I received my Masters in Social Work with a specialization in Substance Abuse from Fordham University. I am a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) with over 12 years of experience working with various populations, such as domestic violence, mental health, and substance abuse. Currently I work at a large not for profit organization in NYC and provide individual and group supervision to bicultural staff as well as provides overall administrative oversight at numerous mental health residential programs. I have also worked as a licensed psychotherapist where I provided individual and group counseling to children and adults with mental health and substance abuse diagnoses. I provide culturally competent services in conjunction with evidenced based practices. I am trained and practice the following evidenced based treatment models: Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Motivational Interviewing (MI), and Trauma Informed Care (TIC). I look forward to connecting with you and becoming part of your journey to create a mentally healthy lifestyle.

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 12 years of professional work experience. I have experience in helping clients with coping with addictions, anger management, & 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.

I am licensed in New York with 11 years of professional work experience. I have experience in helping clients with trauma and abuse, career difficulties, & compassion fatigue. I also have experience working with concentration, memory and focus (adhd). 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!

My approach is psychodynamic and other approaches, it depends on the client and what is needed. Each individual is unique as well as their issues. I have worked with substance abuse for several years, familiar with Alcoholics Anonymous and addictions. Worked for many years dealing with anxiety and depression. My approach depends on what the dynamics are within each unique situation. I'm a Christian but also respect other peoples choices.

I specialize in trauma, grief, anxiety, depression, severe and persistent mental health problems, just like thousands of other therapists out there. I think my true specialty is providing an unfiltered assessment and validation--often using swear words, sarcasm, and laughter. I allow swear words (not directed toward me and not of female body parts and not sexually inappropriate) and I encourage blatant, brash honesty because I like to keep things genuine. This is not everyone's cup of tea, but I can only be me and I want you to be YOU. I am very direct and not afraid to say that a situation makes me nervous/sad/angry for you. Sometimes a tear will fall from my eye when a client tells a story and I don't feel any shame about that, no matter what they told us in school about having a poker face. All I can really give you is Maureen. One thing you can expect from me in a session is the question "What is that like for you?" This is because, as similar as we may or may not be, and as much experience I may have with similar situations, it is important to talk about YOUR unique experience of life in your own words. Once the feeling has been identified, I like to stay there and be with you as you process it. Sometimes this is a client's first experience of being present in the moment and in their life. Some clients have told me that, in the past with other therapists, they have left the session feeling worse than when they arrived. One way in which I avoid this is by making sure there is ample time to fully process feelings/trauma/experiences and ample time to build you up before the session ends. This may mean that I will look at the time and ask you if it is okay to "bookmark" that for next time. It is very important to end a session on a high note. There may be things you would like to do (or stop doing) and I want you to know that it is not my job to judge or tell you what you "should" do. On this journey, there will be successes and near-misses and sometimes things may seem pointless and hopeless. I want to be the person in your life during those times who points out when you are courageous. Courage is really the greatest tool in our toolbox. I primarily use Cognitive Behavior Therapy, and this means that I zero in on the relationship between an event in your life (large or small) and your thoughts, feelings, and behaviors. I use Dialectical Behavior Therapy, which is a combination of Mindfulness, Distress Tolerance, Emotional Regulation, and Interpersonal Effectiveness skills being taught with worksheets, diary cards, and something called a Chain Analysis where we look at events leading up to a problematic behavior. No matter what any therapist tells you their specialties and degrees are, the most important thing is your relationship with that therapist. I hope I can help you find your courage and help you create a life that is meaningful to you, possibly laughing (or shedding a tear) along the way.

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 10 years of professional work experience. I have experience in helping clients with stress and anxiety, relationship 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 York and Connecticut with 30 years of professional work experience. I am a LCSW-R and a CASAC(Certified Alcohol and Substance Abuse Counselor). 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. 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 both New York State and New Jersey, with 37 years of professional experience in the field of clinical social work. I help clients with managing stress related issues pertaining to depression, anxiety, relationships, separation and divorce, career /workplace difficulties, end of life issues and bereavement . I also have experience working with coping with life changes. 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. As you develop treatment goals and objectives, I am here to support & empower you in that journey.

Valerie A. Farrell Clinical Social Work/Therapist, LCSW, CCTPII, CASAC-A, RMT Life is a chain of events with unexpected turns and directional missteps. Therapy is the beginning of one’s awareness, healing, and redirection. I focus on guiding individuals and families, as they navigate life’s challenges, understanding intergenerational and complex developmental trauma and its impact on one's lifespan. I weave the therapeutic journey to each person’s unique needs, drawing on somatic, psychodynamic, cognitive behavioral therapy, mindfulness, energy-based, and motivational interviewing techniques. My experience spans over twenty-eight years assisting individuals in setting a course of action and building emotional resilience. My specialized care addresses substance use, anxiety. depression, trauma/post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), death and dying, grief and loss, family/relational discord, chronic health conditions, and spiritual direction. My commitment is to facilitate transformative change, empowerment, and holistic well-being. I will tailor our dialogue 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 honored to be a part of your journey!

As a licensed therapist in New York, I specialize in supporting individuals navigating complex emotional landscapes. My practice centers on helping clients work through challenges related to depression, anxiety, trauma, life transitions, and interpersonal dynamics. I offer a compassionate, affirming approach that honors each person's unique identity and experiences. My therapeutic work focuses on empowering individuals to develop deeper self-understanding, improve communication skills, and build resilience. I have extensive experience supporting LGBTQ+ individuals, addressing social anxiety, exploring personal identity, and helping clients move through difficult life transitions. I believe in creating a supportive, non-judgmental space where clients can explore their experiences, challenge limiting beliefs, and cultivate meaningful personal growth. My approach is collaborative, drawing from evidence-based practices to support your individual journey toward healing and self-discovery.

As a licensed therapist in New York, I specialize in supporting individuals navigating complex emotional landscapes. My professional approach centers on helping clients address depression, anxiety, relationship challenges, and self-esteem concerns with compassionate, targeted support. I have extensive experience working with women's issues, chronic health conditions, and individuals experiencing isolation or emotional emptiness. My therapeutic practice focuses on healing from traumatic experiences, family dynamics, and personal transformation. I believe in empowering clients to cultivate self-love, develop resilience, and create meaningful pathways toward emotional wellness. My work is grounded in understanding each person's unique journey, offering a supportive environment where individuals can explore their experiences, develop coping strategies, and rediscover their inner strength. I approach therapy as a collaborative process, honoring each client's individual narrative and potential for growth.

I am licensed in New York with 3 years of professional work experience. I have experience in helping clients with stress, anxiety, relationship issues, career difficulties, & depression. I also have experience working with coping with life changes. 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.