Russian Therapist

Mrs. Katya Chizhova is a New Jersey and New York State licensed psychotherapist with over 15 years of experience, specializing in adults and children. Born and raised in Russia and educated in the United States, Mrs. Chizhova has a strong understanding of cultural diversity, immigration issues, and hard challenges of integrating into a new society. She has worked in a variety of settings dealing with child, adult and family issues, crisis intervention, loss and bereavement and geriatric help. Mrs. Chizhova has counseled people afflicted with temporary or permanent physical, neurological and mental disabilities, helping them through all phases from the coming to terms with their problem to making necessary and often difficult adjustments to the genuine acceptance of a new lifestyle. Mrs. Chizhova is an active member of ASPEN, a non-profit organization that provides education, support and advocacy for high-functioning autistic people. She is professionally and personally involved in helping families raise children diagnosed with Autistic Spectrum disorders. Herself a mother of such a child, Mrs. Chizhova can relate to the emotional, educational and social challenges of these children and their parents. As a clinician, Mrs. Chizhova seeks to help parents understand the unique needs of the ‘spectrum’ children and develop the therapy and support framework essential for healthy bonding with such children and helping them realize their full potential. Dr. Chizhova has recently organized a new support group – Survival Strategies for Parenting Children with Mental and Developmental Disorders (ADHD, Bipolar, Autistic Spectrum, Obsessive Compulsive, Generalized Anxiety Disorders). Mrs. Chizhova strongly believes that people struggling with manifold stresses of modern life need to learn to pause and reflect, getting in touch with themselves and their life. For many, the first step is to call for an appointment with a therapist.

Ms. Anna Kaplan is a licensed psychotherapist, for whom psychotherapy is not just her profession, but it’s her life’s calling. Ms. Kaplan started counseling people more than 30 years ago after receiving a masters degree in psychology from Moscow University. Ms. Kaplan’s career in the US began soon after her arrival to the U.S. as a Russian refugee, when she began working with various groups of immigrants while receiving her Masters degree from Hunter College School of Social Work. During these studies, she received classical training in psychodynamic psychotherapy, which expanded her already wide repertoire of techniques, including CBT, interpersonal neurobiology, brain spotting, Ericsonian hypnosis and Internal Family Systems therapy. Ms. Kaplan does not believe in a “one size fits all” approach to counseling. Psychotherapy is a collaborative process in which the therapist has the necessary training and skill to help each client gain access to the resources that person already possesses. Her approach tends to emphasize health over illness, and client strengths over weakness. Ms. Kaplan strongly believes in mindfulness, working with the mind-body connection, and the healing power of laughter. Ms. Kaplan has a great deal of experience working with trauma (PTSD), depression, bipolar disorder, postpartum depression, anxiety, and gender identity issues. She enjoys working with adolescents and has a strong interest in parenting issues. Couples therapy is her passion as well as her forte. She is endlessly interested in human nature, and promises to never stop studying it, while her love of travel exposes me to different cultures, as does her love of literature and the arts.

Ms. Yulia Braginsky is a knowledgeable and caring clinician with over 10 years of experience in different treatment settings. She worked as a Clinical Supervisor at the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Program at the Jacobi Hospital in the Bronx and ran Partial Hospital at the Bergen Regional Medical Center in Paramus, NJ. Ms. Braginsky has experience in research and teaching. She supervised a number of graduate students, internships, and as an Adjunct Professor, taught the course Diagnosis and Assessment in Clinical Social Work at Kean University, Union, NJ. In her work with clients, Yulia believes that every person has inherent strengths and strives to grow and develop. The goal of therapy to alleviate personal suffering and encourage change is best achieved in a safe atmosphere of unconditional positive regard where a person feels respected and understood. Ms. Braginsky’s practice is based on promoting a genuine relationship of partnership between the client and therapist that helps individuals feel empowered and regain control over their lives. Yulia’s areas of expertise include depression, bipolar illness, anxiety disorders and different forms of addiction. She is committed to helping women and their families to face mental health issues in pregnancy and postpartum period (Postpartum Depression). In addition to treating individuals, couples, and conducting psychotherapy groups (e.g., Young Women support group), Ms. Braginsky serves as a Clinical Director for the Intensive Outpatient Program (IOP) of the Center of Revitalizing Psychiatry, Hackensack, NJ.