About Me

Otylia “Tilly” McQuay, LCSW-R
About My Practice
Hi, I’m Tilly. I’m passionate about supporting adults who are navigating complex trauma, chronic anxiety, low self-worth, and difficult relationship patterns. Whether you’re healing from childhood abuse or emotional neglect, or simply trying to understand why certain patterns keep repeating in your life, I provide a warm, collaborative space where you can feel seen, safe, and supported.

My approach is eclectic and trauma-informed, drawing from evidence-based methods like Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT), Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), and Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT), as well as Dr. Lindsay Gibson’s model for treating Adult Children of Emotionally Immature Parents (ACEIP). Additionally, I’m a Certified Clinical Trauma Professional Level II (CCTP-II), specializing in relational, chronic, and developmental trauma.

For Polish-speaking clients, I offer therapy in Polish, allowing you to process your experiences in the language that feels most comforting and natural to you.

At the heart of my practice is the belief that genuine connection—feeling truly heard and understood—is the foundation for meaningful healing. If you’re ready to explore, process, and grow, I’m here to walk alongside you.

Specialties
I work with adults navigating anxiety, complex trauma, ongoing stress, and the emotional wounds that often stem from childhood or emotionally immature family systems. Many of my clients come to me struggling with:

  • Complex PTSD (C-PTSD)
  • Chronic anxiety and self-doubt
  • Difficulty setting boundaries
  • Habitually sacrificing your own well-being to avoid conflict or rejection
  • Family or relationship trauma, including narcissistic abuse
  • Perfectionism and Imposter Syndrome
  • Emotional burnout, especially in women and highly sensitive people
  • Life transitions and identity exploration

I offer a deeply validating space for those who are ready to move beyond just coping and start feeling empowered and whole again.

How I Work
Therapy is a creative and collaborative process. I often compare it to Kintsugi—the Japanese art of repairing broken pottery with gold. Rather than hiding cracks, this practice highlights them, turning imperfections into sources of beauty and strength. In our sessions, you’ll choose the pieces you wish to mend and reconnect, and I’ll provide compassionate guidance and effective tools as you reshape your experiences into something meaningful, resilient, and uniquely yours.

I draw from evidence-based modalities such as:

  • Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT)
  • Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
  • Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) as well as Trauma Focused ACT (TF-ACT)
  • Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT)
  • Cognitive Processing Therapy for PTSD (CPT)
  • Psychodynamic Therapy
  • Attachment-Focused Therapy
  • Compassion-Focused Therapy (CFT)
  • Mindful Self-Compassion and Self-Regulation Techniques
  • Dr. Lindsay Gibson’s model for treating Adult Children of Emotionally Immature Parents (ACEIP).
Getting Started
A Bit About Me
I’m a Licensed Clinical Social Worker who believes strongly in seeing each person holistically. My training at Columbia University’s intensive Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT) program equipped me with practical, hands-on skills that I actively use in my work with clients. I’m also a Certified Clinical Trauma Professional (CCTP-II), specializing in supporting individuals with complex trauma backgrounds.

As a trauma survivor and first-generation immigrant myself, I feel deeply connected to the struggles and experiences many of my clients face. My personal journey fuels my passion for helping others navigate similar challenges, heal from past wounds, and most importantly, believe that they too can live fulfilling lives—thriving rather than simply surviving.

Practice Information
  • Location: 100% virtual in New York and Florida
  • Office Hours: Monday–Friday, 11 AM–7 PM, with some weekend availability
  • Insurance Accepted: 1199, Aetna, Cigna, Optum plans (United HealthCare, Oxford, UMR), and Northwell Direct
  • Payment Methods: Credit/debit cards, HSA/FSA, Zelle, Venmo, Apple Pay, checks
  • Languages: English and Polish
Let’s Connect
Contact us today
for your free consultation.