nikitafernandes

I am a Licensed Mental Health Therapist and AASECT Certified Sex Therapist based in New York City. I graduated with my Master’s in Counseling in Mental Health and Wellness and a dual degree in LGBT Health, Education, and Social Services from New York University. I also hold a Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology with a background in Women and Gender Studies from George Mason University. I identify as a queer South Asian immigrant woman. I’m also neurodivergent and non-monogamous. Aside from being a therapist, I have volunteered as a crisis counselor for the Trevor Project, worked as a graduate assistant for the New York University LGBTQ+ Center, and helped in the planning of social justice conferences.

I approach therapy with the intention to understand and connect with my clients as fellow humans. My own journey as a queer South Asian neurodivergent woman, along with the experiences of those close to me, deeply shape my approach. Building a genuine relationship with my clients is my top priority, as I believe it is the biggest predictor of therapeutic success. As a person of color, I actively challenge oppressive structures that have long been dominated by Western white culture. Jiddu Krishnamurti said that it is no measure of health to be adjusted to a society that is profoundly sick and I do not see therapy as a way to numb the pain that is caused by systemic oppression but rather a way to empower clients to have compassion for themselves.