NYC Dating Therapy
One-on-one support to help you thrive in your romantic life
Dating in New York City can feel overwhelming. Swipe fatigue, confusing communication, ghosting, and the pressure to “find the one” often leave people feeling stuck, frustrated, or discouraged. You may be navigating patterns that repeat, struggling with self-esteem, or feeling unsure about how to build healthy, meaningful connections. As a therapist, I help clients slow down, understand their relational dynamics, and find clarity about what they want. Together, we’ll work through the challenges holding you back and cultivate confidence, authenticity, and resilience in your dating life. Whether these challenges stem from an early attachment style or current relationships, therapy can help you learn how to communicate effectively, reduce negative beliefs, explore sexual identity and sexual functioning, understand nonverbal cues, and more.
Meet your NYC dating therapist
Lucas Saiter, LMHC
I’m Lucas Saiter, LMHC, a psychotherapist and sex therapist specializing in helping individuals navigate dating and relationship challenges. With experience supporting clients through anxiety, self-esteem struggles, intimacy concerns, and communication differences/challenges, I bring a compassionate and active approach to therapy. My work integrates psychodynamic, mindfulness, and evidence-based techniques, allowing us to explore deeper patterns while also building practical skills for dating with more confidence and clarity. I have a particular passion for working with LGBTQIA+ individuals, the Latinx community, immigrants, and those seeking authentic and meaningful relationships in today’s fast-paced dating culture.
Credentials: Licensed Mental Health Counselor (LMHC)
Clientele: Adults, young adults, LGBTQIA+, Latinx, immigrants
Location: New York City
Virtual therapy?: Yes
FAQs about dating counseling
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Dating therapy is a form of individual therapy that focuses specifically on helping people navigate the complexities of their dating life and gain helpful dating insight. It’s a supportive space where you can reflect on your patterns, learn your own the dating process and relationship style, clarify your own personal goals, and work through challenges that may be holding you back from forming healthy and fulfilling relationships. Whether you’re new to the dating scene, returning after a breakup, or feeling frustrated by repeated experiences, therapy provides a space to explore and understand your own values, helping you date with intention and authenticity. In addition to individual dating therapy, I also offer couples therapy for those who are already dating and want to strengthen their connection.
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Therapy can make dating feel less overwhelming by helping you understand yourself and the dynamics you bring into relationships. A typical session might include exploring your past relationship experiences, identifying unhelpful patterns, and developing strategies to build confidence, set boundaries, and communicate more effectively. Common themes in dating therapy include overcoming dating anxiety, learning to trust your instincts, and balancing vulnerability with self-protection. Together, we create a safe, nonjudgmental space where you can process emotions, clarify what you want in a partner, and practice healthier ways of connecting.
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I support clients with a wide range of dating-related concerns. Some common areas include low self-esteem, fear of rejection, difficulty setting boundaries, understanding sexual relationships and sexual pleasure, communication challenges, navigating online dating and dating apps, or feeling stuck in unhelpful relationship patterns. I also work with clients who want to understand their attachment style, heal from past relationship wounds, or learn how to build healthier, more fulfilling connections. Even those who have had successful relationships can benefit from having a dedicated space to understand their own emotions and what helps foster healthy relationships. While these are some of the issues I often see, your dating journey is unique, and therapy is tailored to your specific needs. Even if you don’t see your exact concern listed here, I encourage you to reach out and explore how we might work together.
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My approach to dating therapy combines both depth and practicality. I use psychodynamic therapy to help clients understand the root causes of their dating challenges, such as how early experiences may shape relationship patterns. I also integrate mindfulness practices and trauma focused therapy to reduce anxiety and increase self-awareness in romantic relationships. Cognitive-behavioral strategies help us identify unhelpful thoughts and explore more supportive ones. I also utilize a trauma-informed approach to relational challenges to ensure that we move with just the right amount of momentum and at a pace that feels safe. My goal is to integrate the mental and emotional components of dating to help you understand your past experiences on a deeper level and find partners that align with your goals and wants.
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Finding the right therapist is an important step in your journey. What sets my practice apart is a compassionate yet active style that helps you feel both supported and challenged to grow. I specialize in working with LGBTQIA+ individuals, Latinx folks, immigrants, and adults navigating identity, intimacy, and relationship concerns, which means I bring cultural sensitivity and awareness to every session. If you’re unsure whether I’m the right fit, I invite you to schedule a free phone consultation. This is a chance to ask questions, share your goals, and see how it may feel to work together.
My mission as a therapist is to help individuals approach dating and relationships with more clarity, confidence, and authenticity. I know how overwhelming and discouraging the dating world in New York City can feel, and I believe therapy provides a much needed space to pause, reflect, and reset. My approach blends insight-oriented exploration with practical strategies, drawing from psychodynamic, mindfulness, and evidence-based techniques. Together, we’ll uncover patterns that may be holding you back, work through challenges like anxiety or communication struggles, and build the tools needed to foster healthier, more fulfilling connections. If you’re ready to feel more grounded and intentional in your dating life, I encourage you to reach out today to schedule a consultation.