Ms. Alia Cross LMHC

I returned to graduate school in my 30’s to become a therapist after surviving my own journey of having Bipolar One Disorder. The disease is something I live with and manage. During the course of my treatment, I’ve felt what it’s like to have had both poor counselors and also to have had excellent ones. I strive to be one of the better ones. I do this in a variety of ways, but the most crucial one is that I regularly check-in with my clients about their lived experience. I ask my clients how they feel counseling is going. I ask for feedback: What do they think is going well? What’s not going as well? What needs to change in order for their healing process to work for them? Sometimes this means a client will share that I am not the right therapist for them. I don’t take that personally. With those situations, I will provide verbal praise for honest communication and will make a referral to another provider. I choose this profession because I respect other people and believe that each one of us is the own best expert on our lives.

• New York, Licensed Mental Health Counselor, 010244-01

Due to licensing rules, I can only see New York clients! I am empathetic when working with diverse, adult populations facing situational & mental health challenges. I've been on both sides of "the therapy couch" as a Survivor with Bipolar I Disorder & as a counselor. I completed my internship assisting Survivors of Domestic Violence & have a great deal of knowledge about Healthy Relationships vs Unhealthy ones. Prior to opening up my own private practice, I worked for 5 years at an Outpatient Behavioral Health clinic located within a hospital. I'm comfortable helping folks facing anxiety, depression, psychosis & trauma. I am currently strengthening my couples' counseling skills and have hired a private consultant/supervisor to assist me in this endeavor. I can work with both individuals and couples to clarifying achievable goals & I can build trust. It's an honor to be able to help others navigate the curveballs life will throw!