Alexandre Da Silva
I believe that each person’s individual experiences are essential to the therapy journey. With this in mind, I encourage you to draw from your personal experiences and natural creativity as primary tools for discovering positive, quick, and long‑lasting solutions to your concerns. I embrace cultural diversity and genuinely respect people’s differences. People of all genders, sexual orientations, ethnicities, religious affiliations, and diverse cultural, social, and political backgrounds will find a friendly and welcoming atmosphere at Good Start Therapy. As a Licensed Mental Health Counselor, I enjoy a holistic approach to psychotherapy. A holistic approach helps us become more aware and balanced in our daily lives, allowing us to connect with our emotions, thoughts, physical sensations, and spiritual selves. It combines clinical interventions from various psychotherapy schools and treats each individual as unique, yielding positive, effective outcomes and opening the door to lasting life changes. I have been trained to work with adults facing mood changes, anger, anxiety, stress, trauma, and depression. I am proud to be a graduate of Goddard College in Vermont, where I earned my Master’s Degree in Psychology and Counseling. I also hold a Bachelor’s Degree in Interdisciplinary Studies with a focus on Crisis Intervention from Empire State College, State University of New York. In line with New York State’s Continuing Education requirements, I completed a one-year Post-Master’s Continuing Education Program in Advanced Clinical Practice at NYU. Additionally, I fulfill the 36 continuing education clinical hours every 3 years. I am fortunate to have attended the American Academy of Dramatic Arts in NYC, where I completed a two-year Certificate Program in Acting for Theater. It was a great pleasure to work at The Door, a Center for Alternatives, for six years, in both clinical and management roles within the Supportive Housing program for young adults ages 18–24 facing mental health challenges. I have also worked at various substance use treatment centers, private psychotherapy clinics, and homeless shelters in New York and Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. I offer therapy in both English and Portuguese.
Lauren Porter
I am a mental health counselor licensed in New York State with primary experience working with adults. I have worked with clients with a wide range of concerns including depression, anxiety, mood instability, addiction and both childhood and adult trauma. My counseling style is empathetic and sincere. I believe in treating anyone with respect, compassion and a lack of judgement. In my work I utilize a combination of a cognitive-behavioral, compassion focused and psychodynamic approach. I believe the client is the center of therapy and plan to work with you in addressing the concerns you present. Together we will work to identify challenges you experience, barriers you are facing and work to develop effective and healthy coping skills. I will be available through a variety of modalities throughout this journey together so that we can find a way to best meet your needs and goals. I am looking forward to working with you and seeing what we can help you accomplish together!
Pamela DiGangi
I am a Licensed Mental Health Counselor (LMHC) in New York State and have provided mental health counseling for over 30 years to people of all ages. I worked as a school counselor for 32 years at the Kenton UFSD, a suburban school district just north of Buffalo, NY. I also provide family and couples counseling at the KenTon Family Support Center. Many people feel stuck at times but do not know how to make changes to allow them to enjoy their lives to the fullest. My approach to counseling incorporates a few styles of therapy to help clients clarify goals, understand their own behaviors and self-talk, and take charge of their future. Clinical areas of treatment include anxiety, depression, ADHD, relationships, stress management, conflict resolution, work and career issues, grief & loss, and anger management. I strongly believe in the dignity and worth of people and am dedicated to helping people find a productive healthy path.
Zalman (Samuel) Nelson
Hi, I'm Zalman. Great to meet you. So you're looking for a therapist? That's awesome. It takes courage to be here and you clearly have it! As for me, I'm a therapist with over 15 years of online therapy work: phone/video calls, text. It’s a passion of mine to use digital tools to help people: learn the emotional life skills they need to handle feelings, validate themselves, learn from emotional triggers, improve confidence and communication, and upgrade all of their relationships. And by adding inner child healing to the work, we get to the core of the issues. That way you get more effective, faster-achieved, and longer-lasting results that you'll see soon after you start...not after months. Results that you'll learn how to self-maintain and continue to develop. The goal is for you to fire me as soon as possible because you gained the knowledge, insight, tools, and skills to manage your own emotions and navigate the situations and relationships you encounter each day. My training includes a Master's Degree in Social Work from the Wurzweiler School of Social Work, where I focused on Addictions treatment and did field placement work with an Inpatient Addiction Recovery center and the 12-Step community. Along with spiritual learning and a soulful background, I see much effectiveness from drawing upon and blending a broad range of tools, approaches, techniques, and philosophies that unite to provide what clients uniquely need in order to thrive, heal, grow, find happiness and success and confidence, and stand on their own two feet. Learn more about me online and on social media. Or sign up today and we'll get to work :)
David Shirly
I am a licensed therapist in Florida dedicated to supporting individuals through complex emotional landscapes. My professional approach centers on helping clients navigate challenges like depression, anxiety, relationship dynamics, and personal growth. I specialize in addressing issues such as social anxiety, workplace stress, life transitions, and interpersonal communication. My therapeutic practice is deeply compassionate and tailored to each individual's unique experiences. I focus on empowering clients to develop self-love, overcome isolation, and rediscover their sense of purpose. Whether you're struggling with mood disorders, relationship difficulties, or seeking personal transformation, I provide a supportive environment for meaningful healing and growth. Drawing from evidence-based practices, I work collaboratively with clients to develop practical strategies for managing stress, building resilience, and creating positive life changes. My goal is to help you understand yourself more deeply, develop healthier coping mechanisms, and move towards a more fulfilling life.
Wayne Rowan
I am a licensed therapist (LCSW) in both Florida and New York. I am a Master's Level Certified Addiction Professional (MCAP) in Florida and a Certified Addiction & Substance Abuse Counselor (CASAC) in New York. I bring over eighteen (18) years of dedicated experience in supporting individuals through complex life challenges. The last four (4) of those years were with Betterhelp. My professional approach is based on a Strengths Perspective. It centers on helping clients achieve emotional wellness, with specialized expertise in addressing depression, anxiety, relationship dynamics, and especially, addiction recovery. I focus on empowering individuals to develop deeper self-understandings of themselves, to improve their communication skills, and to overcome the personal barriers in their way. My practice is particularly attuned to supporting older adults and individuals experiencing workplace challenges, isolation in general, and stressful life transitions. My therapeutic style emphasizes a compassionate, goal-oriented path through collaborative work and guided discovery. The aims of therapy are to explore personal growth, to heal from past experiences, and to develop meaningful strategies that help generate more fulfilling lives. Whether you're struggling with emotional pain, seeking purpose in life, and/or working through interpersonal challenges, we'll put our heads together and work to resolve those issues. I provide supportive, non-judgmental care in relationships that are neither normal-abnormal, ordinate-subordinate, nor superior-inferior.
Emilia Ward
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.
Tyieste “Ty” Jones
I am licensed in Florida with 17 years of professional work experience. I have significant experience in helping clients with stress, anxiety, trauma, abuse, motivation, self esteem, confidence, & depression. I have experience working on 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 seeking a more fulfilling and happier life takes courage. I am here to support you in that process.
Jesse Palermo
I’m licensed in New York with 14 years of professional work experience. I have experience in helping clients with stress and anxiety, coping with addictions, relationship issues, and bipolar disorder. I believe in treating everyone with respect, sensitivity, and compassion. I will tailor our dialogue 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’m here to support you in that process.
Mary Anne Cox
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.
Viviana Urgiles
As a licensed therapist serving clients across New York and Texas, I specialize in trauma treatment and have dedicated my career to helping individuals heal from the lasting effects of traumatic experiences. With 15 years of clinical experience, I provide a safe, supportive, and culturally responsive environment where clients can process difficult experiences, restore a sense of safety, and move toward lasting emotional healing. My practice focuses on working with individuals affected by trauma, complex trauma, post-traumatic stress (PTSD), childhood abuse and neglect, interpersonal violence, domestic violence, sexual trauma, medical trauma, grief and loss, and other significant life-altering experiences. I understand that trauma can impact every aspect of a person's life, including relationships, self-esteem, emotional regulation, trust, physical health, and overall well-being. Using trauma-informed and evidence-based approaches, I help clients understand the effects of trauma on the mind and body while developing effective coping skills, emotional resilience, and healthier patterns of functioning. My goal is to create a therapeutic relationship where clients feel heard, respected, and empowered throughout the healing process. In addition to trauma treatment, I work with concerns that commonly accompany trauma, including anxiety, depression, relationship difficulties, attachment wounds, social anxiety, life transitions, workplace stress, and multicultural challenges. I recognize that each person's story is unique and tailor treatment to meet individual needs, strengths, and goals. I believe that healing is possible, even after the most difficult experiences. Whether you are coping with recent trauma, unresolved experiences from the past, or the long-term effects of chronic stress and adversity, I am committed to helping you build insight, reclaim your sense of self, and create a more fulfilling and balanced life. Together, we can work toward healing, resilience, and meaningful personal growth.
Jesus Robles
As a Licensed Clinical Social Worker with 16 years of professional experience in New York, I specialize in using ego psychology to help clients navigate complex psychological challenges. My clinical work focuses on addressing logical fallacies and maladaptive coping mechanisms, particularly within the context of the complexities of modern life. I employ evidence-based interventions to facilitate clients' understanding of their internal thought processes and how these can impact their behavior and emotional well-being. My approach is integrative, drawing on various therapeutic modalities while emphasizing the development of clients' ego functions to enhance their adaptive capacity. Through targeted conversations and interventions, I assist clients in identifying and restructuring irrational beliefs and maladaptive coping strategies. My experience includes roles such as Program Coordinator at Mount Sinai Morningside and Associate Program Director at the Institute for Family Health, where I have been involved in program development, clinical supervision, and implementing quality improvement initiatives. This background allows me to create a supportive therapeutic environment, fostering clients' strengths and resilience as they work toward healthier, more adaptive ways of functioning.
Michele Paladino
As a licensed clinician in Colorado, Missouri and New York, with over 15 years of professional work experience, I have had the opportunity to work with clients in a variety of settings. I take a strength based approach, blending together various treatment modalities, such as cognitive behavioral therapy, solution focused therapy, mindfulness, as well as client centered approach, with the understanding that individuals or families are the experts in their life. It is my goal to work collaboratively with you to provide the tools and techniques necessary to achieve desired counseling outcomes.
Jamie Chase
I am licensed in New York with 5 years of professional work experience. I have experience in helping clients with stress, anxiety, relationship issues, trauma, abuse, & anger management. 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.
*BetterHelp insurance availability, coverage, and cost may vary by state, plan, provider network, therapist availability, and deductible status.
Find a therapist near you in Tonawanda, New York
Finding a therapist near you in Tonawanda, New York starts with matching to a licensed professional who fits your needs, schedule, and goals. New York is home to people with diverse mental health needs across urban, suburban, and rural communities, which can make it challenging to find care. BetterHelp connects you with a licensed therapist through tailored matching, so you can begin care from home or wherever works for you.
The network includes over 30,000 licensed therapists globally, and over 4 million people have used BetterHelp to find support through online therapy. During matching, 93% of user preferences are met, which helps you connect with a therapist suited to what you are looking for. Whether you are searching for help with anxiety, trauma, affordable or insurance covered therapy, weekend or flexible scheduling, or virtual sessions, you can find a therapist and get started when you are ready.
Why work with a licensed therapist near you?
Working with a licensed therapist near you gives you access to professional mental health support from someone trained to help you understand and manage what you are going through. A licensed therapist can offer evidence-based approaches, a steady space to talk, and guidance tailored to your situation. In New York, online therapy can make that care more accessible, since sessions happen from home or wherever you are, without the need to travel to an office. This can help if your schedule is full, if travel is difficult, or if you simply prefer a more discreet setting. You can learn more about what a therapist does on the therapist role page.
Online therapy can be especially helpful for people living across New York, where access to in-person mental health care may vary by location.
What concerns can therapists help with?
Therapists can help with a wide range of concerns, including anxiety and stress, depression, trauma and PTSD, self-esteem and identity, people-pleasing and fear of rejection, insomnia and racing thoughts, workplace stress and burnout, substance use, parenting and co-parenting stress, grief and loss, and relationship and family challenges. Therapists on BetterHelp may draw on approaches such as cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and dialectical behavior therapy (DBT), depending on your needs and goals. You can explore support for specific concerns on pages such as generalized anxiety disorder, major depressive disorder, posttraumatic stress disorder, attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder, and eating disorders.
Please note that therapists on BetterHelp do not provide psychiatric medication management or formal diagnoses.
Online therapy vs. in-person therapy in New York
Online therapy and in-person therapy both connect you with a licensed professional, and the main difference is how you meet. In New York, online therapy through BetterHelp lets you have sessions by phone, video, or in-app messaging, so you can meet from home or on a schedule that fits your life. In-person therapy takes place at an office and may involve travel and set appointment windows. Online therapy may be more accessible for people with busy schedules, limited transportation, or a preference for a more discreet setting. Both formats can support meaningful progress, so the right choice often comes down to what fits your life.
Finding a therapist that accepts insurance in New York
BetterHelp accepts insurance through many major insurance plans. Insurance availability and coverage may vary by state, plan, provider network, and therapist availability, and deductible status. Eligible members' copay is as low as $15, some pay $0.
You can check your in-network status on the BetterHelp site through the sign up flow. If you prefer to pay without insurance, BetterHelp subscriptions range from $70 to $100 per week, billed as an alternative way to access the same care, and you can use HSA and FSA funds toward the cost. For a full breakdown of how BetterHelp works with insurance plans, see BetterHelp insurance coverage.
How BetterHelp helps you find the right therapist in New York
BetterHelp helps you find the right therapist in New York through personalized matching that considers your needs, preferences, and goals. After you answer a few questions during the sign up flow, you can be matched with a licensed therapist from a network of over 30,000 professionals, and 93% of user preferences are met during matching. The search and location matching cover common near-me needs, including anxiety, trauma, affordable or sliding-scale support, weekend or flexible scheduling, and virtual sessions. If your first match is not the right fit, you can switch therapists at no extra cost. When you are ready, you can get started and begin the process.
Therapists near you in New York
Below, you’ll find licensed therapists authorized to provide online therapy to adults across New York, including residents in Tonawanda.
Each provider meets state licensing requirements and has experience supporting clients with a wide range of mental health concerns using evidence-based therapeutic approaches.
Please note: Therapists on BetterHelp in New York do not provide psychiatric medication management or formal diagnoses.
Frequently asked questions about finding a therapist near me
How much does therapy cost near me?
Therapy costs near you can vary by provider, format, and payment method. With BetterHelp, subscriptions range from $70 to $100 per week, and you can use HSA and FSA funds toward the cost. BetterHelp also accepts insurance through many major insurance plans, and eligible members' copay is as low as $15 per session. Insurance availability and coverage may vary by state, plan, provider network, and therapist availability, and deductible status.
Does BetterHelp accept insurance?
Yes. BetterHelp accepts insurance through many major insurance plans. Insurance availability and coverage may vary by state, plan, provider network, and therapist availability. Eligible members' copay is as low as $15 per session. Check your in-network status on the BetterHelp site through the sign up flow. For a full breakdown of how BetterHelp works with insurance plans, see BetterHelp insurance coverage.
Is online therapy effective?
Online therapy can be an effective way to receive licensed mental health care for many common concerns. Research suggests that online therapy may support progress in ways comparable to in-person care for concerns such as anxiety and depression. On BetterHelp, you connect with a licensed therapist who can use evidence-based approaches such as CBT and DBT, and you can meet by phone, video, or in-app messaging.
Do I need a diagnosis to see a therapist?
No, you do not need a diagnosis to see a therapist. Many people begin therapy to work through stress, life changes, relationships, or personal growth without any diagnosis. Please note that therapists on BetterHelp do not provide psychiatric medication management or formal diagnoses. If you are looking for a starting point, personalized matching can connect you with a licensed therapist suited to your goals.
How quickly can I start therapy?
You can often start therapy within 24 to 48 hours of signing up with BetterHelp. After you answer a few questions during the sign up flow, personalized matching connects you with a licensed therapist, and you can schedule your first session once you are matched. This process is designed to help you begin care at your own pace, without a long wait.
Can I switch therapists if it’s not the right fit?
Yes. If you feel your therapist is not the right match, you can request to be matched with another licensed provider at no additional cost. You are able to do so through the BetterHelp user portal and select switch therapists if needed.
Is online therapy discreet?
Online therapy with BetterHelp offers a discreet setting where you can connect with a licensed therapist from the comfort of your home. Sessions take place by phone, video, or in-app messaging, so you can meet without going into an office. Your account and sessions are protected with strong safeguards, and you choose how and where you attend. This can make therapy feel more comfortable for people who prefer a discreet way to get support.
Find a Therapist in Tonawanda, New York
Ready to begin? BetterHelp can match you with a licensed therapist serving Tonawanda and the surrounding NY area. When you are ready to take the next step, get started.