I am a licensed clinical social worker living and practicing in New York City for over 4 years. I have helped clients with a broad range of concerns including anxiety, stress, relationship issues, depression, grief, loss and living with chronic illness. I completed a masters degree in Social Work at the University of Southern California in Los Angeles. After my studies, I started my career working as a hospital social worker in various areas of care including the emergency department, intensive care unit, oncology and transplant services. I have had the opportunity to live and work in various regions of the United States, including the Mountain West, West Coast and East Coast. This experience has given me the ability to understand a vast array of demographics. I come from a multicultural family and understand the dynamics of growing up in ethic diversity. I enjoy the combination of urban city living and outdoor recreation and love to surf. My approach to therapy is rooted in cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) and focuses on using techniques from Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) and Mindfulness. As your therapist, it is my goal to form a trusting relationship and provide you with a safe environment to explore emotions, identify things that you'd like to improve in your life and work together to achieve your goals. I look forward to working with you.

I am licensed in New York with 36 years of professional work experience. I have experience in helping clients with stress and anxiety, anger management, & motivation, self esteem, and confidence. I also have experience working with coping with life changes. 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 with 14 years of professional work experience. I have experience in helping clients with stress and anxiety, relationship issues, family conflicts, & trauma and abuse. I work with couples to repair trust, improve communication, and strengthen their emotional intimacy with each other. Taking the first step to seeking a more fulfilling and happier life takes courage. I am here to support you in that process.

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.

As a licensed therapist with nearly three decades of experience, I specialize in supporting individuals through complex life challenges. My practice focuses on helping clients navigate depression, anxiety, stress, grief, and self-esteem concerns with compassionate, personalized care. I have extensive expertise in addressing a wide range of issues, including communication problems, life transitions, trauma recovery, attachment challenges, and workplace stress. My approach is particularly attuned to supporting veterans, first responders, aging individuals, and those experiencing midlife transitions. I offer a supportive, non-judgmental space for clients exploring relationship dynamics, addiction recovery, family challenges, and personal growth. Whether you're dealing with codependency, processing past traumas, or seeking clarity during life's complex moments, I'm committed to walking alongside you with empathy and professional guidance. My therapeutic approach is collaborative and tailored to your unique needs, honoring your individual experiences and strengths. I believe in empowering clients to develop meaningful insights and sustainable strategies for emotional well-being.

As a therapist, my approach is contemporary and uniquely tailored to each client. Everyone has the answers within themselves and sometimes needs the proper guidance to trust their intuition and develop essential skills for life's complexities. My style is direct yet comforting and solution-focused, ideal for busy individuals who use therapy as a pitstop to reflect and reset. I have extensive experience helping individuals navigate relationship concerns and substance and behavioral addictions, as well as assisting people to become the best versions of themselves. I emphasize accountability, providing assignments to help adopt healthy habits for lifelong change. I specialize in guiding individuals and couples through the complexities of relationships using methods like the Gottman Method and Imago Therapy. I welcome all types of relationships, including kink-friendly and polyamorous dynamics. My approach focuses on helping couples create stronger connections by encouraging self-reflection and personal growth. Additionally, I support clients navigating the dating scene and those working through challenges such as infidelity, aiming to foster healthier, more fulfilling relationships. I specialize in working with clients who possess a foundational level of self-healing and are seeking to navigate challenging situations with resilience. I do not work with individuals in crisis or experiencing severe mental health symptoms, as my therapeutic approach is best suited for those prepared to engage in solution-focused strategies for personal growth. I exclusively offer live chat sessions as my chosen modality. This approach minimizes barriers to care, providing a comfortable and accessible platform for clients. Many individuals find they can express themselves more effectively in writing and better retain new mental health interventions when they read them. Are you ready to reach a new level of optimal wellness, break down mental blocks, and face challenges head-on with self-compassion and empowerment? Let's work together and make it happen!

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 25 years of professional work experience. I have experience in helping clients with stress and anxiety, relationship issues, trauma and abuse, & parenting issues. 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 4 years of professional work experience. I have experience in helping clients with stress, anxiety, motivation, self esteem, confidence, career difficulties, & coping with life changes. I also have experience working with compassion fatigue. 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 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 with 10 years of professional work experience. I have experience in helping clients with coping with addictions, relationship issues, family conflicts, & intimacy related issues. I also have experience working with parenting issues. 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 Florida and New York with 20 years of professional work experience. I have experience in helping clients with lgbtq+ related issues, relationship issues, family conflicts, trauma, & abuse. I also have experience working with anger management. 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 also a specialized Trauma provider certified in Rapid Resolution Therapy ( currently an Associate Trainer with Institute of RRT ) , and Accelerator Resolution Therapy. I am here to support you in that process.

I am a licensed clinical social worker with specialized experience supporting individuals navigating life’s most difficult challenges. My work focuses on helping people cope with the emotional, physical, and practical impacts of anxiety, depression, cancer, and chronic pain. I understand that each person’s journey is unique and I strive to create a safe and compassionate space where you can process what you’re going through and find meaningful ways forward. Together, we’ll work on building resilience, reducing distress, and strengthening coping skills so that you can live with greater peace and balance. My Approach: I use a combination of evidence-based practices tailored to your needs, including cognitive-behavioral techniques, mindfulness, and supportive counseling. Above all, I believe in walking alongside my clients with empathy, understanding, and respect. Whether you are facing a health diagnosis, living with ongoing pain, or struggling with mental health challenges, you don’t have to go through it alone. I’m here to help you navigate these challenges and support you in finding healing and hope.

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.