Siena Vaccara, Ed.M, M.A, LMHC
Licensed Psychotherapist in New York State
LGBTQIA+ & Reproductive Well-Being Specialist
Contact Me:
sienavaccara.therapist@Gmail.com
I'm Siena, a queer, trauma-informed Psychotherapist, Doula, Yin-Yoga Instructor and lifelong Musician from Brooklyn, NY.
As a Psychotherapist, I believe in encouraging personal growth through education, cultural awareness, and building trusting relationships. I know that patients are experts in their own experiences and understand the importance of the collaborative therapeutic space being unbiased, open-minded, and strength-driven. I treat individuals and couples of all ages with concerns ranging from interpersonal conflict to family planning, identity, mood fluctuations, trauma and stressful life events.
I received my masters in Mental Health & Psychological Counseling from Columbia University, with specialized training in Reproductive & Maternal Well-Being. I am also a DONA International Doula, which means I am passionate about providing holistic focused care to people as they navigate premenstrual, STD, fertility, family planning, prenatal, loss or postpartum mental health & adjustment concerns.
As a queer therapist, I hold additional degrees in Gender Studies, and have expertise in LGBTQIA+ affirming care. My goal is to always build a safe, inclusive healing environment, where individuals can nurture their identities, build community and receive resources with advocacy that is whole-person focused.
In session with me, you should expect to feel heard, feel at ease, feel understood and reassured. I will guide you through examining self-care measures and communication strategies - using compassion to ground yourself in your values and your goals. I practice with Feminist and Narrative treatment plans, as well as Cognitive Behavioral and Person-Centered techniques, to embrace an integrative psychotherapy approach that honors the unique needs of individuals. I also encourage Somatic (mind-body) strategies to increase emotional regulation.
My clinical experiences include daycare child developmental monitoring; group private practice; hospital settings: volunteering at Mount Sinai & New York Memory Center; and school settings: providing mental health care & neurodiversity services to CUNY & SUNY student populations. I am also a psycho-education content writer & consultant. For separate information about my role as a Doula + Yoga Instructor please visit
Credentials:
New York State Education Department
LMHC - Licensed Mental Health Counselor / Psychotherapist
Columbia University
Ed.M. - Mental Health Counseling
M.A. - Psychological Counseling
Adv.Cert. - Sexuality, Women & Gender: Reproductive & Maternal Well-Being
State University of New York College at Purchase
B.A. - Psychology
B.A. - Gender Studies
Minor - Music: Studio Composition
Certificate in Early Childhood Development
Research Foundation for Mental Hygiene & NYS Psychiatric Institute
Acute Trauma, C-SSRS Screening & Stanley-Brown Safety Planning
DONA International
Childbirth Doula Training
Anjali Holistic Health Academy
Yin & Prenatal Yoga Instruction
Affiliations:
- American Counseling Association
- American Psychological Association
- Doulas of North America
- Manhattan Alternative: Kink, Poly, Trans + LGBTQ Affirmative Providers
- Society for Sexual, Affectional & Gender Expansive Identities
- Coalition of Clinician Survivors
-Bizone: Bisexuality-Aware Professionals
- Psi Chi: The International Honor Society In Psychology
- Backline: Mental Health & Wellness for the Music Industry
- Women's Mental Health Consortium