About Joanna
Dr. Joanna Kristeva uses cognitive and psychodynamic approaches to help people manage difficult emotions and life changes. She is a licensed social worker - LCSW - and brings twelve years of clinical experience to her practice in New York.
Clients come for help with trauma and abuse, grief, low self-esteem, and depression. She also addresses issues such as abandonment, attachment concerns, dissociation, forgiveness, and feelings of isolation. Sessions focus on practical steps people can try between meetings.
Background and approach
Her work blends Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and Trauma-Focused Therapy with psychodynamic and Jungian perspectives. That mix lets her look at patterns in current life while also addressing painful memories and emotional wounds. She uses clear, concrete strategies alongside deeper reflection when that fits a person's needs.
Joanna completed postgraduate study at New York University and holds a doctorate in philosophy. She also had clinical training at Columbia University in trauma treatment and complicated grief counseling. Her background includes published articles and books on related topics.
In sessions she aims to build an understanding of what causes recurring struggles and then test small, manageable changes. People leave with tools to cope better day to day and a clearer sense of what they want from life and relationships.
Practical approaches for online trauma and mood work
Dr. Kristeva commonly combines Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and Trauma-Focused Therapy along with psychodynamic ideas. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy focuses on identifying unhelpful thoughts and testing small behavior changes to reduce distress and improve mood. Trauma-Focused Therapy attends to painful memories and the ways those memories affect daily life, using step-by-step techniques to reduce their hold.Choosing the right approach is a collaborative process. The therapist will work with each person to clarify goals, try methods, and adjust the plan based on what helps most. Together they decide whether skills-focused work, deeper exploration of past patterns, or a mix will be most useful.
Online sessions are offered as video calls, phone sessions, live chat, or text-based messaging to make therapy fit into busy lives. Video sessions allow face-to-face conversation and visual cues. Phone sessions can be a simpler option when bandwidth is limited. Live chat or text-based messaging can support quick check-ins and ongoing practice between appointments. These formats provide flexibility so people can schedule support around work, family, and other commitments.
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Specialties and expertise
Top specialties
Also works with
Therapeutic approaches
- Experience
- 12 years
- Licensed
- New York, Ohio
- Languages
- English