Polly Mortensen, LMHC
Licensed New York therapist focused on resilience
- Stress and anxiety
- LGBT and relationships
- Career and life transitions
About Polly Mortensen
Polly Mortensen is a Licensed Mental Health Counselor (LMHC) based in New York who brings more than two decades of clinical experience to her work. She holds a master's degree in counseling and community psychology and combines professional training with a warm, empathetic presence to support people through stressful life changes, relationship struggles, grief, trauma, and a range of mood and anxiety concerns.
Her career has included work in psychiatric rehabilitation outpatient programs, home-based therapy for individuals with HIV and mental health needs, and services for children and adults in foster care. She has experience supporting people with trauma histories and has provided counseling for members of the LGBTQIA+ community. In addition to mental health counseling, she has a long background in vocational and rehabilitation counseling across New York and Florida, helping people with disabilities pursue education, employment, and greater independence.
Polly integrates person-centered principles with evidence-based methods such as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Mindfulness-based techniques, and Dialectical Behavior Therapy, tailoring each approach to the client’s specific goals. Her style draws on life experience, Eastern philosophy, and a commitment to helping clients discover resilience and practical strategies for growth. She focuses on collaboration and individualized care to help people move forward from whatever is holding them back.
Her career has included work in psychiatric rehabilitation outpatient programs, home-based therapy for individuals with HIV and mental health needs, and services for children and adults in foster care. She has experience supporting people with trauma histories and has provided counseling for members of the LGBTQIA+ community. In addition to mental health counseling, she has a long background in vocational and rehabilitation counseling across New York and Florida, helping people with disabilities pursue education, employment, and greater independence.
Polly integrates person-centered principles with evidence-based methods such as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Mindfulness-based techniques, and Dialectical Behavior Therapy, tailoring each approach to the client’s specific goals. Her style draws on life experience, Eastern philosophy, and a commitment to helping clients discover resilience and practical strategies for growth. She focuses on collaboration and individualized care to help people move forward from whatever is holding them back.
Areas of Expertise
Primary Focus
Also Specializes In
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 Approach
Client-Centered Therapy Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) Mindfulness Therapy Motivational Interviewing Solution-Focused Therapy Trauma-Focused Therapy
Frequently Asked Questions
How much experience does Polly Mortensen have?
Polly Mortensen has 21 years of experience.
Is Polly Mortensen a licensed therapist?
Yes. Polly Mortensen is an LMHC - a Licensed Mental Health Counselor. License details: NY LMHC 000426.
In which languages does Polly Mortensen provide therapy?
Polly Mortensen provides therapy in English.
Where is Polly Mortensen located?
Polly Mortensen is located in New York.
How can I work with Polly Mortensen as my therapist?
You can work with Polly Mortensen through video calls, phone sessions, live chat, or text-based messaging.
Does Polly Mortensen work with international clients?
Polly Mortensen does not currently work with international clients.
How much does therapy with Polly Mortensen cost?
The cost of therapy can vary depending on factors such as your location and the therapist's availability. Sessions are billed through a subscription that can be canceled at any time, for any reason. For current details, click the "Start Therapy" button on this page.
How can I get started with therapy?
Getting started with therapy is quick and straightforward. Click the "Start Therapy" button and complete a short questionnaire that helps match you with your therapist. Depending on availability, you can then schedule your first session, which may take place by phone, video call, live chat, or in-app messaging.
Therapeutic approaches for online care and growth
Polly Mortensen uses client-centered therapy to create a supportive, nonjudgmental space where clients lead the conversation and goals are shaped around their values and needs. This approach helps people who need empathy and acceptance while navigating life transitions, relationship challenges, or identity concerns.
She also applies Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) to help clients identify unhelpful thoughts and behaviors and develop practical strategies for managing anxiety, depression, and stress. CBT focuses on skill-building and concrete steps that can reduce distress and improve daily functioning.
Mindfulness-based techniques are woven into her work to increase present-moment awareness and stress tolerance, which can be useful for coping with trauma, chronic worry, and emotional reactivity.
Finding the right approach is a collaborative process - Polly will work with each person to determine which methods fit their goals, preferences, and life circumstances. She adapts interventions over time as needs change.
Online therapy offers flexibility through video calls, phone sessions, live chat, and text-based messaging, making it easier to fit care into a busy schedule, to access consistent support from home, and to maintain momentum between sessions. For many people, these options increase accessibility and make it simpler to engage in ongoing therapeutic work with licensed professionals and therapists.