(She/Her/Ella)Amy Carbajal-Herrera
Clinical Fellow
Meet Amy
¡Hola! My name is Amy, and I’m so glad you’re considering taking the next step in your healing journey. I know it can feel scary to sit across from a stranger and open up about things we often keep to ourselves. That’s why I want to share a bit about who I am—not just as a therapist, but as a person.
One of the most important parts of my identity is my heritage and the roots that have shaped me. I’m a proud Honduran-American, a daughter of immigrants, and a first-generation student. While I now feel empowered by my cultural identity, that hasn’t always been the case. Growing up in the suburbs outside of NYC, I frequently found myself in predominantly white spaces where I felt the pressure to code-switch, explain myself, or shrink parts of who I was in order to fit in. These experiences deepened my commitment to making sure others feel seen, heard, and valued exactly as they are.
Another meaningful part of my identity comes from my experience as a client sitting on the other side of the therapy room. When I first sought help for my own mental health, I felt overwhelmed and unsure if recovery was even possible. I know the weight of wondering, “Will anyone ever understand what’s going on inside my head?” or “What if this feeling never goes away?” At the time, the idea of therapy felt foreign, confusing, and honestly, even scary. I personally felt misunderstood and alone when my mind was racing. Going through that journey without a clear roadmap and working with therapists who didn’t understand who I was or where I came from was painful. Those experiences inspired me to become the resource I wish I had.
My own journey has given me a unique perspective on what it’s like to live with mental health challenges, and it guides the way I support my clients. Whether you’re navigating intrusive thoughts, feeling caught between two cultures, or simply overwhelmed by the stress of daily life, I understand how exhausting it can be to hold things together when everything feels like it’s falling apart. Through our therapeutic relationship, I’ll be here to help you every step of the way on your journey to healing.
SpecializationsADHD, Anxiety, Perfectionism, Burnout, Couples, and Women's Issues
I specialize in working with ambitious women, high achievers, and marginalized communities who experience:
Anxiety and chronic stress
Perfectionism and imposter syndrome
Burnout and emotional exhaustion
Disconnection from purpose despite outward success
Cycles of shame and self-criticism
Many clients come to therapy feeling stuck in patterns of overachieving while feeling unfulfilled. Together, we create space to break these cycles and reconnect with what matters most.
My Approach to Therapy
At the heart of my approach is the belief that healing is possible for everyone, and that therapy can be a space where you transition from simply surviving to truly thriving.
Evidence-Based Therapy Approaches in New York
My clinical approach combines relational psychodynamic therapy with evidence-based modalities including Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT). This integrative approach helps clients find relief from anxiety, chronic stress, and burnout while addressing the root causes of emotional patterns.
For couples therapy in NYC, I specialize in Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT), helping partners transform conflict into deeper connection, repair relationship ruptures, and build secure attachment.
Warm, Collaborative, Trauma-Informed Therapy Style
Working with me is a collaborative process: we’ll explore your concerns, clarify your goals, and move at a pace that feels right for you. My priority is to bring warmth, curiosity, and compassion to the work we do together as I understand from personal experience that saying yes to therapy can be one of the hardest first steps.
That’s why I aim to guide you through this process with both the clinical expertise of a therapist and the insight that comes from having been a client myself. It’s an honor to sit with people as they explore the deeper parts of themselves. My promise is to welcome your full, authentic self always whenever we are in the therapeutic space.
My Credentials
Mental Health Counselor- Limited Permit
Limited Permit Number: P138018
Master of Education and Master of Arts in Mental Health Counseling with a concentration in Bilingual Latinx Mental Health - Teachers College, Columbia University
Bachelor of Arts in Psychology with a concentration in Cognitive Science Studies - Marist University