- Addictions
- Anger management
- CBT and DBT
About Toni
Toni Spera is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker, LCSW, licensed in New York with five years of practice. She works with people facing addiction, relationship strain, trauma and abuse, anger, anxiety, depression, and related concerns. Toni also supports those handling grief, parenting stress, and life transitions.
Toni views each person as the expert on their own story. Sessions focus on identifying strengths and practical steps that reduce overwhelming feelings. She uses clear, direct conversation and goal-focused work to help clients manage behavior and moods.
Her approach blends client-centered methods with cognitive behavioral tools. That means Toni listens first, helps name unhelpful thinking patterns, and then works on small, doable changes in reactions and routines. She also draws on dialectical behavior techniques to teach emotion regulation and distress-tolerance skills.
Toni incorporates mindfulness and motivational interviewing to support readiness for change. Mindfulness practices are presented as short, practical exercises to reduce reactivity. Motivational interviewing is used to clarify what matters most and to strengthen commitment to change.
Practical matters are discussed alongside feelings. Clients can expect straightforward talk about goals, barriers, and next steps. Toni encourages small experiments between sessions so people can test what works in daily life and adjust as needed.
How her approaches translate to online work
Toni commonly uses Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and Dialectical Behavior Therapy in her work. CBT focuses on identifying thought patterns that lead to unhelpful reactions and practicing alternative ways of thinking and behaving. That approach helps with anger, anxiety, depression, and habits tied to addiction. DBT teaches concrete emotion-regulation and distress-tolerance skills. These skills aim to reduce impulsive reactions and give people tools to manage strong feelings.Picking the right approach is part of the process. Toni will listen to your concerns and goals, then collaborate on which methods to try first. She treats the decision as a shared plan and checks in to adjust techniques based on what helps you most.
Confirm the exact session formats before booking so you know what is offered. Online work can make it easier to fit sessions into a busy week, allow shorter check-ins when needed, and reduce the need for travel. Some methods, like skill coaching and behavioral experiments, adapt well to remote sessions and can be practiced between meetings to build steady change.
Areas of expertise
Primary focus
Also works with
Additional focus areas
Therapeutic approaches
Experience
5+ years
Listed in
New York
Languages
English
Frequently asked questions
What kinds of issues does she help with?
She works with addiction, relationship problems, trauma and abuse, anger, anxiety, depression, grief, parenting stress, and life changes.
What is her general therapy style?
She uses a client-centered style that starts with listening, then moves to practical steps and coping skills.
How much clinical experience does she have?
She has five years of professional experience as an LCSW licensed in New York.
What credential and location apply to her practice?
She is an LCSW licensed in New York and provides services from that location.
Which languages are supported?
Sessions are offered in English.
Can international clients work with her?
She does not accept international clients at this time.
What formats are used for sessions?
Confirm current session options before booking to know which formats she offers at the time you schedule.
How are fees and getting started handled?
Costs vary with location and sessions use a subscription that can be canceled at any time. To begin, use the See online therapy options button, complete a short matching questionnaire, and schedule a first session.