A trauma and relationship therapist lying down with brown hair, smiling, wearing a maroon top and earrings, on a gray textured surface.

You’ve tuned into others’ needs for comfort, love, and survival, but now you’re disconnected and can’t trust yourself.

You deserve a therapeutic space where you can connect with your authentic self and focus on your needs.

My goal as a trauma and relationship therapist is to create a safe and supportive environment to facilitate this process. I am attuned to the ways that identity, power, and privilege impact our daily experiences and relationships.

Meet Julie Koven, Ph.D.

Trauma and Relationship Therapist in NYC

LGBTQ+ & Nonmonogamy Affirming Therapy

My Approach to Trauma and Relationship Therapy

My approach is trauma-informed, evidence-based, and individualized to meet your personal needs and goals.
The primary modalities I use include:

  • ​Psychodynamic therapy: I help clients gain insight into their past experiences, explore causes of emotional distress, and better understand current patterns in their behaviors and/or relationships.
     

  • Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT): I bring in CBT to help clients develop tools to make lasting changes to their unhelpful thought patterns and behaviors and help improve the way that they are feeling.
     

  • Acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT): Are you feeling overwhelmed or unproductive? I use ACT for clients who may benefit from slowing down, clarifying their values, and directing their actions with intention.

If you’re feeling stuck and not getting your needs met, let’s explore what might be getting in the way!

My Core Values as a Therapist

  • compass star

    Authenticity

    You deserve a space to be fully yourself – not shaped by expectations, social scripts, or other people’s needs.

  • Curiosity

    Let’s notice what’s coming up and be curious about where it’s coming from without shame or judgment.

  • Experimentation

    You can feel seen, understood, and accepted while you try new ways of being. Learn that relationships can be different.

  • Inclusivity

    Every part of you is welcome here. Your identities, your tisms, your trauma. You are not a problem to be fixed.

  • Vulnerability

    Moving at your pace, we’ll talk honestly about the things that have felt difficult to say out loud. You can feel lighter.

  • Intentionality

    You can make conscious choices about how you want to live and love based on what matters to you.

Areas of Specialization

Education & Training

Julie Koven, Ph.D.
Licensed Psychologist
Ph.D. in Counseling Psychology
10+ years of clinical experience

  • Postdoctoral Fellowship, Providence College, Personal Counseling Center, 2021-2022
    Postdoctoral training in the treatment of depression, anxiety, substance abuse, sexuality, religious trauma, family conflict, suicide assessment and crisis intervention

    Doctoral Internship, University of New Hampshire, Psychological & Counseling Services, 2020-2021
    Advanced doctoral training in evidence-based and solution-focused counseling, including cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) and acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT)

    Neuropsychological Assessment, University of Massachusetts Boston, UMB-UR-BEST, 2019-2020
    Doctoral-level training in the administration of culturally-sensitive and evidence-based cognitive and psychological testing and integrative report writing

    Domestic Violence Sanctuary, Women Against Abuse
    Masters-level training in trauma-informed psychotherapy, career counseling, group counseling, crisis intervention, and assessment for post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)

  • In addition to clinical practice, I am passionate about teaching psychology and counseling skills to undergraduate and graduate students.

    I have taught courses in Abnormal Psychology, Foundations of Counseling, Group Counseling, Sex and Sexuality in Counseling Practice, Sociocultural Considerations in Counseling, and Psychological Assessment and Diagnosis.

  • My research has focused on positive sexuality development in women, sexual assault prevention, and exploring the nuances of sexual consent.

    Publications:

    • Bonilla, S., Natarajan, M., Koven, J., White, L., & Lamb, S. (2023). The discourse of being ‘triggered’: Uses and meanings among counselling students. Counselling and Psychotherapy Research, 23(2).

    • Lamb, S., Koven, J. (2019). Sexualization of girls: Addressing criticism of the APA report, presenting new evidence. SAGE Open Access, 9(4).

    • Lamb, S., & Koven, J. (2019). Adolescent female desire: Influences on the construction of agency and desire. In T. L. Tylka & N. Piran (Eds.), Handbook of positive body image: Constructs, protective factors, and interventions. New York: Oxford University Press.

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Licensure

Licensed Psychologist (#025939) in New York

Licensed Psychologist (#35SI00797200) in New Jersey

Education

Doctorate in Counseling Psychology (APA Accredited)
University of Massachusetts Boston, 2021

Master’s in Professional Counseling
University of Pennsylvania, Graduate School of Education, 2015

Master’s in Counseling and Mental Health Services
University of Pennsylvania, Graduate School of Education, 2014

No default scripts.
Not trauma-driven choices.
Something intentional.

Start your therapy journey today.

Contact information:

Email juliekovenphd@gmail.com
Call or text 929.489.1160

BOOK A FREE CONSULTATION HERE

you deserve to feel seen and empowered

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you deserve to feel seen and empowered —