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LMHC

Polly Mortensen, LMHC

  • Experience21 years
  • LocationNew York
  • Focus areasADHD, Stress and Anxiety, and LGBT
  • Therapy approachesClient-Centered Therapy and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
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About Polly

Polly Mortensen is a Licensed Mental Health Counselor (LMHC) practicing in New York with 21 years of professional experience. She draws on a broad background in counseling and vocational rehabilitation to support people navigating stress, anxiety, depression, trauma, relationship concerns, ADHD, and other life challenges.

Background and approach

Her career has included work in psychiatric rehabilitation, home-based therapy for clients with HIV, and services for those in foster care, which shaped a practical, strengths-based approach to helping clients move forward. Polly combines empathetic listening with evidence-based practices such as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Mindfulness, and Dialectical Behavior Therapy, tailoring sessions to each person’s needs.

She also brings vocational and rehabilitation counseling experience to conversations about career and education decisions, helping clients explore abilities and make choices that fit their goals. Known for a warm, down-to-earth style influenced by life experience and Eastern philosophy, she aims to help people reconnect with resilience and practical strategies for coping and growth.

Approach-Focused Online Care and Practical Support

Polly often uses Cognitive Behavioral Therapy to help people identify unhelpful thought patterns and develop concrete skills for managing anxiety, mood, and stress. This approach is useful for addressing depression, worry, and behavior changes by teaching practical coping tools.

She also incorporates Mindfulness Therapy to build present-moment awareness and reduce reactivity. Mindfulness practices can support emotion regulation and clearer decision-making during periods of grief, caregiving strain, or life transitions. When appropriate, Dialectical Behavior Therapy skills are introduced for emotion regulation, distress tolerance, and interpersonal effectiveness in challenging relationships.

Choosing the right approach is treated as a collaborative process. The therapist will work with clients to explore goals, preferences, and what feels most helpful in early sessions, then tailor techniques and pacing to individual needs rather than following a single formula.

Online sessions are offered as video calls, phone sessions, live chat, or text-based messaging to provide flexibility for different schedules and comfort levels. These options make it easier to fit therapy into work, family, or treatment routines while maintaining continuity of care with a licensed professional.

Frequently asked questions

What concerns does Polly commonly address?
She works with a wide range of issues including stress, anxiety, depression, trauma and abuse, relationship and family difficulties, ADHD, grief, parenting and compassion fatigue.
How would you describe her therapeutic style?
Her style is warm and client-centered, blending empathy with practical techniques drawn from CBT, DBT, mindfulness and solution-focused strategies to match each person's needs.
What is her professional background?
Polly has 21 years of experience, including work in psychiatric rehabilitation, home-based therapy for clients with HIV, foster care services, and vocational and rehabilitation counseling.
What credentials and location are listed for this therapist?
She is a Licensed Mental Health Counselor (LMHC) practicing in New York with license number NY LMHC 000426.
Does she offer sessions in languages other than English?
Sessions are offered in English; she is not listed as providing services in other languages and does not accept international clients.
Which session formats are available?
Polly offers video calls, phone sessions, live chat, and text-based messaging to accommodate different preferences and schedules.
How is cost handled for sessions?
Cost varies with location and therapist availability and services are provided through a subscription model that can be canceled at any time.
What steps are needed to begin working with her?
To get started, select the Start Therapy button, complete a brief matching questionnaire, and schedule sessions based on the therapist's availability.

Areas of expertise

Primary focus

Stress, AnxietyLGBTSelf esteemCareer difficultiesDepression

Also works with

Relationship issuesFamily conflictsTrauma and abuseGriefParenting issuesAnger managementBipolar disorderCoping with life changesCompassion fatigueADHD

Additional focus areas

AbandonmentAdoption and foster careAging and geriatric issuesAntisocial personalityAttachment issuesBody imageCaregiver issues and stressChronic pain, illness, and disabilityCodependencyCommitment issuesCommunication problemsControl issuesDivorce and separationDomestic violenceForgivenessGender dysphoriaGuilt and shameIsolation / lonelinessLife purposeMidlife crisisMood disordersNarcissismPersonality disordersPostpartum depressionPost-traumatic stressPregnancy and childbirthPrejudice and discriminationSelf-loveSocial anxiety and phobiaWomen's issuesWorkplace issuesYoung adult issues

Therapeutic approaches

Client-Centered TherapyCognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT)Mindfulness TherapyMotivational InterviewingSolution-Focused TherapyTrauma-Focused Therapy

Experience

21+ years

Licensed

New York

Languages

English

What Polly can help with

Polly Mortensen works with clients on stress and anxiety, LGBT, self esteem, career difficulties, and depression.

Polly started her career working with individuals with serious, long-term mental health challenges in a psychiatric rehabilitation focused outpatient continuing day treatment program.

Polly worked in a home-based therapy program for individuals with HIV and mental health needs.

Polly worked with children and adults receiving foster care.

Polly has experience working with individuals with trauma backgrounds and the LGBTQIA+ community.

How Polly approaches therapy

Polly's clinical approaches include Client-Centered Therapy, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), Mindfulness Therapy, Motivational Interviewing, Solution-Focused Therapy, and Trauma-Focused Therapy.

Experience and training

Polly is a Licensed Mental Health Counselor practicing in New York.