- Stress and anxiety
- CBT and DBT methods
- English and Spanish
About Sylvia
Sylvia Leal is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) licensed in Connecticut and New York with over 20 years of experience. She works in English and Spanish and helps people facing stress, anxiety, depression, relationship problems, low self-esteem, and major life changes. Sylvia also addresses related concerns such as abandonment, caregiver strain, chronic illness, body image, and communication problems.
Her sessions focus on uncovering patterns that keep people stuck. She uses practical skills from cognitive behavioral therapy to change unhelpful thinking and behavior. She also teaches emotion regulation and interpersonal skills drawn from dialectical behavior therapy.
Sylvia pays attention to how early relationships affect current patterns. Attachment-based ideas help her and the person she works with look at trust, closeness, and fear of loss. She combines that with acceptance and commitment therapy to help people act in line with their values even when feelings are difficult.
Over two decades she has worked with individuals and couples on issues like divorce, commitment, codependency, and domestic violence. Her approach includes developing clearer communication, rebuilding self-worth, and practical strategies to manage symptoms and stress.
People who choose her can expect a collaborative style that aims to identify workable changes. To begin, users complete a short matching questionnaire and schedule a first session using the See online therapy options button.
How Sylvia integrates evidence-based approaches online
Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) focuses on helping people clarify what matters to them and take action in line with those values even when feelings are uncomfortable. It is often used for anxiety, low mood, and transitions. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) emphasizes identifying and changing unhelpful thoughts and behaviors through structured exercises and homework, which can help with depression, anxiety, and stress. Attachment-Based Therapy looks at how early relationships shape present patterns of trust, closeness, and communication and is useful for relationship concerns and attachment wounds.Sylvia treats finding the right approach as a collaborative process. She will discuss goals, preferences, and what has or hasn’t helped in the past, and then try methods that fit the person’s needs. Adjustments are made as therapy progresses so the work stays practical and relevant.
Confirm available session formats before booking since the biography does not specify formats. Online sessions can help fit therapy into a busy life by reducing travel time, allowing shorter check-ins during a workday, or offering options that do not require video when bandwidth is limited. Licensed professionals, including Sylvia, can use these flexible arrangements to help people practice skills between sessions and apply changes directly to daily routines.
Areas of expertise
Primary focus
Additional focus areas
Therapeutic approaches
Experience
20+ years
Listed in
New York, Connecticut
Languages
English, Spanish
Frequently asked questions
What concerns does she work with?
Sylvia works with stress, anxiety, depression, relationship issues, low self-esteem, and coping with life changes. She also addresses topics like abandonment, caregiver stress, chronic illness, and communication problems.
How would she describe her therapeutic style?
She uses a collaborative, skills-focused approach combining CBT, DBT, ACT, attachment-based work, and client-centered principles. Sessions mix practical skills training with attention to relational patterns.
How much experience does she have?
She has over 20 years of clinical experience working with individuals and couples on a range of emotional and relational concerns.
What are her credentials and location?
She holds LCSW credentials and is licensed in Connecticut and New York. Her practice is based in New York.
Which languages are supported?
Sessions are offered in English and Spanish.
Does she work with international clients?
International clients are not currently accepted.
How are sessions priced?
Cost varies with location and sessions use a subscription that can be canceled at any time.
How do I begin working with her?
Use the See online therapy options button, complete a short matching questionnaire, and schedule a first session.
Online talk therapy is not emergency care. If you are in danger, use the crisis numbers.