Transforming mental and sexual health conversations, one session at a time.
Our Therapists
Madeline Cooper, LCSW, CST (she/her/hers) - Founder and Psychotherapist
When I entered college and ultimately graduate school, I began to learn about the many misconceptions about sexuality and mental health and what is perceived as “normal” versus “abnormal” – and how many of these I believed for most of my life. Many of us are unprepared for healthy, loving, romantic relationships and as a society, continue to adopt puritan, outdated notions surrounding sexuality. Up until my early 20s, I will admit that I fed into the shame surrounding mental health treatment. I became a psychotherapist and sex therapist to help people learn about and challenge these misconceptions and promote a positive outlook on mental health treatment. My work revolves around creating a space for clients where sexual health and mental health are just as important as one’s physical wellbeing.
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I received my B.S. at Cornell University and my M.S.W. at Columbia University. I am a licensed clinical social worker (LCSW), an AASECT certified sex therapist and am a graduate of the University of Michigan’s Sexual Health Sex Therapy Certificate Program. I have also completed Levels 1 and 2 of EMDRIA-approved EMDR training through the Personal Transformation Institute. I am a member of the Society for Sex Therapy and Research (SSTAR), the Clinician's Collective of New York City, and the Women's Mental Health Consortium. I have guest lectured at academic institutions, non-profit organizations, and independent wellness retreats.
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In her own words: Like so many of my peers and colleagues, discussing sexuality, healthy relationships and mental health was taboo when I was growing up. Other sources, from middle school gossip and tenth grade health class, informed my basic understanding of these issues, and they often left me more confused. I was taught that sex was only for people “in love,” or married, that orgasms always happened like they do in movies, that masturbation was “kind of weird,” that only "messed up people" had mental health issues...I could go on and on. These misconceptions made navigating the social landscape of young adulthood that much harder.
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Rebecca Nussbaum, LMSW (she/her/hers) - Associate Psychotherapist
In her own words:
I specialize in working with both individuals who are struggling to manage anxiety and looking to improve self esteem; and couples who with concerns and/or changes in their sexual relationship. As a therapist, I often explore how the messaging we receive, based on our gender, shapes the expectations we have of ourselves and impacts the relationship we have with our body, ideas of health, sex, and self worth.
Our sessions may include identifying coping skills to manage anxiety, considering relationship patterns & family dynamics, or even breaking down the latest post you saw on social media that either really resonated or hit a nerve. As your therapist, I will support you in unlocking self-compassion and empowerment to assist you in creating a life you love. I often find that clients have the guidance and answers they were searching for within them all along, and just needed a safe space to be vulnerable, reflect, and begin to grow and heal.
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My approach is humanistic and simple; to connect with you while you reconnect with yourself. Developing a deeper self-knowing through therapy provides you with important insights that can empower you to make the changes you seek.
Romi Terk, LMSW (she/her/hers) - Associate Psychotherapist
In her own words: It takes immense courage to confront the pervasive messages we internalize around our sexuality, gender, identities, and bodies. Through challenging these societal scripts and expectations, we cultivate the opportunity to rewrite our belief systems in a way that’s informed by self-acceptance and curiosity as opposed to shame and judgment.
Therapy is an excellent resource for reclaiming our narratives, rediscovering our strengths, attuning to our needs, and facilitating changes that enable us to nourish more fulfilling lives and relationships. Some examples of my work include supporting individuals and couples who are navigating mismatched desire, facing barriers in communication, feeling emotionally or sexually disconnected, or struggling with pelvic pain. I also work with adults who are processing trauma, experiencing anxiety symptoms, and encountering life transitions. As a multicultural individual, I enjoy meeting with clients from diverse backgrounds in a safe and inclusive environment.
I received my MSW from Columbia University and am currently enrolled in the University of Michigan's Sexual Health Certificate Program. I incorporate tools from an array of evidence-based practices and strive to remain up-to-date on new developments in mental, sexual, and relational health, bringing the most current and holistic approaches to our sessions.
Kelsea Verdi, LMSW (they/she) - Associate Psychotherapist
In their own words:
As a queer & nonbinary identifying practitioner implementing an intersectional feminist, decolonizing framework, crafting inclusionary environments where one feels welcomed, celebrated and supported is a focal point in my practice. I place emphasis on cultivating meaningful connections with clients that are founded in mindfulness and trust. Using modalities such as polyvagal theory, Internal Family Systems, and sensate focus, I prioritize a holistic approach to healing that embodies the mind, body and spirit.
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I am particularly passionate about working within the LGBTQIA+ community, with those who have experienced gender-based violence and/or sexual trauma, and with couples & polycules while using Kink/BDSM/Poly affirming beliefs. As a survivor, I always bring in a trauma lens and center safety and the abolishment of shame in our work.
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Taking the time to make space, explore, and reclaim one's sexual and gender identities is one of the most liberating components of this work. You will always be honored as the expert in your experience, without judgement, and I look forward to being a part of this sacred journey with you.
Psychotherapy
Opening up and going to therapy can be a scary experience, but we strive to make it a safe and worthwhile experience for everyone who comes to the practice. We work with individuals and often their partner or partners to set goals that will work best within their lives. We challenge our clients but also support them in living their most authentic lives, and always provide a non-judgmental, listening ear.
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Our therapists have years of experience working in outpatient mental health clinics, school settings, agencies, and group practices. We are well versed in different therapeutic approaches and have worked with individuals with a wide range of mental health diagnoses. Rather than using one method with all clients, we are integrative in our approach with each client depending on their specific needs.
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These approaches include but are not limited to:
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Psychodynamic therapy
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Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT)
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Trauma-focused cognitive behavioral therapy (TF-CBT)
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Motivational interviewing
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Mindfulness
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EMDR
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Along with issues related to sexual health, our therapists also treat individuals managing:
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Anxiety and Stress
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Depression
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Difficult Life Transitions
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Pregnancy and Post-Partum Issues
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Difficult familial dynamics
Education
We are able to provide lectures and lead discussions in schools, non-profits, workplaces, and other institutions that would like further consent education, anti-harassment education, mental health education, social justice education, and of course, sexuality education. Please feel free to reach out to us for further details and we are happy to give examples of lectures given in the past.
Sex Therapy
Let’s start with what sex therapy is NOT. Sex therapy is not sex work or sex surrogacy. There is no having sex or engaging in sexual activity in therapy. While I support the work of sex workers and sex surrogates, this is not what we do.
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Sex therapy is talk therapy, otherwise known as psychotherapy. While sexuality, intimacy and relationship dynamics play a key role in our lives, so many people are afraid and hesitant to talk about these topics. As practice that specializes in sexual health, we are here to help you give you a safe space to talk about your sexual and mental health and develop coping skills to handle issues you want to address.
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Our areas of specialty include helping:
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Individuals struggling with desire, arousal, orgasm, and painful sex issues
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Couples suffering from a breakdown in communication
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Individuals and couples navigating non-monogamy
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Individuals whose negative body images are impacting their sexual and mental health
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Individuals with Out of Control Sexual Behaviors ("sex addiction," "porn addiction")
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Women having difficulty with sexuality during pregnancy and postpartum
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Individuals, couples, and partners challenged by kink interests
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Survivors recovering from sexual trauma
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Couples coping with Infidelity
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Individuals needing LGBTQ-affirmative therapy
FAQs
What makes you qualified to be my therapist?
Madeline received her B.S. at Cornell University and her M.S.W. at Columbia University. She is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW); in order to become an LCSW, she had to conduct 2,000 hours of psychotherapy and diagnosis and a minimum of 100 hours of clinical supervision over the span of 3 years. Madeline is also an AASECT certified sex therapist. This means she has taken over 150 hours of sexual health education courses and have completed more than two years of supervision while providing many hours of sex therapy.
Rebecca received her B.S. at the University of Maryland and her M.S.W. at New York University. She is a Licensed Master Social Worker (LMSW), and has been working in private practice for multiple years with a diverse client population and also served as Assistant Director for Workforce Programs at The New Jewish Home.
Romi received her B.A. at Tel Aviv University and her M.S.W. at Columbia University. She is a Licensed Master Social Worker (LMSW) and has experience working at a private practice, in school settings, and at a university counseling center.
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Are you willing to see both my partner(s) and me?
Yes! We welcome all individuals and their partner or partners to therapy.
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Are my sessions confidential?
Everything you say during therapy is confidential and kept within our space. There are three exceptions to this rule: if you are a danger to yourself, a danger to others, and if we suspect abuse or neglect of a child.
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Do you take insurance?
We are an out of network provider, and we do not take insurance at this time. However, we can help you with any out of network benefits you may have and will help you work with your insurance company to receive any reimbursement they provide for the services.
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Where do you work?
We provide therapy online at this time. We conduct teletherapy, which means we meet on a secure video platform online so we can still see each other during sessions. Madeline is licensed to work individuals throughout New York, New Jersey, Connecticut, and Florida and Rebecca and Romi are licensed to work with individuals in New York and Connecticut.
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How can I contact you?
Please feel free to call us at 917-719-4761 or fill out the contact page below. You can have a 15-minute free phone consultation before getting started with your therapist.
Media
-- Featured in "What No One Tells You About Sex After Breast Cancer"
- Featured in "19 of the Best Wand Vibrators, According to Sex Experts"
-- Featured in "A Case for Fingering Yourself Instead of Using a Vibrator"
-- Featured in "22 Signs You're Falling in Love, According to Therapists"
-- Featured in "Why a Sex Journal Might Be Right for You -- And How to Do It"
-- Featured in "30 Ideas to Spice Up Sexual Foreplay, from Erotic to Romantic"
-- Featured in "Masturbating Can Help You Cope with Anxiety -- Seriously"
-- Featured in "How to Orgasm Faster: 21 Techniques for Women to Try"
- Featured in "5 Things Couples With Healthy Sex Lives Do, According to a Sex Therapist"
- Featured in "Why You're Self Sabotaging Your Relationship & 4 Ways to Stop"
- Featured in "The Best Sex Toys for Couples, According to Sex Therapists and Relationship Experts"
- Featured in "How to Safely Pull Hair During Sex"
For all press and media inquiries, please fill out the Contact form below.
Contact Form
Please feel free to fill out the contact sheet below or call 917-719-4761. We can have a 15-minute free phone consultation before we get started.