This Is the Space Where You Get to Breathe Again
Life moves fast and it’s easy to get swept up in the pressure to keep going, keep producing, keep smiling, even when you’re falling apart inside.
Maybe you’ve been lying awake at night, replaying conversations, wondering if you said the wrong thing.
Maybe food, your body, or your reflection feels like a constant source of stress.
Maybe you can’t remember the last time you felt truly present, grounded, or confident in your own skin.
You don’t have to keep carrying all of this alone.
I’m Lily Thrope, LCSW Founder + Therapist
I’m Lily, a therapist who works with young adults, professionals, and LGBTQIA+ individuals who are tired of living small, anxious, or disconnected from themselves.
I believe therapy works best when it’s a real relationship, no blank stares, no “how does that make you feel?” on repeat. I show up as my full self so you can feel safe showing up as yours.
In our sessions, we might:
Untangle anxious thoughts so they stop running the show
Explore the beliefs about yourself you didn’t even know you’d been carrying
Learn how to quiet that relentless inner critic
Heal the ways you relate to food, your body, and your worth
Strengthen your boundaries and self-trust
I use tools from mindfulness, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), narrative storytelling, and Intuitive Eating, but always in a way that fits you.
Why Mindfulness Matters Here
My favorite definition of mindfulness is:
“Paying attention to your life, here and now, with kindness and curiosity.” -Amy Saltzman
When you’ve spent years in self-criticism or survival mode, kindness toward yourself can feel almost impossible. Together, we’ll practice noticing what’s going on inside you without judgment—because when you can change the way you see yourself, you can change the way you live.
As a certified yoga instructor, I also integrate mind-body awareness into our work. That means not just talking about your life, but tuning into how it feels in your body, so you can start to feel safe, grounded, and present again.
What I Believe
I’ve seen how societal pressures, beauty standards, career expectations, family beliefs, try to squeeze people into boxes that are far too small. My job is to help you break out of those boxes and create a life that actually fits you.
We’ll figure out what matters most to you, let go of what doesn’t, and build the confidence to live in alignment with your values, not anyone else’s.
Credentials & Training
Licensed Clinical Social Worker – New York State
Master’s in Social Work – New York University
Certified Intuitive Eating Counselor
Registered Yoga Instructor
Certified Intuitive Eating Counselor
Get to Know Lily!
What’s something you could talk about for hours?
I could talk about intuitive eating and the anti-diet approach for hours. I never get tired of exploring how diet culture impacts people and sharing the nuances of what it means to step away from those harmful systems. Watching clients recognize these patterns and seeing the almost instant relief that can come from that awareness—makes me endlessly passionate about this work. I love diving into books, podcasts, and trainings on these topics, and I feel lucky that my career gives me an outlet to share this passion every day.
What’s your favorite way to unwind after a long day?
After a long day, I love getting cozy on the couch with a heated blanket, fluffy socks, and a big sweatshirt while working on my current knitting project. Right now, I’m making a colorful, slightly wild cardigan, but I also love knitting hats, blankets, tank tops, and even little chickens! I usually pair my knitting time with a cup of hot tea and a snack. I love how calming and meditative knitting feels in the moment and how it transforms into something beautiful and meaningful to share with friends and family.
Where’s your happy place?
If you know me (or follow me on social media), you probably already know my happy place: Disney World! It’s one of the few places where I feel completely present and carefree. There’s something about walking down Main Street in Magic Kingdom, riding my favorite rides, and snacking on cheeseburger spring rolls that instantly fills me with nostalgia and joy. I often go with my cousins, and even though we both live in NYC, we spend more quality time together there than we do at home. Disney really is the most magical place on earth for me.
If you could instantly learn a new skill or hobby, what would it be?
I would love to learn new languages. I only speak English right now, and I took Latin in school because my older siblings did, but that didn’t exactly set me up to converse easily! I hope to take the time in the future to study and practice another language. I think language opens up new worlds and ways of connecting with others, which feels really meaningful to me.
What’s a lesson you’ve learned recently?
This is a lesson I’ve had to learn (and relearn) many times: trying to control what others think of you is a waste of time, energy, and effort.
We don’t get to decide how others perceive us and that’s okay. Accepting that truth has been deeply freeing for me. When you stop trying to manage others’ opinions, you create so much more space for joy, creativity, and self-connection. It’s a relief to focus your energy on what really matters instead.
Do you find yourself being your own worst critic?
Through unpacking past experiences, we will work to identify where those criticisms originated and try to create a more positive brain space that can contribute to your happiness.
