People's Choice Award, Westchester, New York
Vanessa Cardenas was recognized by the Consumer Ratings Institute as a recipient of the 2026 People's Choice Award for Westchester, New York.
Peekskill · Westchester County · Hudson Valley · NYC · Virtual
Credentials & Professional Background
Vanessa Cardenas · Relationship Reset Expert & Certified Betrayal Recovery Specialist
Vanessa's work is informed by education in Industrial Psychology, professional training in betrayal recovery and coaching, decades of leadership and communication experience, lived experience, and thousands of direct individual, couple, and group sessions.
5,000+
Individual, couple, and group sessions since 2017
Since 2017
Direct work with relationship uncertainty, emotional disconnection, betrayal, broken trust, and communication breakdown.
Peekskill, NY
Boutique relationship practice serving Westchester County,
the Hudson Valley, NYC, and clients virtually
Education
Academic Background
Baruch College, City University of New York
Bachelor of Business Administration with a concentration in Industrial Psychology.
Training & Certifications
Professional Training
Post Betrayal Transformation Institute
Certified Betrayal Support Host Program
Completed August 8, 2022
PBT Coach Certification Program
Completed January 24, 2024
The Addictions Academy
Completed the Nationally Certified Trauma Coach (NCTC) training in 2023.
Mindvalley / Evercoach
Certified Life Coach
Six-Phase Meditation Trainer
Completed May 29, 2022
Business Freedom
Master of Business Ownership
Completed June 10, 2024
Direct Practice Experience
Experience Built Through the Work
5,000+ individual, couple, and group sessions since 2017, supporting people navigating relationship uncertainty, betrayal, broken trust, communication breakdowns, and emotional disconnection.
Vanessa built Understanding Ear over years of evenings and weekends while maintaining a full-time corporate career. During that time, she studied, trained, facilitated support groups, and worked directly with individuals and couples. Several of those early years included pro bono work that allowed her to deepen her experience and refine the methods she now uses in private practice.
Her community service also includes more than 1,000 cumulative hours supporting people navigating betrayal through group-based work over multiple years.
Areas of Practice
Relationship Reset Work
Vanessa works with individuals and couples who are often already trying, but continue to find themselves in the same conversations, reactions, disconnection, or uncertainty.
Relationship Reset
Betrayal recovery
Rebuilding trust
Communication breakdown
Emotional disconnection
Sexless marriages and loss of intimacy
Relationship decision clarity
Intentional communication
Speaking & Leadership
Invited Speaking & Professional Leadership
Vanessa has been invited to speak at Columbia University, the University of Oxford, and Harvard University. These were separate speaking engagements, each creating a different opportunity to bring her perspective on relationships, communication, betrayal recovery, self-trust, and human connection to broader audiences.
Columbia University
University of Oxford
Harvard University
Her broader professional background includes more than two decades in the corporate healthcare environment, leadership and communication development, public speaking, facilitation, community engagement, and group moderation.
She is a founding member of West Point Toastmasters and has served as a keynote speaker, event emcee, facilitator, moderator, and community leader.
Vanessa also serves as Ambassador Chair for the Hudson Valley Gateway Chamber of Commerce.
For interviews, speaking appearances, and media, visit the Media & Speaking page .
Recognition
Awards & Professional Recognition
Independent recognition of Vanessa's work and the reputation Understanding Ear has built in Westchester County.
Best Relationship Coach in Westchester County, NY
Quality Business Awards named Vanessa Cardenas the 2025 winner of Best Relationship Coach in Westchester County.
Professional Scope
Clear Boundaries Matter
Vanessa Cardenas is a Relationship Reset Expert and Certified Betrayal Recovery Specialist. She is not a licensed therapist and does not provide psychotherapy, mental health diagnosis, or licensed clinical treatment.
Understanding Ear maintains referral relationships with licensed therapists and other professionals so clients can be referred when their needs fall outside the scope of Vanessa's work.
Learn more about Therapy vs. Coaching | Professional & Therapist Referrals
Private Practice
Understanding Ear
Understanding Ear is Vanessa's boutique relationship practice based in Peekskill, New York, serving individuals and couples throughout Westchester County, the Hudson Valley, New York City, and virtually.
The work is particularly suited to people who are already trying, but continue to find themselves in the same conversations, the same reactions, or the same uncertainty about whether their relationship can work.
Relationship Reset is not about returning to the relationship you had. It is about seeing clearly what exists now, understanding what would have to change, and deciding consciously what you are willing to build from here.
Clarity Before the Next Decision
If trust, communication, or connection has broken down, the first step is not forcing an answer. It is understanding what is actually happening between you and what would need to change for the relationship to move forward differently.
© Copyright 2017-2026.
Understanding Ear LLC. All rights reserved.