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.

Hi , I have over 20 years experience working with clients in counseling and mental health. I have worked closely with clients experiencing trauma, grief and loss, family issues, relationship conflict, anxiety, depression, work and school conflict and many other life issues and challenges. I have used various evidence based therapeutic interventions throughout my career, which has resulted in great success for those who I have been honored to provide care and support. You have what it takes to conquer all of life challenges and I am grateful to walk with you and provide the support and encouragement that will help.

I am a licensed clinical social worker in New Jersey with over 10 years experience. I have worked with individuals and families coping with medical issues, including childhood cancer. I also worked for several years in the eating disorder field and in private practice. I have a particular passion for working with young parents in adjusting to parenthood. This includes coping with post-partum anxiety and depression, fertility issues and pregnancy and infant loss. My style is collaborative and interactive. I work to create a warm and positive atmosphere where I work with clients on mutually agreed upon goals. While my approach is informed by past experiences, I like to work toward real time solutions to difficulties and building internal and external supports. Reaching out for support is an important step, and I look forward to working with you!

As a licensed therapist, I specialize in supporting individuals navigating complex emotional landscapes. My practice centers on trauma-informed care, with a deep commitment to addressing challenges related to guilt, shame, and healing from difficult life experiences. I bring compassionate expertise to working with young adults, women, and individuals processing family dynamics, sexual assault survival, and relationship transitions. My approach honors each person's unique cultural background and personal journey, creating a supportive space for exploring sensitive topics like sexuality, identity, and personal growth. Drawing from extensive clinical experience, I offer culturally responsive counseling in both English and Spanish. My therapeutic style emphasizes empowerment, resilience, and collaborative healing, helping clients develop meaningful strategies for emotional well-being and personal transformation.

My approach to therapy offers guidance in your journey of rediscovering your unconditional love for yourself and your world. I help you have compassion for challenging feelings by acknowledging how these feelings are separate from our inner spirit and therefore don’t define our self worth. It becomes easier to accept these feelings by also acknowledging that they have a purpose of self protection and therefore come from a place of love. Acceptance of feelings allows us to return to nurturing our bodies through somatic practices and reach a state of joy in the present moment for our blessings. I hope I can reignite the light that is already in you so it can shine brighter for yourself and for your world. My undergraduate degree/masters degree are from Boston College. I have had clients as young as two and as old as 87! I’ve worked with all ages in outpatient. My focus was children/families in partial hospitalization and in-home. I’ve primarily supported those finding challenge with anxiety, sadness and anger. I am passionate how physical health intertwines with mental health. Therefore I nourish my body with plants and move every day! I have found joy as a boxing instructor and runner. I hope to expose myself to more cultures through travel. I studied abroad in Ecuador and participated in service trips to El Salvador, Mississippi, New Orleans, and the Appalachian region. I live a spiritual life with the belief that we and all “things” are connected by a shared energy of love. Some of my blessings include my parents, sister, brother-in-law, and four-year-old nephew. “You'll never find a rainbow if you're looking down.”

I am a Licensed Clinical Social Worker offering services to adults (18+). I have over 15 years of experience working with individuals across the life span. My specializations are anxiety, depression, life transitions and adjustment disorders. I provide a supportive, encouraging, hopeful and humorous approach to assist individuals in managing life’s struggles and challenges. My interest in mental health care developed at the start of her college career with her focus and desire to help people of all ages with life stressors and connect them with resources within their communities. Michelle enjoys continuing education, beach and camping trips, pets, and spending time with family and friends. She attended the Women’s March and attended college as an adult student. “We can complain because the rose bushes have thorns or rejoice because the thorn bushes have roses.” – Abraham Lincoln “Life doesn’t get easier or more forgiving; we get stronger and more resilient.” – Dr. Steve Maraboli

I am licensed in New Jersey with 11 years of professional work experience. I have experience in helping clients with stress and anxiety, family conflicts, & motivation, self esteem, and confidence. I also have experience working with depression. I believe in treating everyone with respect, sensitivity, and compassion. I will tailor our dialog and treatment plan to meet your unique and specific needs. 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.

I am licensed in New Jersey with 15 years of professional work experience. I have experience in helping clients with relationship issues, trauma and abuse, intimacy related issues, & motivation, self esteem, and confidence. 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 seeking a more fulfilling and happier life takes courage. I am here to support you in that process.

I am licensed in New Jersey with 17 years of professional work experience. I have experience in helping clients with stress and anxiety, trauma and abuse, motivation, self esteem, and confidence, & career difficulties. I believe in treating everyone with respect, sensitivity, and compassion. I will tailor our dialog and treatment plan to meet your unique and specific needs. Taking the first step to sign up for therapy can take courage and I am proud of you for getting started! I also specialize in Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault

I am licensed in New Jersey with 35 years of professional work experience. For over 20 years, I have provided direct clinical experience working one on one with clients/students. I have experience in helping clients with stress and anxiety, career counseling, coping with grief and loss, & motivation, self-esteem, and confidence. I believe in treating everyone with respect, sensitivity, and compassion. I will tailor our dialog and treatment plan to meet your unique and specific needs. Upon request, I am also available to offer clinical counseling from a Biblical perspective. I am a certified Biblical Counselor. Taking the first step to sign up for therapy can take courage and I am proud of you for getting started!

I am licensed in New Jersey with 12 years of professional work experience. I have experience in helping clients with stress and anxiety, anger management, motivation, self esteem, and confidence, & career difficulties. 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 seeking a more fulfilling and happier life takes courage. I am here to support you in that process.

I am licensed in New Jersey with 11 years of professional work experience. I have experience in helping clients with stress and anxiety, lgbtq+ related issues, family conflicts, & motivation, self esteem, and confidence. I believe in treating everyone with respect, sensitivity, and compassion. I will tailor our dialog and treatment plan to meet your unique and specific needs. 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.

I am licensed in New Jersey with over 5 years of professional work experience. I have experience in helping clients with stress and anxiety, coping with addictions, motivation, self esteem, and confidence, & 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.

I am licensed in New Jersey with 5 years of professional work experience. I have experience in helping clients with stress and anxiety, trauma and abuse, sexual impulsivity, motivation, self esteem, and confidence, & depression. I believe in treating everyone with respect, sensitivity, and compassion. I will tailor our dialog and treatment plan to meet your unique and specific needs. Taking the first step to seeking a more fulfilling and happier life takes courage. I am here to support you in that process.