Carolyn Goldman, MSW, LCSW Co-founder
I’m Carolyn Goldman, a licensed clinical social worker and co-founder of The Behavioral Therapy Collective. I specialize in Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) and have been providing evidence-based, compassionate care for over a decade. My goal is to help individuals build a life they feel is worth living by developing skills to manage emotions, improve relationships, and navigate life’s challenges.
I received my Master’s in Social Work from Columbia University, where I developed a passion for DBT. I completed intensive training at the DBT Training Lab under the supervision of Dr. André Ivanoff and have since pursued advanced training in DBT-Prolonged Exposure (DBT-PE) for trauma, DBT for families and couples, and mindfulness-based therapies like Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT). Early in my career, I worked to implement DBT in the women’s facility at Rikers Island, and since 2015, I have provided adherent DBT in private practice settings.
At BTC, I offer a structured and supportive approach to therapy, whether you are struggling with emotion dysregulation, self-harm behaviors, trauma, or relationship difficulties. I believe therapy should be a space where you feel understood, empowered, and equipped with practical tools to create meaningful change.
When I’m not in the office, you can find me walking my Samoyed, Astro, riding my Peloton, or working toward my Goodreads goal for the year..
NJ Licensed Clinical Social Worker #44SC05789400
NY Licensed Clinical Social Worker #097445
South Caroline Telehealth Registered Provider #606
Liz Johnson, MSW, LCSW Co-founder
Hi! I’m so glad you’ve found your way here!
I specialize in working with teens, adults, and families who are navigating the kinds of challenges that often don’t respond to traditional talk therapy. If you're dealing with OCD, chronic anxiety, suicidal ideation, self-harm, intense emotional dysregulation, or the aftermath of trauma, you're not alone, and you're exactly the kind of client I love to work with!
Many of the people I work with have already “tried everything” and still feel stuck. My approach is grounded in engaging in structured, evidence-based treatment that is specifically designed for you. We’ll work together to find what works, whether that’s learning new skills, processing past trauma, improving relationships, finding your footing in a chaotic family system, building distress tolerance, or simply finding a way to feel more in control of your life. I’ll meet you where you’re at to build a life that actually feels worth living.
I often hear people say that it feels like others seem to have been given the “rule book” and/or the “cheat codes” to life, which can understandably feel traumatically invalidating, confusing, and isolating. I love working together to create your own path: one that honors your needs, values, and strengths, and learning to embrace whatever that means without shame or expectations that don’t work for you or serve you.
I offer expert-level, comprehensive Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) for teens, adults, and families, Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP) for OCD, Prolonged Exposure (PE) for trauma and PTSD, tailored exposure-based interventions for panic disorder, phobias, and generalized anxiety, and specialized support for personality disorders, chronic suicidality, and treatment-resistant presentations.
In addition to office-based or remote therapy, I also provide equine-assisted DBT groups and individual sessions for clients who benefit from a more hands-on, non-traditional setting. These experiential sessions provide a powerful way to practice emotion regulation, distress tolerance, and interpersonal effectiveness in real time. I am currently working with Lizzy Ellman, PsD, on collecting research data and creating an EA-DBT manual.
-Master’s in Clinical Social Work from Boston College in 2013
-Intensively trained in DBT through Behavioral Tech, DBT-PE for trauma/PTSD by Melanie Harned, PhD, and in Exposure and Response Prevention for OCD at UPenn.
-10-month post-graduate a certificate program at the University of Denver in Equine-Assisted Psychotherapy for licensed mental health professionals.
-Main clinical specialties and interests: complex trauma and PTSD, OCD, anxiety, personality disorders, traumatic invalidation, ADHD/Autism, and working with high conflict families.
In my free time, I love horseback riding and hanging out with my main mare Cori, traveling, running, and spending time with my family, friends, and rescue dog, Peach.
I am licensed to practice in New Jersey, New York, and am additionally registered as a behavioral telehealth provider in Florida and South Carolina.
NJ Licensed Clinical Social Worker: #44SC05809500
NY Licensed Clinical Social Worker: #096537
FL Telehealth Registration Number: TPSW2024
SC Telehealth Registration Number: #539 https://llr.sc.gov/Telehealth/socialwork.html
Melanie Rista, MSW, LCSW, Senior Clinician
I’m Melanie Rista, a dedicated therapist committed to creating meaningful change through open dialogue, personalized care, and just the right amount of humor. I graduated Magna Cum Laude from Hunter College and earned my Master’s in Social Work from Columbia University, where I was honored to be selected for the distinguished DBT Training Program under the guidance of Dr. André Ivanoff.
I specialize in Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), eating disorders, and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) for anxiety and depression. My approach is evidence-based, compassionate, and tailored to each client’s unique needs—I believe that real progress happens when therapy is both structured and supportive.
Outside of the office, you can find me exploring NYC’s diverse culinary scene, tackling Pinterest-inspired wallpaper projects, or embracing my self-care routine—which definitely includes long walks and plenty of snack breaks..
NJ Licensed Clinical Social Worker #44SL06580700
NY License: #114251
OH License: #I2304854
SC Telehealth Registered Provider: #516 https://llr.sc.gov/Telehealth/socialwork.html