I am a New York State Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) with over thirty years in the field of social work and counseling. While I have experience in most areas of counseling, my specialties are working with parents struggling with child rearing and their children’s behavioral problems as well as adoption issues and working with adults who have been in the foster care system. I also have experience treating anxiety, stress, depression and most other situations dealing with the many complexities that come with living in today’s society. I provide a variety of interventions and together we can decide on what works best for you and your specific situation. I enjoy listening to what others have to say and have always been interested in assisting people in navigating through difficult times as well as providing them with the tools they need so they can feel confident in managing stressful situations as they arise.

I am a licensed Clinical Social Worker in the state of New York with over 18 years of experience working as a therapist and life coach. I've worked in many different settings with individuals and families who have a variety of personal issues such as depression/anxiety, stress, family problems, trauma/abuse, relationships/parenting and more. My counseling style is open, respectful and interactive. I believe in treating anyone with respect, sensitivity, and compassion, and I believe we all need help at times. My approach combines cognitive-behavioral, client- centered, and Trauma focused counseling. I will tailor our dialog and treatment plan to meet your unique and specific needs. It takes courage to seek for a more fulfilling and happier life and to take the first steps towards a change. If you are ready to take that step I am here to support and empower you. I look forward to working with you!

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 15 years of professional work experience. I have experience in helping clients with stress and anxiety, coping with addictions, trauma and abuse, & 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. 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 a licensed Clinical Social Worker who is here to help individuals restore their vitality and resume a life of meaning and purpose. Depression, anxiety, trauma, hyperactivity, and stress are just some of the many issues that are part of ones complicated life that can lead to dysfunction and suffering. A compassionate approach with a emphasis on one's cultural background, one's life experiences, and one's own personal needs help to shape the focus of my treatment. It is my philosophy that the challenge of changing oneself into becoming an individual who sees their own human potential is always possible. With the proper support and guidance, my patients are able to transform the difficulties in their lives into a life of triumph and achievement. The use of multiple therapeutic treatment options as well as medications are used to target symptoms that can be improved, well managed, and alleviated with particular attention on revitalizing ones energy, motivation, and love of the self. My approach is one that also considers the value of comprehensive diagnostic evaluations that include ones medical history, laboratory testing, as well as genetics, to help achieve a holistic understanding of an individuals needs. I am dedicated to setting realistic as well as far reaching goals to help individuals not only return to the life they once knew, but to concentrate on a brighter and more successful future filled with joy and feelings of accomplishment.

As a licensed therapist in New York, I bring over two decades of compassionate clinical experience supporting individuals through complex life challenges. My practice centers on helping clients navigate diverse experiences, with specialized expertise in depression, anxiety, workplace dynamics, and multicultural concerns. I am deeply committed to creating an affirming therapeutic space that honors each person's unique identity and journey. My approach is particularly attuned to supporting LGBTQ+ individuals, professionals experiencing career transitions, and those managing mood disorders, including postpartum depression. Drawing from extensive clinical training, I offer a culturally responsive framework that centers client strengths and empowers personal growth. My work is grounded in understanding the intersections of mental health, cultural background, and individual experience. I approach each therapeutic relationship with genuine respect, active listening, and a collaborative spirit. My goal is to support you in developing deeper self-understanding, resilience, and meaningful strategies for emotional well-being. Together, we can explore your challenges, celebrate your strengths, and cultivate pathways toward healing and personal transformation.

I am a licensed psychotherapist in the New York area with 5 years of experience. I specialize in depression, anxiety and relationship issues. I use evidence-based treatment modalities that include Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Dialectic Behavioral Therapy (DBT), motivational interviewing, and mindfulness. I will provide a solution-focused approach and I believe that everyone deserves a space where they feel safe, not judged, supported, and understood.

As a licensed therapist in New York, I specialize in supporting individuals navigating complex emotional landscapes. My approach centers on understanding each person's unique journey, with a deep commitment to addressing challenges like depression, anxiety, life transitions, and interpersonal dynamics. I offer compassionate, personalized support for young adults and individuals experiencing diverse mental health concerns. My therapeutic work focuses on helping clients build self-love, improve communication, overcome social anxiety, and develop meaningful coping strategies. I'm particularly skilled in addressing issues related to self-esteem, workplace challenges, relationship dynamics, and personal growth. My practice embraces a holistic, client-centered approach that honors individual experiences and strengths. Whether you're struggling with mood disorders, life transitions, or seeking deeper personal understanding, I'm dedicated to creating a supportive, non-judgmental space where meaningful transformation can occur.

I am licensed in New York with 40 years of professional work experience. I have experience in helping clients with stress and anxiety, relationship issues, couple's therapy, anger management, 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. Being positive is not always easy and takes effort for changing our negative programmed way of thinking, which we inherited from culture, family and others. I am here to support you in that process. I work with couples to repair trust, improve communication, and strengthen their emotional intimacy with each other. Couples also learn their love language, and the value of making the choice to Love, commitment, monogamy, and financial growth. It takes courage to seek out a more WE centered vs. EGO centered life and to take the necessary steps towards change. I am here to support & empower you in 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 30 years of professional work experience. I have experience in helping clients with stress and anxiety, relationship issues, coping with grief and loss, & 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. 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 7 years of professional work experience. I have experience in helping clients with stress and anxiety, coping with grief and loss, motivation, self esteem, and confidence, & 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. 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.

As a licensed therapist serving New York, I bring eight years of dedicated experience supporting individuals through complex emotional landscapes. My practice centers on helping clients navigate challenges like depression, anxiety, relationship dynamics, and personal growth using evidence based, client centered and mindfulness modalities. I specialize in addressing self-esteem, communication barriers, social anxiety, and life transitions. My approach honors each person's unique journey, creating a compassionate space where individuals can explore their experiences, heal from past wounds, and develop meaningful strategies for personal transformation. Drawing from trauma-informed and culturally responsive practices, I'm committed to supporting diverse clients through their healing process. Whether you're struggling with isolation, seeking deeper self-understanding, or working through significant life changes, I aim to provide empathetic, personalized guidance that respects your individual path and potential.