About Joana
I’m Joana Bakiasi, a Licensed Mental Health Counselor (LMHC) in New York. I work with adults and couples navigating anxiety, relationships and life transitions.
My path into this work started with my own questions: how to make sense of the world, and why people relate to each other the way they do. Long, deep conversations with my father showed me early on how much there is to understand beneath the surface, and that curiosity has stayed with me ever since.
How I work
My work combines Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) with a psychodynamic approach. ACT focuses on building flexibility: noticing difficult thoughts and feelings without being run by them, and acting in line with what you value. The psychodynamic side means we’ll also reflect on your upbringing and past experiences, and how they echo in the present.
I aim to be warm, direct and collaborative. You set the pace, and we figure out the plan together.
Training
- Master’s degree in Forensic Mental Health Counseling
- Licensed Mental Health Counselor (LMHC), New York State
- Currently completing EMDR basic training
Where I practice
I currently see clients through Jamron Counseling, in person and online across New York State.