Feel it to heal it.
Esther Eliyahu, LSW's style
💙 Warm 🥇 Empowering 🐣 Out of the box 🤝 CollaborativeWhy Esther Eliyahu, LSW chose to be in the helping profession
I chose to become a therapist after living and working in different countries and communities, where I saw firsthand how essential mental and emotional well-being is for every person, no matter their culture, background, or life circumstances. Those experiences helped me recognize the many barriers that can make it difficult to speak openly about mental health or reach out for support, including practical, emotional, and financial challenges. I felt a strong pull to be part of changing that reality by offering a space where people can feel safe, respected, and truly heard. My goal is to create an environment that invites reflection and growth, allowing each person to better understand themselves at their own pace.
I deeply believe that choosing to work on oneself requires real courage, especially when life feels overwhelming, confusing, or painful. Showing up to therapy is not a small step, and I never take that trust for granted. It is truly an honor to walk alongside clients as they explore their experiences, strengthen their inner resources, and move toward meaningful change. I approach this work with warmth, curiosity, and humility, knowing that each person’s story is unique and deserves to be met with care and compassion.
Esther Eliyahu, LSW's approach
My approach to therapy is warm, collaborative, and centered around you and what you are going through right now. I believe that meaningful change happens when people feel truly understood, safe, and supported, rather than rushed or judged. In our work together, we focus on practical tools to help you manage emotions, cope with stress, and navigate the real challenges in your life, while also making space to explore the deeper patterns and relationships that may be holding you back. Therapy, to me, is a shared process where your experiences, goals, and values guide the direction.
I draw from approaches such as DBT, CBT, and ACT in a flexible and thoughtful way, tailoring each session to your individual needs instead of relying on a one size fits all model. My goal is to help you build insight, strengthen your confidence, and develop skills that feel useful beyond the therapy room. I want to support you in moving toward a life that feels more balanced, connected, and aligned with what truly matters to you, at a pace that feels right and respectful of where you are.
What you can expect from sessions with Esther Eliyahu, LSW
You can expect sessions to be collaborative and focused on what you are navigating, at a pace that feels right for you. There is never pressure to share more than you are ready for, and I check in regularly to make sure the direction and focus of our work continue to fit your needs. I come to each session prepared and thoughtful, while still leaving space to center whatever feels most important to you on that day. Your experience and priorities guide the process.
Together, we will spend time understanding what is coming up for you and finding practical, realistic ways to respond to stress, change, and the challenges of daily life. The process is flexible and shaped by both of us, with room for reflection as well as action. My goal is to support you not only within our sessions, but in how you navigate your life outside of therapy, so that what we build together feels meaningful and lasting.
Esther Eliyahu, LSW's experience working with the Jewish community
I have worked within Jewish communities across Europe and the United States, including the Five Towns, Monsey, Brooklyn, and Lakewood. Through these experiences, I have come to appreciate the wide range of cultures, values, and family dynamics that exist within Jewish life. I have seen how deeply personal and nuanced each community can be, and how important it is to approach every individual with openness rather than assumptions. This background allows me to meet clients with genuine sensitivity to what matters most in their world.
These experiences continue to shape the way I practice, reminding me that no two people carry the same story or perspective. I aim to honor the traditions, beliefs, and relationships that are meaningful to each client while also making space for their personal growth and individual needs. My goal is to offer support that feels both culturally attuned and deeply human, so clients can feel understood in the full context of who they are and where they come from.
Esther Eliyahu, LSW's Book Recommendation Zone
- Adult Children of Emotionally Immature Parents
A guide to understanding how emotionally unavailable or self-involved parents can shape your emotional patterns as an adult and practical ways to heal old wounds and build healthier relationships. - Hold Me Tight
A practical, research-based guide to Emotionally Focused Therapy that helps couples build deeper connection and resolve conflict through meaningful conversations. - Atomic Habits
A highly practical guide to making small, consistent changes that lead to big improvements in behavior, mindset, and daily routines.
Approaches
- Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)
- Attachment-based
- Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
- Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT)
- Motivational Interviewing
Concerns
Languages spoken
English RussianAges
AdultsPeople I work with
Women Individuals Families Couples GroupsPersonal religious affiliations
Frum open mindedJewish community experience
ExtensiveLicensed to work in
New Jersey1 years in practice
Licenses
- LSW by State Board of Social Work Examiners - NJ 2025. License number 44SL07387600
- LMSW by State Board for Social Work - NY 2025
Degrees
- MSW by Daemen University/TTI 2025
Awards
- Phi Alpha Honor Society - Social Work 2025
Trainings
- Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) by Evergreen Certifications 2025
- Trauma Professional by Evergreen Certification 2025
Affiliations
- Cerebral 2025
- InReach Behavioral Health 2025
Average costs per session
$175
Payment Methods
- Insurance
- Cash
- Credit Card
Insurances
- Aetna
- BlueCross and BlueShield
- Cigna
- Harvard Pilgrim
- MVP
- Optum
- Oxford
- United Healthcare
What people have to say about working with me:
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I’ve had the pleasure of working with Esther over the past few months after hiring her to join both our teen and adult programs, where she runs groups and provides individual therapy. She works with a very high-risk population and was thrown straight into complex, challenging cases from the start, which she has handled beautifully with professionalism, strength, and grace. Esther is exceptionally conscientious, thoughtful, and genuinely committed to growth. She actively seeks feedback, integrates it beautifully, and consistently puts learning above ego. She goes the extra mile to research, prepare, and show up fully for her clients, who truly connect with her and benefit from her work. She’s flexible, collaborative, and a real pleasure to work with. Esther has a strong backbone and brings both intelligence and heart into everything she does. Any client would be lucky to work with her.
Goldy Friedman Verified