Budy Whitfield Psychotherapy, LCSW

Budy (pronounced Beauty) Whitfield is a licensed clinical social worker based in Westchester County, New York. Her first priority with a new client is ensuring that they feel safe, heard, and like an equal partner in the therapy process. As a seasoned telehealth provider, she offers the convenience of remote sessions to help make therapy a core component of self-care goals. Budy is certified in Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT). TF-CBT is a therapeutic intervention designed to help children, adolescents, and their parents overcome the impact of traumatic events.

Specialties

General Mental Health
Anxiety and Panic Disorders
Depression
General relationship challenges (family, friends, co-workers)
Trauma and Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)

Pay with insurance

UnitedHealthcare
Oxford Health Plans
Aetna
UMR
Oscar
UHC Student Resources
AllSavers UHC
Harvard Pilgrim

Pay out-of-pocket

$ $ $ $ $

$140-200
Sliding Scale

A sliding scale is a range of out of pocket fees that providers accept based on financial need.

Licensed in

New York

“My approach is rooted in cognitive behavioral therapy, an evidence-based approach that focuses on helping clients understand how their thoughts, feelings, and behaviors are interconnected so that they can begin to make the targeted change.”

What was your path to becoming a therapist?

I am a first-generation, bilingual, Latinx therapist with over 16 years of experience in the social work field. I hold a position as a senior leader for a nonprofit organization, serving children and families with complex trauma. I started my telehealth career at the height of the COVID-19 pandemic as a way to support many who were overwhelmed by isolation, job loss, and fear. I used my years of training in trauma and crisis intervention to support many healthcare workers experiencing vicarious trauma while providing information on trauma to for-profit organizations. I am trained in trauma-focused cognitive behavioral therapy (TF-CBT), crisis intervention, cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), solution-focused therapy, and behavioral health assessments. I am also a podcaster and life coach.

What should someone know about working with you?

My approach is rooted in cognitive behavioral therapy, an evidence-based approach that focuses on helping clients understand how their thoughts, feelings, and behaviors are interconnected so that they can begin to make the targeted change. I am a strong believer that the therapeutic alliance is very important: You are filled with vulnerability and so the client-therapist relationship should be filled with respect and empathy. My therapy style is interactive and homework will be assigned at times. I will provide you with worksheets during the session and follow up at the next scheduled session. I believe clients should see their journaling and session assignments as tools that allow them to go back and reflect on where they started and the progress made. Change takes time, so I will encourage you to be gentle with yourself.

How do your core values shape your approach to therapy?

As a first-generation Latinx, I view the world holistically. My adverse childhood experiences have shaped the way I advocate for mental health in the Black and Brown communities.

What are you most excited about within the evolving mental health landscape?

I love providing telehealth services, which have made it easier for those with busy lives to show up authentically to sessions. The client should feel comfortable and what better way to be comfortable than in your own space? I enjoy trauma work and my favorite book is The Body Keeps the Score.

“I am a strong believer that the therapeutic alliance is very important: You are filled with vulnerability and so the client-therapist relationship should be filled with respect and empathy.”

Interested in speaking with Budy?