Therapists
Mikayla Ciotta, LMHC
(SHE/HER)
Associate Therapist, Licensed in NY
Mikayla sees clients in person and virtually
You may be coming to therapy wanting to better understand yourself and the patterns shaping your thoughts, emotions, and relationships. Maybe you feel stuck in familiar dynamics, uncertain about how to move forward, or disconnected from what feels most true for you. Therapy offers space to slow down, reflect, and gain clarity.
I work with adults navigating anxiety, relationship concerns, self-worth challenges, trauma, and life transitions. I have a particular interest in supporting individuals exploring the impact of family and religious upbringings – especially when questions around identity, values, guilt, or boundaries begin to surface.
My approach is person-centered and psychodynamic. Our work is collaborative and thoughtfully paced, with an emphasis on deepening insight rather than rushing toward quick solutions. Over time, therapy can foster lasting change, greater self-trust, emotional awareness, and a clearer sense of direction.
When I’m not in session, I love exploring NYC’s food scene, spending time with friends and family, and fostering dogs whenever I’m able to. Most days involve some mix of all three!
Q & A
1.How would you describe your therapy style?
My approach to therapy is relational, reflective, and collaborative. I pay close attention to emotional patterns, relational dynamics, and the ways earlier experiences continue to shape the present. All of this leads us toward deep, internally led change. Sessions are conversational and intentionally paced, allowing space for insight to emerge and for a clearer, more integrated sense of self to develop over time.
2.Are there any particular areas of focus that really excite you?
I’m especially interested in working with adults navigating trauma, anxiety, and the impact of family or religious upbringings. This includes supporting people through faith transitions, identity exploration, and experiences of guilt or fear shaped by early environments. I find this work impactful because it often involves helping clients reconnect with their own values and sense of agency.
3.What books have made an impact on your life?
The Glass Castle is a book that stayed with me from a young age. Reading it early on gave me insight into how deeply family dynamics and instability can shape a person’s life, and it helped spark my interest in wanting to support people who grew up in difficult or unpredictable environments.
