Bryan Aston, LCSW

Virtual Therapy for Men & LGBTQ+ Clients in Florida & New York

What Is Therapy?

Therapy is a safe and confidential place for you to talk about your worries and concerns, work through unhelpful thoughts, reactions, and behaviors, and create more meaningful relationships with others and yourself.

I am pleased to offer all sessions via telehealth. Schedule your free consultation today!

About Me

Hi, I’m Bryan Aston. I’m a Licensed Clinical Social Worker in Florida and New York, and I earned my MSW from New York University. Over the years, I’ve worked in community mental health, nonprofits, and government agencies supporting survivors of trauma, crime victims, and members of the LGBTQ community. I also spent time in a group practice in New York City, where I worked with men of all sexual orientations to better understand their thoughts and emotions, strengthen self-acceptance, and build healthier relationships with themselves and others. These experiences shaped my commitment to creating a safe, supportive space for people to heal and grow.

Today, I run a fully virtual private practice based in the Fort Lauderdale and Miami-Dade area, serving clients throughout Florida and New York. My style is warm, collaborative, and down-to-earth. I believe therapy is most powerful when it helps you feel truly understood and supported, while giving you the tools to create lasting change in your life.

Client Focus

I help clients work through many of life’s challenges like trauma, anxiety, depression, relationship struggles, intimacy concerns, and major life changes. My approach is grounded in psychodynamic therapy, which means we look beneath the surface to understand where struggles come from and create lasting change. We will work to identify and resolve recurring patterns in life, whether they are conscious or unconscious. I also draw from relational, trauma-focused, and psychoanalytic approaches when they’re helpful.

I primarily work with men and members of the LGBTQ+ community, creating a supportive, non-judgmental space to explore emotions, build healthier relationships, and strengthen self-understanding. I know that reaching out for help isn’t always easy—especially with the stigma that can exist around men’s and LGBTQ+ mental health. That’s why I strive to make therapy a safe, comfortable place to feel seen, understood, and supported.

Treatment Approach

Psychodynamic Therapy

Psychodynamic therapy looks at how your past experiences, emotions, and unconscious patterns shape the way you feel and relate to others today. Often, struggles like anxiety, depression, or difficulties in relationships can be traced back to patterns formed earlier in life. By gently bringing these patterns into awareness, therapy creates space for healing, choice, and change.

I am certified in Psychodynamic Psychotherapy through the Psychoanalytic Association of New York, Together, we’ll work to uncover what’s beneath the surface, giving you new ways to understand yourself, break free from old cycles, and build healthier, more authentic connections. My goal is to support your growth, resilience, and sense of well-being in a compassionate, collaborative way.

Trauma Therapy

I have many years of experience working with trauma and PTSD in a variety of settings. Trauma can leave you feeling unsafe in your own body, disconnected from others, or stuck in painful cycles that feel impossible to break. In therapy, we create a safe, supportive space where you can process overwhelming experiences at your own pace, understand how trauma affects your thoughts and emotions, and begin to rebuild a sense of safety and trust.

I am trained in trauma-focused psychotherapy, Seeking Safety (for those engaging in unhelpful substance use or ChemSex), and Finding Solid Ground for dissociation. My goal is to help you heal old wounds, strengthen your ability to cope, and reconnect with parts of yourself that may have felt lost along the way. Together, we work toward reclaiming control, resilience, and a greater sense of peace in daily life.

Credentials

  • Licensed Clinical Social Worker in Florida (License No.: SW19494) and New York (License No.: 089566)

  • Master of Social Work from New York University Silver School of Social Work

  • Certified in Psychodynamic Psychotherapy from the Psychoanalytic Association of New York

  • Clinical training and experience with trauma-focused psychotherapy, Seeking Safety, and Finding Solid Ground for dissociation

  • Expertise in sexually-based issues

 FAQs

 

  • I am in-network with:

    • Aetna

    • Cigna

    • Empire and Anthem BlueCross BlueShield (for clients in New York State only)

    • Harvard Pilgrim

    • Meritain Health

    • Nippon

    • Oscar

    • Optum

    • Oxford

    • UMR

    • United Healthcare

    I work with Alma to manage all in-network insurance benefits. All copays or payments towards deductibles are handled through Alma. I will provide additional information in our initial consultation.

  • When you email or call, we will schedule a free phone consultation which will allow us to discuss what brings you to therapy, what you hope to gain, and how I can help.

    I offer weekly sessions for 55 minutes. I also provide twice-weekly sessions depending on each client and their specific needs.

    I offer virtual therapy sessions through Zoom, providing a comfortable and accessible way to connect. Please see the section on Best Practices for Virtual Therapy for more information on preparing for virtual therapy.

  • Top Tips for Virtual Therapy:

    • Find a Quiet, Private Space: Ensure you have a quiet, comfortable, and private area where you won’t be disturbed to maintain confidentiality and focus.

    • Check Your Technology: Log in a few minutes early to check your setup and mentally prepare for the session. Test your internet connection, webcam, and microphone beforehand. Make sure your device is fully charged or plugged in.

    • Minimize Distractions: Turn off notifications and close unnecessary apps or tabs. Inform others in your household not to interrupt you. Some find headphones to be helpful in minimizing distractions and being in the moment.

    • Prepare Your Environment: Ensure good lighting on your face and a non-distracting background. Natural light works best, but lamps can also help.

  • If you need to cancel or reschedule, please provide at least 24 hours’ notice. Cancellations with less than 24 hours’ notice or no-show will be charged a $50 cancellation fee to the payment method on file.

  • I am in-network with select insurances. See Accepted Insurances for more information.

    The fee for self-pay (not using insurance) is $150 per session.

    I offer a flexible sliding scale. I encourage you to call or email to discuss which pricing option is best for you.

    I am happy to provide a monthly invoice for out-of-network benefits and provide additional information on how to maximize your out-of-network benefits.

  • I am a Licensed Clinical Social Worker in Florida and New York.

    I cannot prescribe medication. If you are in need of medication, please contact a licensed physician or nurse practitioner. I can also provide a referral if needed.