About Alphonso Gaita, LCSW

Alphonso Gaita, LCSW is the founder and clinical director of Reflections Mental Health Services. I’m a Licensed Clinical Social Worker in New York, and I’ve been doing this work for more than 10 years. I see individuals, couples, and families. Over the years I’ve worked in child welfare, at Rikers Island, in state psychiatric hospitals, in the public school system, and in outpatient practice, doing individual and family counseling. All of that taught me to sit with a lot of different problems and to pay attention to what the person in front of me actually needs.

Most people come to me dealing with anxiety, OCD, depression, or the aftermath of trauma. We work on getting you onto steadier ground and building back some confidence, and we set goals you can actually reach. I keep checking in on those goals with you as we go.

My approach is warm and practical. Early sessions focus on understanding your history, your goals, and what’s gotten in the way so far, so the plan we build together fits your life rather than following a one-size-fits-all script.

Therapeutic Approaches

• Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT): practical work on the thought and behavior patterns that keep you stuck
• Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT): skills for managing intense emotions, getting through distress, and handling relationships
• Trauma-Informed Care & Trauma Resolution Energy Therapy: working through past experiences at your pace, with safety first
• Restorative Practice: repairing relationships and building accountability
• Brief Strategic Family Therapy: shorter-term work focused on family patterns

Areas of Focus

• Anxiety and panic
• Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD)
• Depression and low mood
• Trauma recovery
• Family and relationship challenges
• Life transitions and personal growth

Professional Background

I’ve worked across child welfare, Rikers Island, New York state psychiatric hospitals, the New York public school system, and outpatient practice. I’ve been with people during some of the hardest moments of their lives. That shows up in how I work now: I stay steady, and I keep things practical.

Credentials & Training

Alphonso Gaita is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) credentialed through New York State, and a member of the National Association of Social Workers. His clinical training spans Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Dialectical Behavior Therapy, Trauma-Informed Care, Trauma Resolution Energy Therapy, and Brief Strategic Family Therapy, built on more than a decade of experience across child welfare, correctional mental health, inpatient psychiatry, and school-based counseling.

What Sessions With Alphonso Look Like

Sessions are conducted entirely over secure telehealth video, so you can meet with Alphonso from wherever you’re most comfortable, anywhere in New York State. Most new clients are offered an appointment within 24 hours, with no waitlist. The first session focuses on understanding what brought you to therapy and what you’d like to change; from there, Alphonso recommends an approach and checks in regularly on your progress. Clients looking to learn more about anxiety, OCD, or related conditions can find helpful, evidence-based information through the National Institute of Mental Health.

Whether you’re just starting to notice symptoms or have been managing them for years, reaching out is a reasonable first step, not a last resort. Appointments can be scheduled online in just a few minutes, and Alphonso Gaita is happy to answer any questions before your first visit.