Sona Abdullayeva

LMSW

Pronouns: She/Her/Hers

Areas of Expertise: QTBIPOC, LGBTQ+, ADHD, anxiety, depression, complex trauma, kink and sex worker affirming 

Types of Therapy Offered: Individual (adults and youth), relationship therapy, family therapy, sex therapy.

License: NYS LMSW license #127877

About Me: I come to therapy with the belief that our identities, histories, and everyday realities are never separate from our mental health – they shape it. As a trans woman and an immigrant, I know what it’s like to navigate systems that weren’t made for us, and what it means to carve out space where we can actually be seen.

My background in mental health began with a Psychology degree from Moscow State University, and later, a Master’s in Clinical Social Work from Hunter College with a specialization in sexuality and gender. Along the way, I’ve worked closely with LGBTQ+ youth and young adults – supporting folks through identity formation, self-advocacy, coming out, coping with family rejection, homophobia and transphobia, anxiety, trauma, and the very real work of staying soft in a world that can feel hard.

My approach to therapy draws from multiple traditions. I use tools from cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) to support clients in noticing unhelpful patterns and building new ways of thinking and coping. I bring in psychodynamic insights to explore how past experiences and relationships shape our present.

Grounded in liberation psychology and ecological systems theory, I also pay close attention to the systems around us – how power, culture, and institutions impact our mental health, and how we can navigate those forces while remaining our authentic selves. My style is affirming, supportive, and politically aware, and my practice is rooted in anti-oppressive, trauma-informed, client-centered approaches that prioritize your lived experience.