About

“I’m not sure if resilience is ever achieved alone. Experience allows us to learn from example.  But if we have someone who loves us – I don’t mean who indulges us, but who loves us enough to be on our side – then it’s easier to grow resilience, to grow belief in self, to grow self-esteem. And its self-esteem that allows a person to stand up”
- Maya Angelou

Luz Cotto-Charneski, LCSW

CT | NY

At New Light Psychotherapy, I believe therapy is a place where you don’t have to carry everything alone. So much of the work I do is helping people see how their past—especially old wounds and trauma—still shapes the way they view themselves, their relationships, and their lives today. Sometimes those patterns are obvious, but often they’re quieter, showing up beneath the surface.

You don’t have to be in crisis to want support. Many people I work with may seem “fine” on the outside but feel a deep longing for something more—for healing, meaning, and a stronger connection to themselves. Together, we’ll gently explore the stories and struggles you’ve carried for too long, with compassion, honesty, and care.

My approach is rooted in psychodynamic and relational work, shaped by attachment theory, depth psychology, and analytic practices. But at its heart, it’s about you—your story, your pace, and your needs. I’ll walk alongside you as you begin to heal, reconnect with your authentic self, and create more peace, clarity, and fulfillment in your life.

My Therapeutic Style

At New Light Psychotherapy, I believe therapy is a place where you don’t have to carry everything alone. So much of the work I do is helping people see how their past—especially old wounds and trauma—still shapes the way they view themselves, their relationships, and their lives today. Sometimes those patterns are obvious, but often they’re quieter, showing up beneath the surface.

You don’t have to be in crisis to want support. Many people I work with may seem “fine” on the outside but feel a deep longing for something more—for healing, meaning, and a stronger connection to themselves. Together, we’ll gently explore the stories and struggles you’ve carried for too long, with compassion, honesty, and care.

My approach is rooted in psychodynamic and relational work, shaped by attachment theory, depth psychology, and analytic practices. But at its heart, it’s about you—your story, your pace, and your needs. I’ll walk alongside you as you begin to heal, reconnect with your authentic self, and create more peace, clarity, and fulfillment in your life.

Education & Certifications
  • Master’s Degree in Clinical Social Work from Smith College School for Social Work
  • Certification from The Mitchell Center for Relational Studies in New York City
  • Analytical Certification from the Westchester Center for the Study of Psychoanalysis & Psychotherapy
Insurance

At New Light Psychotherapy we are not contracted with any insurance companies, this would be considered out-of-network therapy.  We believe in providing therapy that is guided by need, not insurance restrictions. This allows us to offer personalized, patient-centered care without the limitations often imposed by insurance companies.  If your insurance does have coverage for mental health, we are able to provide you with a superbill (this is a fancy word for invoice) with accurate coding which you will then submit for reimbursement according to your plan.

Fees

Individual sessions are set at $250
Couples Sessions are set at $400

Our Style

New Light Psychotherapy will cater to the individual people that come into our offices. We will listen closely, shaping your therapy with gentle hands to reflect your story, your rhythm, your needs. Here, you are seen. You are heard. You are deeply understood.

Rooted in the wisdom of psychodynamic tradition, our work is nourished by the insights of analytic thought, attachment bonds, the language of the body, and the mysteries of the inner world.

With a relational heart, we walk beside you, not rushing, not retreating, but allowing space for the deeper unfolding, where true and lasting change takes root.

We honor the quiet ache of old wounds; the invisible scars time and experience may have etched upon your being. These burdens, often held in silence, can shape how you love, how you trust, how you live.

You are not alone.

Together, we enter these tender places with courage and compassion.
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With presence. With care.
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So that you may begin to remember your wholeness, reclaim your peace, and rise; healed, renewed, and fully alive.

Why the Name New Light for a Therapy Practice?

Have you ever heard someone say, “[That person] brings new light into the world,” and paused to consider what that means? Light has long symbolized hope, healing, and truth—something that breaks through darkness and reveals what’s real. Before electricity, light meant life itself: a tended fire, a lamp, or the first dawn signaling safety and renewal.

New light awakens us, softens what feels heavy, and invites us to see with fresh eyes. It’s the sunrise after a long night or the way light dances on water, reminding us that beauty and possibility remain.

Find the Support You Need to Move Forward

You don’t have to carry everything on your own. Whether you’re seeking support for yourself, your relationship, or your family, this is a safe place to begin. Together, we’ll work toward clarity, connection, and a stronger sense of self.

schedule free 15-minute consultation