Dr. Maya Levine, LMHC
I help high-functioning adults who feel emotionally “shut down” — whether from alexithymia , chronic stress, or long-term trauma — learn how to feel, name, and safely express their emotions without burning out or blowing up.
Professional Background & Credentials
Education
- M.S. in Mental Health Counseling – New York University
- B.A. Psychology – University of Michigan
Licensure
- Licensed Mental Health Counselor (LMHC) – New York
- License No.: Hypothetical #0092345
Specialized Trainings
- EMDRIA-Approved EMDR Training
- CBT for Anxiety & Trauma Certification
- Somatic & Polyvagal Techniques Training
Professional Memberships
- EMDR International Association (EMDRIA)
- American Counseling Association (ACA)
- New York Mental Health Counselors Association (NYMHCA)
About My Approach
If you grew up being told to “toughen up,” “stop overreacting,” or never really learned the language of feelings, therapy can feel intimidating. My work is about slowing things down, making emotions less mysterious, and helping you feel safer inside your own body and relationships.
Many clients arrive saying things like, “I know something is wrong, but I don’t have the words for it,” or “My partner says I’m emotionally unavailable, but I honestly don’t know what I’m supposed to feel.” That’s not a character flaw — it often reflects alexithymia in relationships , complex trauma, or years of emotional suppression.
Together, we map what’s happening underneath the surface: body sensations, thoughts, automatic reactions, and long-standing patterns. I blend CBT tools for structure, EMDR for trauma memory processing, and mindfulness-based strategies to help you reconnect with your internal world at a pace that feels safe.
My style is warm, grounded, and collaborative. I won’t just stare at you silently — I’ll reflect, explain, gently challenge, and celebrate the small wins: fewer shutdowns, fewer blowups, and more moments where you can actually feel present in your life.
Who I Work Best With
I specialize in working with adults and teens who feel emotionally disconnected, overwhelmed, or unsure how to express what they feel — even when life looks “fine” on the outside.
If you struggle to name or access emotions, we’ll build a shared internal language at a safe pace. Learn more in our guide on alexithymia.
I support clients navigating emotional neglect, chaotic family systems, and PTSD. For symptoms, see: PTSD coding & symptoms.
Many feel “successful” outside but overstimulated inside. We apply CBT tools such as cognitive distortion work .
I help clients navigate emotional distance, communication issues, or quiet depression in their relationships.
Feeling flat, checked-out, or detached matters. We examine hidden depression signs, including: depression in teens .
NYC amplifies stress — we tailor therapy for your lifestyle. Explore: PTSD treatment in NYC.
Therapy Style & Personality
Warm, Collaborative & Grounded
I don’t sit silently while you guess what to say. I reflect, clarify, and guide — with warmth and grounded presence.
Direct but Gentle
I will challenge patterns when needed, but always in a way that feels safe, respectful, and paced so you can stay regulated.
Emotion & Body Awareness
Your inner world isn’t just thoughts. We explore sensations, triggers, shutdown responses, and the body’s signals.
Trauma-Informed Approach
We move slowly. We avoid overwhelm. We build capacity, not crisis. Safety drives everything.
How Therapy With Me Works
My approach is structured enough to feel safe and predictable — yet flexible enough to follow what truly matters in the room.
Blending structure with depth
We begin by clarifying what’s bringing you in: emotional numbness, relational conflict, chronic burnout, or trauma spillover. I may use journaling prompts inspired by our guide on emotional numbness journaling to help map patterns.
From there, I integrate:
- CBT to organize anxious thoughts and reduce all-or-nothing thinking.
- EMDR for trauma memories, paired with psychoeducation similar to childhood trauma EMDR .
- Mind–body awareness for shutdown, somatic stress, and overwhelm (see: stress management).
We also normalize and carefully unpack repressed emotions: where they formed, how they protected you, and how to safely reconnect with them.
What My Clients Often Achieve
- Understanding and naming emotions clearly instead of feeling “numb” or “confused.”
- Reducing shutdown, withdrawal, or freeze responses during stress.
- Calmer, healthier communication in relationships and partnerships.
- Healing emotional wounds tied to childhood experiences or trauma patterns.
- Feeling more connected, grounded, and emotionally present.
- Improved self-esteem, boundary-setting, and sense of identity.
- Greater capacity to handle triggers without overwhelm.
What to Expect in Our Work Together
You don't need to know “where to start.” I’ll guide the process at a pace that feels grounded and safe.
“Before therapy, I thought I was simply cold or distant. Learning about emotional numbness and trauma helped me finally understand myself — my partner says I’m more present now.”
If you're unsure whether your experience aligns more with alexithymia, quiet depression, or trauma, we’ll approach it gently and without judgment.
Insurance & Fees
Session Fees
Individual Therapy: $180 – $240 per 50-minute session
EMDR Sessions: $220 – $270 per 60-minute session
Teens (Ages 14–17): $160 – $200
Insurance
I am an out-of-network (OON) provider for all insurance plans.
You may receive 50–80% reimbursement depending on your plan.
- Monthly superbills provided
- Assistance verifying your benefits
- Guidance on filing OON claims
Sliding Scale
Limited sliding-scale spots are available for clients experiencing financial hardship.
These are offered based on need and schedule availability.
If you're new to OON reimbursement, see our guide: How out-of-network reimbursement works.
Tools, Worksheets & Between-Session Support
Emotional Vocabulary Worksheets
For clients who struggle to name feelings, I provide guided worksheets to help build emotional vocabulary and internal awareness.
Learn MoreCBT Thought Record Sheets
We use simplified CBT tools to track patterns, distortions, and triggers between sessions.
CBT GuideEMDR Preparation Exercises
Includes grounding, resource-building, and stabilization exercises to support EMDR work safely.
EMDR InfoSomatic Check-in Prompts
Short body-awareness prompts to help reduce overwhelm and improve mind-body connection.
Frequently Asked Questions
A few common questions that often arise when beginning therapy for emotional numbness, anxiety, trauma, or relationship challenges.
Ready to stop feeling disconnected?
It’s time to understand your inner world and build emotional safety — with support that matches your pace.