Who I Am
Hi! My name is Alyssa Kushner, I am an LCSW (Licensed Clinical Social Worker) living in NYC!
I am extremely passionate about all things holistic wellness, mindfulness, empowering others to take care of themselves, and finding balance (action/movement & stillness/rest) within self care practices and routines.
After working on my own personal development and becoming obsessed with creating routines, fitness and lifting at the gym, yoga, breathwork and practicing mindfulness, eating nutriously, and cutting alcohol from life - I realized how much energy I felt and much more regulated and happy I was. I found that once I was able to take care of my physical self and regulate my nervous system - then the work on people pleasing, self confidence, creating boundaries, assertiveness, and self trust was so much easier and more accessible.
As a business owner and a licensed therapist, I have to practice what I preach to show up as my best self with my clients. I think it’s important to have discipline, habits, and routine at the same time balance sitting with stillness, properly resting, and holding boundaries. It can be tough!
I love empowering others to learn how anxiety, people pleasing, perfectionism, lack of boundaries, high stress, burn out, and/or alcohol use impacts their life and I’ve always been quick to teach skills, come up with questions and journal prompts, and help connect mind and body. Outside of a holistic approach, I bring trauma-informed, somatic, & mindful self compassion skills.
I will bring an energizing and exciting energy to our calls, to empower, excite, and motivate you. I will also bring my therapist brain and clinical knowledge to understand what gets in the way of change for you. I will hold space, compassionate, and empathy while also challenging you to do more. I provide feedback, ideas, guidance and will offer tangible tools to use outside of our calls.
Outside of individual coaching sessions, I love support groups and workshops - being surrounded by other people going through similar challenges makes you feel less alone or isolated. And learning practical tools, having accountability, and working toward creating lasting change - is when it becomes long term and sustainable.
I received my BA from Rutgers University in Psychology, my Master of Social Work from NYU. I have worked in multiple IOP & PHP settings, group private practice settings, work as a clinical supervisor to other therapists, and have created and led many many support groups over the years.
I currently also have a therapy practice, AK Psychotherapy - if you are interested in therapy (different and very separate from coaching) you can check out that website.
For my own self care I lift weights in the gym, practice hot yoga, enjoy long walks and hiking, cook vegetarian meals, mindfulness & breathwork, and writing. I used to play piano and sing and perform, so live music and shows will always bring me joy.
