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 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.

As a licensed therapist in Connecticut, New York, and Colorado, I specialize in supporting individuals navigating complex life transitions and personal challenges. My professional approach centers on helping clients develop resilience, self-understanding, and effective coping strategies across various domains of life. I bring expertise in addressing stress, anxiety, family dynamics, self-esteem challenges, and career difficulties. My practice focuses on supporting young adults, women, military veterans, and individuals experiencing family transitions, including divorce and blended family situations. My therapeutic style emphasizes compassionate, personalized care. I work collaboratively with clients to explore communication patterns, life purpose, and personal growth. Whether you're struggling with obsessive thoughts, caregiver stress, or seeking deeper self-love, I'm committed to creating a supportive environment where you can develop meaningful insights and practical skills. Drawing from evidence-based practices, I aim to help clients build emotional resilience, improve relationships, and move toward more fulfilling lives. I welcome individuals from diverse backgrounds and life experiences, offering a non-judgmental space for healing and transformation.

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 13 years of professional experience. I have experience helping clients with stress management, anxiety, coping with addictions, relationship issues, trauma, & abuse and depression. I have knowledge of homelessness issues and the LGBTQIA population.

I am a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist in the State of Florida and New York, I have over 30 years experience in the law enforcement community and over ten years of therapeutic counseling. I am available for individual, group and family therapy. I can address Anxiety, Narrative disorders, power differential concerns. personal definition examinations, relationship and PTSD issues. Everyones experiences are made up of relationships. My practice of therapy creates a refuge from judgment which allows an increase in confidence and control with the focus on health and happiness through understanding. I try to maintain a comfortable narrative style with a mindfulness tool set, in order to addresses the identification of needs and abilities while providing definition and effectively designed solutions.

I have earned my B.S. in Human Services/Counseling. I graduated from Fairleigh Dickinson University, with my master’s degree in clinical counseling with a major in Addiction Counseling, May 2004. In September 2006 I was grandfather in as a New York State, License Mental Health Counselor. On 3/31/16, I was grandfather in as a Master Addiction Counselor from the National Certification Commission for Addiction Counselor. I have 20 years’ experience of substances use therapy, 15 years’ experience with individuals with dual diagnosis, 5 years’ experience working in transitional housing with individuals with chronic medical conditions. I am a Credential Alcoholism Substance Abuse Counselor. I attended Narco Freedom Institute for my 60-hour Compulsive Gambling Training, and I received my Specialty in Gambling Designation. I have obtained not only a theoretical base to go along with my practical knowledge of human behavior, but also, I have developed the skills necessary to help others to empower themselves. My approach to therapy is motivational interviewing along with cognitive behavioral therapy, most importantly I use a client-centered approach to meet the client where they are. I've learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel. Maya Angelou

I am licensed in New York with 6 years of professional work experience. I have experience in helping clients with stress and anxiety & 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 York with 20 years of professional work experience. I have experience in helping clients with relationship issues, motivation, self esteem, and confidence, & depression. I also have experience working with 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. 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 25 plus years of professional work experience. I have experience in helping clients with stress and anxiety, relationship issues, trauma and abuse, & 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. 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 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.

I am licensed in New York with 6 years of professional work experience. I have experience in helping clients with stress, anxiety, coping with addictions, motivation, self esteem, confidence, & bipolar disorder. 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. 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. it helps tremendously to uncover those things that precipitated those feelings and the courage to explore other ways that you can change from operating in a fear best model to a more confidene based mode and I can help you do that as long as you recognize these things, realiz that they to your mental health status and ultimately do it. It not easy since sometimes we adopt their feelings about that which need t be done wthout proposing alternative sugesstions.

I am licensed in New York with 10 years of professional work experience. I have experience in helping clients with stress, anxiety, trauma, abuse, motivation, self esteem, confidence, despression, & executive coaching. I also have experience working with professional coaching. 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!