Ellen  Carni
Vetted

Ellen Carni

Psychologist, PhD Specialties Insurance & Fees Locations
New York Accepting Online
Upper West Side Accepting In-person
Updated January 22, 2024

Specialties & Expertise

  • Depression
  • Anxiety
  • Trauma
  • Life transitions
  • Loss and grief
  • Relationships
  • Work stress and burnout

Professional statement

Dr. Ellen Carni is a licensed Clinical Psychologist experienced in working with adults at all stages of the lifespan. She specializes in working with people who have had mothers who can't love, including those mothers who are emotionally harmful, depriving, disapproving and controlling.  She helps her clients transform their childhood wounds -- e.g. low self-esteem, co-dependency and self-sabotage -- into peace, power and wisdom. Dr. Carni also works with grief, anxiety, depression, trauma and burnout, particularly for attorneys and others in fast-paced fields. 

Drawing on her expertise as a relational psychoanalyst, Dr. Carni works collaboratively and pragmatically to help clients explore the influence of their early lives on personality, relationships, and stressful situations. It is her wish that her clients will become their “own therapist,” empowered with the tools to improve their relationships, career and overall life satisfaction.

People who work with Dr. Carni describe her as compassionate, a good listener and easy to talk to about difficult concerns. She creates a respectful and non judgmental therapeutic space.  Dr. Carni is passionate about practicing psychotherapy and looks forward to working with you on a teletherapy platform until she can return to her Upper West Side office, conveniently located on West 86th Street.


Message to clients

It can feel daunting to find a therapist with whom you can feel comfortable. I work with you early on to help you feel safe. I do my best to help you develop greater trust in yourself and others, greater self-confidence and healthy self-assertion. My objective is to assist you in finding the resources within yourself to achieve your true potential, accomplish personal and professional goals and lead a life worth celebrating. I welcome you to reach out.
’Once we believe in ourselves, we can risk curiosity, wonder, spontaneous delight or an experience that reveals the human spirit.
—E.E. Cummings’


Specialties

Depression - Providing support and promoting healing of hopelessness, low motivation and energy, sadness, irritability, sleep disturbance, and loss of interest and pleasure in life

Anxiety - Coping with excessive worry, nervousness, or stress; intense discomfort in social settings (social anxiety); sudden and intense feelings of panic (panic disorder)

Trauma - Coping and healing after threatening or scary events, such as witnessing accidents or experiencing sexual, verbal, emotional, or physical abuse

Life transitions - Coping with difficult or impactful life changes, such as moving to a new area, relationship transitions, child rearing, or career changes; learning self-care to better manage resulting stress

Loss and grief - Emotionally preparing for the anticipated passing of a loved one; managing feelings and reactions to a death or loss of significance; support during the process of healing and acceptance

Relationships - Understanding one’s wants and needs in relationships; exploring patterns of interaction, addressing concerns, and strengthening satisfaction in relationships and dating

Work stress and burnout - Strengthening effective ways of coping with the stress that comes with being a lawyer; managing expectations of self and others




Clientele

  • Adults (24+)
  • Couples
  • Parents
  • Seniors (65+)
  • Teenagers (13-18)
  • Young adults (18-24)

Insurance

  • Aetna
  • Aetna Student Health Insurance
  • Columbia University Student Health Insurance Plan (Aetna)
  • FIT Student Health Insurance (Aetna)

Out-of-pocket fees

  • Individual sessions: $275 (45min)
  • Sliding scale: $200 - $275
  • Initial session: $300 (45min)
  • Couples sessions: $350 (60min)

Additional session information

Out-of-network billing options

This provider can support you in getting reimbursement from your insurance company if you are seeking out-of-network reimbursement. Here are the out-of-network billing options they provide:

  • Super billing
Payment options
  • Cash
  • Check
  • PayPal
  • Zelle
Session frequency

Frequency of sessions this provider offers to see clients once you are an established client.

  • Weekly
  • Multiple times a week
Therapist's note

Dr. Carni offers a pro-rated 45 min individual intake session to new clients.


Location(s)

Upper West Side practice
545 West 111th St. , Suite 7A, New York, New York 10025
Accepting new clients in-person
Currently Available Times
  • Morning (Before 10am)
  • Daytime (10am - 1pm)
  • Afternoon (1pm - 5pm)
  • Evening (After 5pm)
  • Weekends
Regular Hours
  • Mon Closed
  • Tue 8:00am-5:00pm
  • Wed 8:00am-5:00pm
  • Thu 8:00am-5:00pm
  • Fri Closed
  • Sat Closed
  • Sun Closed

Online Sessions (New York)
Accepting new clients online
Currently Available Times
  • Morning (Before 10am)
  • Daytime (10am - 1pm)
  • Afternoon (1pm - 5pm)
  • Evening (After 5pm)
  • Weekends
Regular Hours
  • Mon Closed
  • Tue 8:00am-5:00pm
  • Wed 8:00am-5:00pm
  • Thu 8:00am-5:00pm
  • Fri Closed
  • Sat Closed
  • Sun Closed

Work and Education

Years of Experience: 40 years

Private Practice, Clinical Psychologist, 1995 - Present
NYC Family Court, Clinical Psychologist, 1986 - 1991

City University of NY, PhD
Certificate in EMDR, EMDR Institute
Columbia University, MA
Barnard College, BA


Licensure

New York: 009316-I

New Jersey: 35SI00244700


Languages

English