I am a Licensed Clinical Social Worker who practices in New York . I am a graduate from Hunter School Of Social Work in New York City. I have counseled a variety of people within the past 20 years. I have worked with issues related to depression, anxiety, grief and loss, life transitions , parenting issues as well as relationship conflicts. I have also assisted many people dealing with aging parents. As a Social Worker I not only counsel to empower individuals but I connect people to systems and resources to provide ongoing support. My counseling style combines active listening along with interactive compassion and empathy. I like to access an individuals strengths and then form goals that we agree on from there. I use cognitive behavioral therapy as well as a psycho -analytical approach. I have done Christian based therapy also. My focus is a holistic approach to empower the individual for long term success. It is not easy making change but when we realize that we are "all work in progress" it sometimes makes it a little easier to seek help to assist us in being the best we can be! I look forward to connecting with you.

"I will look for the flowers by the side of the road; I will laugh and love and be strong. I will try to lighten another’s load this day as I fare along". --MARY S. EDGAR CURRENTLY, I ACCEPTING CLIENTS WHO ARE EITHER FEMALE OR NONBINARY WITH A HISTORY OF TRAUMA THEY'D LIKE TO PROCESS AS PART OF THEIR TREATMENT. THIS DOES NOT NEED TO BE THE MAIN FOCUS OF THERAPY. Hello! Welcome to BetterHelp! My name is Jen and I am a Licensed Mental Health Counselor (LMHC, #004782) and a Certified Clinical Trauma Professional (CCTP). I have over 18 years of experience providing both mental health and addictions therapy to individuals, couples, families, and groups. My Master’s degree is in Community Mental Health Counseling, Addictions Counseling, and Marriage and Family Therapy (2009), and I hold a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology and Family Studies (2006). I have worked in multiple settings, including shelters, community mental health centers, schools, and private practices. Since becoming a counselor, clients, such as yourself, have come to me for a lot of different things, including trauma (particularly in the areas of childhood abuse, domestic violence, religious trauma, and first responder and military trauma), family and social relationships, self-esteem, depression, anxiety, and substance abuse. My therapeutic approach is mainly from family systems theory, which summed up says “we are not islands”. We are influenced by the world, or the “systems” around us starting from birth (and even before). These systems influence how we see the world and how we make decisions. When things happen to us (good or bad), our system shapes how it affects us and what our reaction turns out to be. I also “borrow” concepts from other theories, such as taking unhealthy beliefs about oneself and changing them into healthier patterns to reduce negative feelings, providing supports, a quick solutions-focused treatment (when it fits the goal), mindfulness and hands-on activities, and emotions regulation techniques. I am also EMDRIA-trained in EMDR, specialized for telehealth, and will provide EMDR treatment to clients found to be appropriate and motivated. I see counseling as a didactic relationship, or in other words, a journey we take together. You are the “expert” of you. Your individualized counseling experience should be focused on what you want and your goals. My job is to help “guide” or “lead” you in achieving those goals, while you continue to actively participate and do your best to reach your goals. I will support you as you do so. It’s like we build a house together. I am responsible for the frame and structure of the house; while you get to fill the rest of it in, make it look the way you want it to, and in the end, turn it into the home you want it to look like. Starting counseling can produce negative feelings, such as worry or fear; but part of the journey we go on is to work on processing those feelings together right from the start. I want to provide a safe environment for you that is warm, respectful, trauma-informed, and meets your individual needs. I look forward to meeting you should I get to do that. Thank you for taking the time to look at my page!

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 licensed in New York with 9 years of professional work experience. I have experience in helping clients with stress and anxiety, coping with addictions, relationship issues, & family conflicts. I work with my clients to create an open and safe environment where thoughts and feelings can be shared without fear of judgment. 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 York with 20 years of professional work experience. I have experience in helping clients with relationship issues, trauma, abuse, intimacy related issues, motivation, self esteem, & confidence. I also have experience working with depression. 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!

I am a licensed therapist in New York with over 20 years of professional Social Work experience from Fordham University with a Masters Graduate degree. I have conducted therapy in English/Spanish. I have worked in Hospitals, Mental Health Clinics, Detox Addiction Clinic. I have a broad knowledge of diverse techniques with Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Dialectical Behavioral Therapy, Problem-Solving Skills, Interactive Play Therapy and Spirituality Modalities. The patient/client population consisted of small children, adolescents and adult population. My approach is to listen to your inner most thoughts and feelings with gentle guidance to help you process emotions using several different coping strategies.. We can review how you react to certain situations, and explore the best possible solution. I believe that you are the expert of your story and that you have many strengths that will assist you in overcoming obstacles that challenge you. Taking the first step, to seek a more fulfilling and happier life takes courage. You are the narrator of your life. I am here to support you in this very exciting next chapter of your journey.

I am a state licensed mental health counselor in New York with 9 years of professional work experience. I have experience in helping clients with interpersonal relationship issues, anxiety/depression, trauma, grief, motivation, self-esteem/confidence issues, amongst several other common mental health problems. 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 making a change. I am here to support & empower you on that journey.

I am licensed in New York with 4 years of professional work experience. I have experience in helping clients with stress and anxiety, relationship issues, parenting issues, & motivation, self esteem, and confidence. 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 York with 12 years of professional work experience. I have experience in helping adult civilian, military spouses and families, and active duty soldiers with stress and anxiety, coping with addictions, anger management, & depression. I work with my clients to create an open and safe environment where thoughts and feelings can be shared without fear of judgment. 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 York and have over 40 years of clinical social work experience. I am skilled in assisting clients cope with grief and loss, depression, anxiety, life transitions, family, and career issues. Treating everyone with respect, sensitivity, compassion, and no judgment is at the core of my clinical practice. I will tailor our dialogue and treatment plan to meet your unique and specific needs. It takes courage to reach out for help; I am here to support you in reaching your goals. I do not use open slots on the scheduling tab to provide patients with the most flexibility to meet their scheduling needs. Please message me to set up an appointment that works with your schedule.

Hello there :) I am licensed in New York with over 6 years of professional work experience. I believe in meeting clients where they're at mentally, and empowering them with each step towards a life of fulfillment. I treat everyone with respect, sensitivity, and compassion. I have provided therapy in clinical settings, helping clients with stress and anxiety, financial literacy, family conflicts, motivation, self esteem/confidence, depression, and ADHD. I have experience in a plethora of modules, such as Motivational Interviewing, Child-Parent Psychotherapy, Anger Management, Creative Arts Therapy as well as Trauma Interventions. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and Dialectical Behavioral Therapy are at the foundation of my expertise. I will always tailor our dialog and treatment plan to meet your specific needs, and goals. Acknowledging that you're ready to take the first step and signing up for therapy takes a lot of courage!! & I am proud of you for getting started :)

I am licensed in New York with 3 years of professional work experience. I have experience in helping clients with stress and anxiety, relationship issues, trauma and abuse, & 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 York with 29 years of professional work experience. I have experience in helping clients with stress, anxiety, relationship issues, coping with grief, coping with loss, motivation, self esteem, & confidence. I also have experience working with depression. 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!

I am licensed in New Jersey and New York with 12 years of professional work experience. I have experience in helping clients with stress, anxiety, relationship issues, parenting issues, motivation, self esteem, & confidence. I also have experience working with despression. I work with my clients to create an open and safe environment where thoughts and feelings can be shared without fear of judgment. Taking the first step to seeking a more fulfilling and happier life takes courage. I am here to support you in that process.