Annie Kushner
Mental Health Counselor Student Intern
The greatest thing you’ll ever learn is just to love and be loved in return.” -Eden Ahbez, “Nature Boy”
Intimate and close connections fuel our sense of self, fulfill our need to be part of something bigger than ourselves, and provide a space to feel seen and understood. And yet, it is inevitable that relationships ebb and flow with how well they meet the needs of their members. Using evidence-based treatments, I work with families and couples facing difficulties communicating, connecting, and/or navigating life transitions.
My unique training as a Marriage and Family Therapy student allows me to work with family units or couples to help my clients better understand their own role in the challenge their relationship faces, foster communication between individuals to understand the perspectives of their loved ones, and build skills and strategies to move forward together toward the loving relationship that they deserve. Coming into this profession with a teaching background of 12 years, I also bring with me insight from working with roughly 1000 families of preteens and teenagers. I am passionate about exploring the nuanced and personal factors that affect each relationship and support all parties to find their voice in our sessions. I hold space for every family and couple to maintain their distinct values and formulate their unique goals, understanding that improving connection is at the heart of our work together. My training also allows me to work well with individuals in sessions, especially if their concerns relate to close relationships in their lives.
As a student therapist, Annie works under the supervision of a licensed professional to ensure the highest quality of care for her clients.
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Specializations:
Credentials & Experience:
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Couples
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Families (all ages of children)
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Blended families
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Non-traditional families
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Life transitions
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Mood disorders
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Adjustment disorders
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Masters of Science in Marriage and Family Therapy at University of South Florida
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Master of Science in Secondary Science Education from City University of New York-City College
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Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from Vassar College
Annie sees clients of all ages and she is skilled in working with individuals, couples, and families.
Specializations:
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Couples: Annie has received training in couples therapy and works with diverse couples facing various challenges. She uses evidence-based approaches like Gottman Method and Emotionally Focused Therapy to help couples build stronger, more fulfilling relationships.
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Families (all ages of children): Annie is skilled in working with families of all configurations and ages, addressing issues like parent-child conflict, sibling rivalry, and family communication. She tailors her approach to meet the unique needs of each family.
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Blended families: Annie has experience working with blended families, helping them navigate challenges related to step-parenting, co-parenting, and integrating new members into the family system.
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Non-traditional families: Annie is committed to providing support and understanding to non-traditional families, including LGBTQ+ families, single-parent families, and families with members who have diverse cultural backgrounds or abilities.
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Life transitions: Annie helps individuals and families navigate significant life transitions, such as divorce, remarriage, moving, career changes, and aging. She uses cognitive-behavioral and mindfulness techniques to help clients adapt to change, manage stress, and build resilience.
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Mood disorders: Annie has experience working with individuals struggling with mood disorders, such as depression and bipolar disorder. She uses evidence-based interventions like Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) to help clients manage symptoms and improve their quality of life.
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Adjustment disorders: Annie works with individuals struggling with adjustment disorders, such as difficulty coping with stressful life events or experiencing anxiety or depression related to a specific stressor. She helps clients develop healthy coping strategies and improve their emotional well-being.
Modalities:
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Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT): Annie uses CBT to help clients identify and challenge negative thought patterns, develop coping skills, and improve their emotional regulation. She works with clients to identify patterns in their thoughts, emotions, and behaviors, and helps them develop more adaptive ways of thinking and coping.
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Mindfulness: Annie incorporates mindfulness techniques into her therapy sessions to help clients develop greater awareness of their thoughts, emotions, and physical sensations. She teaches clients mindfulness practices, such as meditation and deep breathing, to help them manage stress and anxiety.
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Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT): Annie uses ACT to help clients develop psychological flexibility and acceptance of difficult emotions, thoughts, and experiences. She helps clients identify their values and develop action plans to live a more meaningful and fulfilling life, even in the presence of challenging emotions and thoughts.