I provide psychotherapy to help transform discouragement and pain into hope, strength, self-assurance, and better effectiveness in relationships.

If you are here, you might be hurting, looking for some direction, change, or tools to help cope with difficult circumstances or emotions. 

It's my priority to provide a caring, understanding, and non-judgmental environment where you feel safe to share and explore your thoughts and feelings and the circumstances affecting them. I want to listen closely to your pain and deeply to your story. And I want to guide our time together in a way that helps you heal and move forward feeling authentic and strong.

What is Working with Me Like?

Inner healing can take time but there are often tools along the way that can help you start to feel better and begin making change. I use a combination of what's called psychodynamic therapy, cognitive behavioral therapy, and feminist therapy in my work with clients.

Psychodynamic therapy takes some time but is in my opinion one of the most deeply healing types of therapy. It helps you to understand your relationships better, heal old and new wounds, and recognize and change patterns in your life that aren't working.

Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is a set of tools that can assist you in making some change now. It focuses on skills to change behaviors, thoughts, and feelings.

Feminist therapy is for everyone, not just women. This type of therapy is so valuable for recognizing the social systems that affect and influence our lives and how we see ourselves. Socioeconomic status, ethnicity, religion, race, gender and other characteristics shape our experience in the world and can play an important role in the strengths and weaknesses we embody and the challenges we face.

I work intensively with clients, which means we will meet 1x per week for 45 minutes each at my office in Murray Hill (Manhattan). 

I know therapy is a commitment that takes courage, especially if you want deep and lasting change. We will work together to find out what fears need to be faced and where you need a little more courage. And I will sit with you with the painful stuff, so that you can really rise out of it with self-acceptance and strength.

My Education and Experience

I am a New York State Licensed Mental Health Counselor (Lic. #007138). I am also a Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor in CA (Lic. #16249) and a Licensed Mental Health Counselor in FL (Lic. #16249). I earned an M.S.Ed in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from St. John's University here in New York. Prior to entering private practice, I provided psychotherapy to patients at the NYC Department of Health STD clinics, treating a range of issues including dating and relationship concerns, anxiety and depression, substance abuse, sexual assault, HIV and other STD diagnoses, sexuality and gender related concerns, and sex addiction. I have also completed the Eating Disorders, Compulsions, and Addictions program and the Intensive Psychoanalytic Psychotherapy program at the William Alanson White Institute of Psychiatry, Psychoanalysis & Psychology.

I am passionate about helping clients overcome shame, to heal from deep hurts, and to feel empowered in their lives. 

I proudly welcome and serve individuals and couples from both the heterosexual and LGBTQ communities.

Ready to take the next step?

If you are interested in counseling, call me for a complimentary 15-minute phone consultation at 917-689-6530 and we can get a sense for whether I'm the right fit for you. If I am not the right fit, I will help you find the right counselor or resources for your needs. I return most calls and emails on Wednesdays and Thursdays.

Have a few more questions?

There are answers to additional questions at my Questions About Counseling page. If you don't see your question listed there, please reach out to me at melissa@myheartdances.com or 917-689-6530