Wendy Kesel , LCSW-R

Wendy Kesel is a licensed clinical social worker in New York with 26 years of experience. She brings steady, practical support to people managing stress, anxiety, depression, bipolar disorder, grief, and life transitions. Her approach aims to make the first steps toward change feel achievable and less overwhelming.

She creates a calm, nonjudgmental space where people can talk through difficult feelings. Sessions focus on clear goals and practical coping skills. Wendy listens for patterns in relationships, communication, and self-image that keep problems stuck.

Wendy uses a mix of widely used therapeutic methods to match each person’s needs. She draws on cognitive behavioral tools to shift unhelpful thinking. She also uses attachment-informed work to look at how past relationships shape current reactions.

People turn to her for help with parenting stress, family conflict, intimacy challenges, and career concerns. She also supports those facing adoption or foster care issues, aging and caregiver stress, body image struggles, and the effects of trauma or abandonment.

Sessions can include practical exercises, emotion regulation skills, and conversational coaching to address specific situations. Wendy aims to help clients build habits that reduce anxiety and increase confidence over time.

Therapeutic approaches translated for online care

Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) focuses on noticing difficult thoughts and feelings without getting stuck in them. It helps people clarify what matters most and take small steps toward those values even when emotions are strong. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) looks at patterns of thought and behavior that keep problems going and teaches concrete steps to change them, which can help with anxiety, depression, and stress.

Choosing an approach is a collaborative process. The therapist will talk about goals, try a few strategies, and adjust based on what feels useful. Clients and the therapist decide together which combination of ACT, CBT, or attachment-informed work fits best for the issue at hand.

Online sessions are offered by licensed professionals in formats that suit different routines. Video calls let people work face-to-face from wherever they are. Phone sessions require less bandwidth and can fit a break at work. Live chat and text-based messaging support shorter check-ins, written reflection, or ongoing coaching between meetings. These options make therapy more flexible for busy schedules and changing needs.