WELCOME TO
Daniela Tuda, PhD LCSW
ABOUT ME
Therapy doesn't have to feel intimidating, overly formal, or like you're supposed to have everything figured out before you walk through the door.
I'm a licensed clinical social worker who specializes in working with adults navigating anxiety, obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), trauma, difficulties managing emotions, relationship challenges, and major life transitions. Whether you're feeling overwhelmed, stuck in familiar patterns, or struggling to understand why certain things feel so difficult, therapy can help you make sense of what's happening and find new ways to move forward.
I particularly enjoy working with college students, graduate students, and professionals navigating demanding careers and high-pressure environments, including those in medicine, law, and other fields where expectations can feel relentless. Many of the people I work with are highly capable and successful in their professional or academic lives but find themselves struggling with anxiety, perfectionism, burnout, relationships, or the pressure to always have it together. Therapy can offer an opportunity to step outside those expectations and figure out what you actually need and want for yourself.
I also have a particular interest in working with men, including those who may be newer to therapy or have spent much of their lives feeling like they need to handle things on their own. I recognize that talking openly about emotions, relationships, or personal struggles doesn't always come naturally, especially when you've been encouraged to push through or keep things to yourself. My goal is to make therapy feel approachable, straightforward, and genuinely useful, without expecting you to communicate or process things in any particular way.
My approach is warm, collaborative, practical, and occasionally humorous (at least I think so). I believe a strong therapeutic relationship is at the heart of meaningful change. I want you to feel comfortable being yourself, knowing that you can show up exactly as you are, without judgment. At the same time, I'm not a therapist who will just nod along. I'll ask questions, offer perspectives, and gently challenge you when I think it might be helpful.
I draw from evidence-based approaches, including Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), and Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR), while also incorporating psychodynamic perspectives to explore how past experiences, relationships, and patterns shape your present life. Some sessions might focus on developing concrete skills to manage anxiety or difficult emotions, while others might involve taking a closer look at experiences or patterns that have been holding you back. Often, it's a combination of both.
I don't believe therapy should be one-size-fits-all. We'll work together to understand what's bringing you in, identify what matters most to you, and find an approach that fits your needs, goals, and values.
Ultimately, my goal is to help you build a better understanding of yourself, feel more confident navigating life's challenges, and create meaningful, lasting changes in your life. You don't need to have all the answers to get started. We can figure out where to begin together.
About Daniela Tuda, PhD, LCSW
I'm a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) with a Master's in Social Work from Columbia University and a PhD in Social Work from Washington University in St. Louis. My clinical experience spans working with adolescents and adults across a range of settings, with a particular focus on anxiety, OCD, trauma, emotion regulation, and navigating life's challenges and transitions.
My clinical training includes a range of evidence-based approaches, including Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR), Motivational Interviewing, and psychodynamic therapy. I believe in being flexible and thoughtful about treatment, recognizing that what works for one person may not work for another. I aim to bring both clinical expertise and genuine curiosity to my work, while making therapy feel approachable, collaborative, and occasionally even fun.
Alongside my clinical practice, I work as a Research Scientist at the New York State Psychiatric Institute, where my research focuses on improving access to culturally responsive mental health care, particularly for historically underserved communities and young people at risk for suicide. During my doctoral training, I was also a National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) T32 Predoctoral Fellow. My research continues to shape how I approach therapy, reinforcing the importance of understanding each person's experiences within the broader context of their relationships, identities, and communities.
Outside of work, I love traveling, hiking, exploring new places, and spending quality time with my two cats, Olive and Chimichurri (who are very much in charge of the household). I'm also always
MY APPROACH
I believe therapy works best when it's a collaboration. You bring your experiences, goals, and understanding of yourself, and I bring my clinical expertise, curiosity, and a willingness to figure things out together.
My approach combines practical, evidence-based strategies with a deeper exploration of the experiences, relationships, and patterns that shape how you think, feel, and interact with the world. Sometimes that means learning concrete skills to manage anxiety, navigate difficult emotions, or change behaviors that aren't serving you. Other times, it means exploring past experiences, processing trauma, or gaining a better understanding of yourself.
I'm an active and engaged therapist. I'll listen, ask questions, offer feedback, and challenge you when it's helpful, always with compassion and respect for your individual experiences.
Services I Offer
Individual Therapy
Couples Therapy
Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR)
Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT)
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
Psychodynamic and Relational Therapy
Clinical Supervision for Therapists
Not sure what type of therapy you need? That's completely okay. We can talk through what you're experiencing and figure out an approach that makes sense for you.
CONTACT HERE
Reach out to get more information, ask a question, or schedule a phone consultation.