Wendy Kesel

Wendy Kesel is a licensed social worker in New York with 26 years of experience. She helps people facing stress, anxiety, relationship strain, parenting challenges, and anger. Wendy aims to make taking the first step less daunting by offering steady support as clients begin to change.

She creates an open, nonjudgmental space where thoughts and feelings can be named and talked through. Conversations focus on practical next steps that fit each person’s life. She uses clear, down-to-earth language so clients leave sessions with something they can try right away.

Wendy draws on a mix of approaches to match what each person needs. She may use Cognitive Behavioral Therapy to notice unhelpful thinking patterns, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy to clarify values and action, or Attachment-Based ideas to understand relationship patterns. These approaches are applied in simple, concrete ways rather than as abstract theory.

Her practice also addresses a wide range of related concerns, including grief, trauma and abuse, ADHD, self-esteem, career challenges, bipolar and depression, and issues around intimacy. Wendy supports people dealing with adoption and foster care histories, caregiver stress, body image, and aging issues among others.

She works in English and is based in New York. The focus in sessions is on helping people find manageable strategies, build skills, and take steps that reflect their goals and values.

How Wendy’s approaches translate to online work

Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) focuses on clarifying what matters most and taking small steps that match those values. It helps people who feel stuck by turning values into concrete actions rather than getting caught in unhelpful thoughts. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) looks at how thoughts, feelings, and behavior interact and teaches simple techniques to change patterns that cause distress. It is often used for anxiety, anger, and mood concerns. Attachment-Based Therapy pays attention to how early relationships shape expectations and reactions in current relationships, which can help with intimacy, communication, and trust issues.

Choosing an approach is part of the work together. Wendy will talk with each person about goals, preferences, and what feels most useful. She combines methods as needed and checks in regularly so the plan stays relevant and practical.

If you are considering online therapy, confirm the current session options before booking. Online work can make scheduling easier and help fit sessions into busy days. It also allows for quieter check-ins that don’t require travel and shorter sessions when a quick touch-base is most helpful. Licensed professionals can adapt ACT, CBT, and attachment-focused work to remote conversations, focusing on skill practice, values-based assignments, and relationship reflections that fit into everyday life.