Licensed to practice in 2 states and accepts 22 insurances. Specializes in Anxiety, Coping Skills, Couples Counseling and 10 more.
(she/her)
I am a Licensed Mental Health Counselor in New York and a Licensed Professional Counselor in New Jersey with 20 years of providing successful clinical services. I have a track record of effectively working with diverse client populations and with a wide range of clinical concerns, including Dual Diagnosis, Psychiatric Disorders, Substance Use Disorders, Depression, Anxiety, At-Risk-Teens, Domestic Violence Victims, Parent/Child Relationships, Grief & Loss, and Multi-Stressed Families. I also provide Marriage and Pre-Marriage Counseling, Faith-Based and Psychoeducational Counseling. My treatment approach is a combination of Cognitive-Behavioral, Psychodynamic, Family Systems Therapy, and Client-Centered. I will tailor our dialogue and treatment plan to meet your unique and specific needs. It takes courage to seek out a more fulfilling and happier life and to take the first steps towards a change. I am here to support & empower you in that journey.
In our initial sessions, we will focus on getting to know one another and understanding what has brought you to therapy. I will ask questions to learn about your current concerns, personal history, strengths, and goals, while also giving you space to share at your own pace. These sessions often include completing a brief assessment so I can better understand how to support you moving forward.
My therapeutic style is warm and collaborative. I work with clients to improve relationship issues, communication skills, rebuilding trust, intimacy-related issues, family conflicts, forgiveness, motivation & self-esteem, self-care, and confidence. I am passionate about developing positive and productive relationships with clients to effectively serve their counseling needs and to encourage their total wellness. I believe in treating everyone with respect, sensitivity, and compassion.
I am best positioned to support individuals and couples who are seeking greater clarity, emotional balance, self-care, and healthier relationships. My work often focuses on communication challenges, relationship repair, personal growth, and navigating life stressors. I work well with clients who are open to self-reflection and willing to explore new perspectives and strategies for change.
Other specialties
I identify as
Cash - $100 per session
Aetna
Aetna - Allied Benefits
Aetna - ASR Health Benefits
Aetna - Luminare
Aetna - Moda
Aetna - WebTPA
Aetna – HealthEZ
Amerihealth Administrators
Anthem
Arlo
Blue Cross Blue Shield
Centivo
Cigna
Cigna - HealthEZ
EAP:Cigna
EAP:Evernorth
Evernorth
GTEB
Horizon
Independence Administrators
Independence Blue Cross
Tufts Health/Cigna
Cognitive Behavioral (CBT)
I utilize CBT to help clients identify and challenge unhelpful thought patterns, develop healthier coping strategies, and make meaningful behavioral changes. I also incorporate behavioral techniques such as activity scheduling, skill-building and psychoeducation.
Couples Counseling
In couples therapy, I work collaboratively with both partners to strengthen communication, deepen understanding, and support emotional and relational healing. I provide a safe, respectful space where each person’s voice is heard and valued. I integrate evidence-based methods such as emotionally focused and communication-focused strategies, along with family systems and client-centered therapy. I work with couples to explore patterns that may be causing conflict, identify underlying needs and emotions, and develop practical tools for healthier interaction.
Faith based therapy
Faith-based counseling is offered as an integrated and client-centered approach, not a one-size-fits-all model. I believe faith can be a meaningful source of strength, hope, and resilience, and I respect each client’s values, beliefs, and spiritual journey. I incorporate faith or spiritual elements when clients express interest and give consent. Therapy remains grounded in evidence-based modalities such as CBT, Family Systems, and Emotionally Focused approaches, while faith is used as an additional resource for healing and growth. Sessions focus on how faith intersects with real-life challenges such as communication, marriage, parenting, emotional regulation, grief, anxiety, and depression.
9 ratings with written reviews
June 25, 2026
Ms. Blackwell made the introduction of my story seamless to tell. I felt no pressure. I felt completely comfortable and supported sharing my grief and giving voice to my feelings. It was easily the best first-session I've had in my 3 years of doing therapy. I'm excited to continue.
June 22, 2026
Following our first meeting, I am so impressed by Sahntanya Blackwell. She was calm, clear, and concise in asking questions to collect relevant details about me to understand my therapy goals. Our conversation stayed on track and she easily pulled out key details of what I shared and provided meaningful feedback and resources. I did not feel rushed, and I felt very understood. I was pleased by how warm yet professional our session felt. I look forward to our next meeting.
June 17, 2026
Just started today...Sahntanyna was very warm and very nice I look forward to our next session.