERVED

Young adults (18+)

Adults, Couples, Partners

Aged & disabled (65+)

LGBTQIA+/GNC/NB/Alt./Trans

ENM/CNM/Open/Sex Positive

Professionals seeking Clinical Supervision

“Anya is an incredibly empathetic, calming presence who has an intimate understanding of how to manage trauma in individuals from all walks of life. If you’re looking for a veritable well of compassion and highly educated somatic healing, here she is!”

-Anonymous

“Anya is excellent. She is caring, compassionate, and will meet you where you are. She is supportive and incredibly knowledgeable about her field. She will break down the science behind the complicated field of psychotherapy in understandable ways. I cannot recommend her enough. You will thank yourself for reaching out to her and scheduling a session!”

- RG

“Fantastic care in a tough time. After speaking to a few different therapists, Anya was immediately the best option for me, showing a deep personal care and interest within minutes of introduction. She was always clear, communicative, flexible and went the extra mile to help.”

- DD

LICENSES & CERTIFICATIONS

• Licensed Psychotherapist, NY

• Licensed Clinical Social Worker, NY

• Somatic Experience (SE™ Institute), Advanced Level

• Certified Addiction Informed Mental Health Professional (CAIMHP)

ADDITIONAL LANGUAGES

English (Advanced Proficiency)
Russian (Native or bilingual proficiency, Non-Clinical, Care Coordination, Referrals)

EDUCATION

Post Graduate Institute Training, Somatic Experiencing (Advanced Level) - SETI™ Institute)

Masters degree in Social Work (MSW) - Rutgers University

Bachelor’s degree in Psychology - Rutgers University

• Clinical Social Work & Business Psychology

PROFESSIONAL BACKGROUND

Clinical Director, Trauma Trained Psychotherapist - Founder, Embracing Equanimity LLC

• (Part-time) In-person Therapy

• Clinical Supervisor for Licensed Mental Health Professionals

• Trauma-informed/Trauma Trained Care, Sex-positive, Gender-affirming Care

• Remote Bi-Tapp devices for Remote Trauma Trained Care

• SOBERLINK, Court Approved Alcohol Monitoring Services

TRAUMA TRAINED & Addiction Psychotherapist, Partner Clinician - Resilience Lab P.C.

Clinician, Trauma & Addiction Therapist - Ascendent, NY

Trauma & Addiction Focused Clinician / Therapist, Clinical Care Manager - Tricenter Inc. OMH Medicaid Services

• State & Federal Mandated Treatment

• Forensic Population, Parole / Probation

Trauma Informed Clincian / Therapist, Supervising Case Manager - Brooklyn Blvd Assisted Living Facility

Clinician / Counselor for at-risk youth - DOE High School of Hospitality Management

Clinician / Counselor for Houseless and at-risk youth Drop-In Center - Hetrick Martin Institute & Harvey Milk High School: NY, NY

PROFESSIONAL AFFILIATIONS

Lead Project Developer, Refugee Support Project - Psychoanalytic Psychotherapy Study Center (PPSC)

• Project Infrastructure development

• Operational Workflows, Recruitment

• Humanitarian Aid Coordinator

Volunteer / Pro Bono Services in the Mental Health Field

Lead Project Developer, Refugee Support Project - Psychoanalytic Psychotherapy Study Center (PPSC)

Clinician & Social Worker - Hetrick Martin Institute / Harvey Milk High School

Humanitarian Work Abroad - Project Mexico

Frequently Asked Questions

If I have never been to therapy before, what should I expect? How do I know if I should go, and how do I start?

Psychotherapy is not reserved for individuals that fall under any specific category. There are no issues that are too insignificant for therapy if they are affecting you negatively or taking away from your overall sense of wellbeing. As a perspective client, I am happy to provide a free 15 minute phone consult to answer any questions you may have. If you’d like to proceed from there by scheduling an initial in-person session, I will gladly schedule an appointment at a time that is convenient for the both of us. Whether you continue therapy and schedule follow-up appointments is completely up to you. I hope to warmly welcome you into my practice if you find that it can be beneficial for your wellbeing. Please know that many first time patients feel uncomfortable, nervous and/or fearful of taking these first steps. That it is perfectly natural and tolerating this discomfort will often lead you to find that therapy is an invaluable tool for self-improvement, empowerment and proactive change in your life.

Do I need to be mindful of anything in particular while commuting to your office?

A suggestion is to be mindful of timing. Often therapists see patients back to back, so to make sure that you benefit from the entirety of your session allow yourself plenty of travel time. If you have questions regarding office location and/or transportation options, kindly let me know. I are happy to ensure that you have all the details beforehand.
 

How participatory are you during sessions?

Typically our participation in sessions is equal to the client. At times we require more listening than feedback; while at other times we may feel that a hands-on, more directive approach is beneficial. I assess for appropriateness of engagement each session based on my professional expertise. 

Do you assign homework, activities, or readings for me to do between sessions? Why or why not?

I do enjoy providing psychoeducation to clients as needed, this allows them to have a clearer understanding of what is happening and what to expect. I am happy to provide tasks between sessions upon request or as deemed clinically necessary. Typically the requests/challenges I suggest to clients between sessions is to reflect and be mindful about an issue being worked on in therapy (ex: identifying tendency to self-sabotage, practicing a learned coping strategy, mindfulness of our emotions and thoughts, attending one support group before our next session, etc). For issues such as substance abuse and eating disorders that aren’t well stabilized, the approach will likely be more structured based on patient-centered needs.

How much do you share about yourself during our time together and why?

We may share some information from personal experience in therapy sessions if we believe that it will help the client feel validated, support a relational approach, and further the therapeutic progress. We do not share specific, personal information so as not to blur the boundaries that are crucial to maintain professionalism in psychotherapy.
 

How will our relationship be different than relationships I have with friends/loved ones?

The relationship between a client and a therapist is unique in that it is one of confidentiality and complete discretion. Psychotherapists are trained providers that complete graduate level schooling and regularly participate in continuing education training. With this expertise they can offer clinical insight and information that your friends/loved ones likely do not have. Also, the therapeutic relationship is an unbiased one, meaning that whatever is discussed will be addressed without the therapist taking sides, having ulterior motives, or assuming they know what’s best for you. The therapeutic relationship is a collaborative one, in which answers and breakthroughs will naturally reveal themselves as you progress in treatment. Lastly, although a therapeutic relationship is personal in nature it is also professional, especially outside of the office parameters. A professional therapeutic relationship is intended for clients to develop insight and to allow for breakthroughs which can then be applied in their personal lives and interpersonal relationships. An example of the difference between personal relationships with loved ones/friends versus professional relationships with therapists is gift giving. Most therapists do not accept or give gifts. Examples such as this do not mean that therapists are inconsiderate or lack gratitude, it is to ensure that unhealthy personal feelings do not develop in a professional relationship. It is unethical for therapists to engage in personal relationships with their clients or to even treat the client’s closed loved ones at times due to conflict of interest concerns. Therefore, therapists follow an ethical code of conduct which sets relationship boundaries that aren’t present in relationships with loved ones/friends.

What is unique about the work you do, or how have you found your work to be different than your colleagues’?

Every therapist has their own signature, so to speak. I find that it is our job as therapists provides a unique and highly effective treatment experiences. Anya Lukianov, LCSW utilizes a relational approach that incorporates mindfulness as well as awareness of the mind-body connection. In many cultures and societies, an individual’s wellbeing is seen as a whole: body and mind. Having a deep understanding about the interconnectedness of our brains, nervous systems, immune systems, respiratory systems, and our entire body as a whole is crucial in informing my style of psychotherapy. I encourage self-care in numerous life areas to address biological, psychological, social, and spiritual factors (if applicable). Mental and physical self-care (if applied) is a powerful tool in aiding the healing process and in living a happier, healthier life overall.

How can you tell if I am benefiting from working with you?

A client is benefiting from therapy if they are achieving or making progress towards treatment plan goals. Treatment goals are often openly discussed between the client and therapist, or at a minimum they are outlined clearly in the therapist’s notes so as to ensure that the client is making progress in a clinically appropriate manner. At times, things will happen in life that are a setback. The therapist and client can work through potential setbacks together to ensure that progress continues to be made and that relief from the presenting problems continue to be felt over time.

Is there ever a time when you would encourage me to leave or graduate? Or how do I know when it’s time to end or move on, or time to stay and explore more?

The decision to terminate treatment is one which should be discussed in-depth between the client and the therapist. Therapy can last from several sessions to several months and even years. It really depends on what the client wants and needs are. Some clients come in with a very specific issue they need to solve and might find that after solving that issue, they no longer require treatment. Others come in with issues and mental health conditions that require more in-depth work, leading to lengthier time in treatment. The most important thing to keep in mind as a client is that terminating treatment prematurely can cause a great deal of harm. If clients have an urge to abruptly end treatment it is important that they talk honestly and in-person with their therapist beforehand, to figure out why and to plan out the termination if needed.  At times, therapy can uncover difficult realities, feelings, and past experiences that clients may not want to face. The therapist would hope that the client feels safe enough to discuss their feelings, rather than discontinuing therapy without a chance to process their feelings. Although therapy may feel difficult at times, this is usually a sign that a breakthrough about to occur. Collaboratively discussing your needs and treatment progress is highly recommended. Ending therapy can be a very positive experience based on each individual’s needs.