Why I Started Zen + Zest Therapy—and Why Mental Health Support Should Be Proactive, Not Just Reactive
Hi Forest Hills Moms,
I’m Angela — a licensed clinical social worker, local therapist, and the founder of Zen + Zest Therapy, an integrative therapy practice rooted right here in Forest Hills. We serve all New Yorkers virtually, and offer office appointments as well as home visits across New York City. This includes my borough of Queens, NY.
As a therapist in Forest Hills, NY, I’m honored to share a bit of my story with you today because I value the health of my community, and the next chapter of my career is very much focused on serving the neighborhood I call home. And while World Mental Health Day came and went, I want to encourage us to care for our emotional health year-round.
Angela Schedler, LCSW and founder of Zen + Zest Therapy
Approaching Mental Care From the Inside Out
Before starting Zen + Zest, my path led me through some of the toughest environments a Queens, NY therapist can work in — including Rikers Island and inpatient psychiatric units. These were human spaces filled with people struggling with trauma, psychosis, suicidal thoughts, and addiction. These are the people in most need of mental health services, yet they are often turned away by traditional providers, and told they’re “too high risk” for therapy.
That never sat right with me.
Instead of turning away, I wanted to build a practice that welcomes those who feel isolated or dismissed — whether you’re managing stress or navigating a major crisis. I created Zen + Zest to be that safe space for people to land and grow.
Therapy as Holistic and Preventative Care
If you are seeking counseling in Forest Hills, NY, consider a practice that thinks outside of the box, and takes a holistic approach, especially when it comes to mental care for young ones. We believe therapy should meet you where you are — literally and emotionally. That might mean meeting in your home, walking together in the park, or having a longer session that gives your story the time it deserves. We don’t force-fit you into a 45-minute box or a one-size-fits-all diagnosis.
Our practice is made up of experienced, licensed clinicians — people I’ve personally worked alongside and trust not just for their credentials, but for their humanistic approach. While my team and I are fully certified to handle the most complex and acute cases, we also support clients through everyday challenges like relationship struggles, workplace or school-related anxiety, and more.
Healing should be a whole-person process, and that means healing doesn’t always have to happen inside four walls. Consider solutions that might include traditional talk therapy, as well as mindfulness, movement, even aromatherapy or Reiki — all grounded in a trauma-informed, evidence-based foundation. You’ll be surprised how you can achieve progress in those small, unexpected moments when something finally clicks.
Why This Matters for Moms and Families
Parenting can be a rollercoaster. Whether you’re dealing with your own emotional overwhelm or worried about a child, partner, or loved one, it’s easy to feel like you have to hold it all together. But you don’t have to do it alone.
Therapy isn’t just for when you’re falling apart. It can be a powerful, proactive tool — like going to the gym or getting a checkup — to build emotional resilience and create more space for calm, connection, and joy.
At Zen + Zest, we’re here to support you through whatever you’re carrying — no matter how big or small it feels. Your mental and emotional wellbeing matters, and you deserve a space to feel heard, understood, and supported.
If you or someone in your family is going through something hard, we at Zen + Zest hope you take that next step — with intuition and just enough challenge to support real growth. Because you deserve to heal and live your life with joy, purpose, and clarity.
With care,
Angela
Founder, Zen + Zest Therapy