I received my Social Work Education through Fordham University School of Social Services. During the course of earning my Masters, I worked with families and children in the Foster Care System. I worked briefly as a Medical Social Worker in a Rehabilitation Hospital. There my clients included amputees, Stroke and Head Injury patients. The bulk of my clinical experience spans 25 years and with difficult hard to reach clients with a full line of diagnosis'. I am comfortable working with all client populations. I consider my strongest suit to be empathy. Although I have experience with various clinical modalities, I believe that no size fits all. Together with the client, I will discover the best approach to address the clients needs.

You already know that whatever brings you to counseling right now requires both the expertise of the counselor AND your own courage and willingness to look honestly at your self and your circumstances. Not easy for you alone, or you wouldn’t be here. It takes both of us. I can support and guide you as you explore the issues that bring you to BetterHelp and I can help you revitalize your self-care and your self-awareness. I've been a therapist for 25 years and specialize in helping people cultivate the skills to address stress-reduction; completeness/healing with grief, loss and transition; healthy boundaries; self-care and self-compassion. You must be willing to do your part. We’ll use: Honest conversation Probing questions Home assignments such as reading reflecting mindfulness practices journaling to work with what’s getting in your way and get you reconnected with your wellbeing. My many years of experience as a therapist and mindfulness educator can help you ease your load and rekindle your spark. My schedule is NOT in the BetterHelp calendar. Appointments are scheduled by me at our mutual convenience once the intake/screening process is completed and we have decided we are a good match. I currently have openings on Wednesdays between 9 am and 2 pm Eastern, 6 am and 11 am Pacific.

Welcome to BetterHelp, if you are reaching out for help it shows your are interested in recovering your life and starting to work toward solutions to challenges. My name is Michelle Defino, I am a Licensed Clinical Social Worker with 12 years experience. I graduated from Binghamton University in 2008 and have worked primarily worked with substance abuse/co-occurring clients. I have worked with clients experiencing depression, anxiety, bi-polar and other more severe mental illness. I have worked with a Federal Re-entry Substance Abuse Program for the last 3 years. I use many forms of therapy to meet the needs of my clients including motivational interviewing, cognitive behavioral therapy, and solution focused. I use these modalities to help to change thinking and behaviors that lead to many of the issues in daily life. Another modality I use is mindfulness to increase focus and concentration. I realize how difficult it can be to ask for assistance and how important it is for you and I am looking forward to working with you and helping you to gain the life you are hoping for. I will consider different ways to work with you, however prefer video, since we will be able to see and get to know each other easier. I am looking forward to meeting and working with you.

I am a licensed mental health counselor currently practicing in upstate New York. I have been working for the past nine years assisting individuals, couples, and families who have a wide range of challenges including: schizophrenia, bipolar, depression, anxiety, trauma, marriage, parenting, grief, addiction, LGBTQ+, as well as others. My goal is to provide a nonjudgmental space for individuals to be able to share their thoughts and feelings about what brought them to counseling and work on whatever specific goals they may have. My own life experiences dealing with grief and loss, marriage and divorce, parenting , anxiety, depression, as well as family members with mental health and addiction issues, have enabled me to have a deeper understanding of individuals who are dealing with some of these challenges . I truly love being a counselor, and look forward to working with you on any challenges you may be facing in your life.

You are not alone. I'm here to guide you to get solutions to tackle symptoms of depression, relationship problems, stress, anxiety, attention deficit disorder, grieving, post-traumatic stress disorder, bipolar disorder, anger management, substance abuse and other symptoms that you might be facing in your life. I have extensive experience working with couples regarding issues such as conflict resolution, intimacy concerns, communication problems, problem solving, coping with life changes, trust building after infidelity, setting healthy boundaries and parenting challenges. I’m a bilingual clinician with over 18 years of experience providing psychotherapy with a PhD in Psychology. My background includes supervisory and leadership experience in clinical and hospital settings conducting assessments, individual therapy, couple, group therapy and crisis intervention. I maintain open communication, a person-centered approach and an absolute commitment to serving my clients. I utilize a variety of approaches, such as cognitive behavioral therapy, problem solving, dialectical behavioral therapy, psychodynamic and I also incorporate various theoretical backgrounds to address clients need and work toward changes in their lives. I have a license in substance abuse, and I am experienced in working with minority population, elderly and clients with chronic physical and/or mental illness.

Hi, thank you for looking at my profile. I have been a psychotherapist for over 20 years treating children, adults and couples in various settings. I have helped clients with issues such as depression, anxiety, anger management, ADHD, LGBTQ, autism, stress, relationship issues, grief and just day-to-day concerns that may arise. I provide mostly a client centered approach to therapy but will tailor my treatment modality to the client’s needs. My goal is for clients to feel safe, respected and understood. My philosophy has always been to treat others as I would want to be treated. My sessions will start by discussing what brought you to therapy and then later together we will come up with a short term and long term goal to meet your needs. I look forward to working with you! Warmly, Jennifer Kempner, LCSW, MEd

I am licensed in New York with 20 years of professional work experience. I have experience in helping clients with relationship issues, motivation, self esteem, and confidence, & depression. I also have experience working with coping with life changes. I believe that you are the expert of your story and that you have many strengths that will assist you in overcoming things that challenge you. Taking the first step to sign up for therapy can take courage and I am proud of you for getting started!

As a licensed therapist with three decades of experience, I specialize in supporting individuals through complex life transitions and emotional challenges. My practice focuses on helping clients navigate issues like depression, anxiety, relationship dynamics, and personal growth. I bring a compassionate and nuanced approach to therapy, addressing a wide range of concerns including stress management, communication difficulties, trauma recovery, and midlife transitions. My work is deeply rooted in understanding each person's unique journey, with particular expertise in women's issues, caregiver support, and healing from life's most challenging experiences. My therapeutic style emphasizes self-discovery, empowerment, and building resilience. I create a supportive environment where clients can explore their emotions, challenge limiting beliefs, and develop meaningful strategies for personal transformation. Whether you're struggling with social anxiety, relationship conflicts, or seeking greater self-understanding, I'm committed to walking alongside you with empathy to offer professional guidance.

I am a New York State licensed therapist with 15+ years of experience helping people navigate stress, anxiety, addiction, anger, and life transitions. Many of the clients I work with are feeling overwhelmed, stuck, or emotionally exhausted—and want real tools to feel better and regain control. In our work together, you’ll find a safe, respectful space where you can be yourself without fear of judgment. Therapy is a process, and you don’t have to do it alone. If you’re ready to take that first step, I’m here to support you with compassion, honesty, and encouragement.

For the last 5 years, I have been in clinical practice with individuals and families in New York City. Before that I was a community organizer that counseled families and individual clients particularly impacted by systemic conflicts, trauma/abuse/neglect, mental health disorders and anxiety or anger management. I experience great joy by supporting your courage to seek out a more fulfilling and happier life, and I guarantee that I will always be here to support and empower you in that journey.

Counseling can be scary, we often fear what we don’t know and understand, we fight against vulnerability, and working toward change of any kind is difficult. A lot of the things that we want to avoid are inevitable and it helps to have someone who can help you sort through all of things life throws at us. Counseling is collaborative and should be a partnership, one driven by you, the client ,in an open, safe, judgement-free environment. I am a Licensed Mental Health Counselor in the state of New York with 20 years of professional experience working with individuals, ages four and older, providing individual, group, couples and family counseling. I’m trained as a co-occurring clinician and can work with individuals with both mental health and substance use disorders. I am trained in trauma work, with a specialization in childhood trauma and specialize in co-occurring disorders, anxiety disorders, trauma related disorders, child therapy, behavioral disorders and autism spectrum disorders, with a background in disorders of sexual development and sexuality issues.

I am licensed in New York with 25 years of professional work experience. I have experience in helping clients with stress, anxiety, relationship issues, trauma, & abuse. I also have experience working with depression. I work with my clients to create an open and safe environment where thoughts and feelings can be shared without fear of judgment. It takes courage to seek out a more fulfilling and happier life and to take the first steps towards a change. I am here to support & empower you in that journey.

As a licensed therapist living in New York and dually licensed in Maryland, I specialize in supporting individuals work through distorted thought processes. My practice focuses on addressing depression, anxiety, stress, ADHD, borderline personality, and self-esteem challenges. My experience working in an Intensive Outpatient Program has helped me work with individuals experiencing serious depression and anxiety symptoms. I do not, however, have specialized experience working with addictions and substance use issues, and would recommend seeking another provider if these are your primary issue. I can provide support for mental health symptoms alongside these, but I will recommend you seek out treatment specifically for those issues, as I am not specialized in those areas. My approach is compassionate and collaborative, designed to help you develop meaningful strategies for personal growth. I understand the unique challenges of managing mood disorders, impulsivity, and interpersonal dynamics. Whether you're struggling with isolation, family conflicts, or seeking to build stronger emotional resilience, I'm committed to walking alongside you in your healing journey. I bring a non-judgmental, supportive perspective to our work together, tailoring therapeutic techniques to meet your individual needs. My goal is to create a safe, affirming space where you can explore your experiences, develop coping skills, and move towards greater emotional well-being.

I am a clinical psychotherapist who works from a deeply person-centered and integrative perspective, tailoring therapy to the unique needs, history, and inner world of each individual. My approach is versatile and responsive rather than one-size-fits-all, drawing from multiple therapeutic frameworks to meet clients where they are and support meaningful, sustainable change. I have experience working with a wide range of psychological concerns, including trauma, anxiety, emotional regulation, existential distress, identity issues, and periods of profound life transition. I approach therapy with compassion, curiosity, and respect, creating a safe and nonjudgmental space in which clients can explore difficult experiences, reconnect with their strengths, and develop a deeper understanding of themselves. At the core of my work is the belief that healing occurs through attuned human connection. I aim to foster a collaborative therapeutic relationship that empowers clients, honors their autonomy, and supports growth at a pace that feels both challenging and safe.