Find a licensed online therapist in Pelham, NY

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.

Hi there! My name is Janita Ramar and I am a Licensed Mental Health Counselor with experience working with individuals with a host of mental health diagnoses including (depression, anxiety, and bipolar disorders) as well as stress-related difficulties, trauma-related issues, and substance use disorders. The stigma associated with obtaining mental health treatment can be discouraging at times, so I applaud you for finding the strength to seek help and focus on YOU! My main focus during the initial stages of therapy is establishing a therapeutic relationship which is based on empathy and trust, then working toward collaborating and creating goals based on the client’s needs/preference. I encourage clients to partake in their process of healing and growth while having the platform to share thoughts/feelings freely without fear of judgment. I find it essential to discuss therapeutic techniques and approaches with clients in order to enable them to engage and begin to establish ownership of their treatment. I operate from the stance that a therapeutic alliance that encompasses honesty, openness, and unconditional positive regard is key in promoting progress in a client’s treatment process. My approach in assisting clients is strength-based, person-centered, as well as solution-focused to name a few. I find it is essential to meet a client where he or she is at and assist them in processing and deciding what they hope to focus on. Being a source of support, acceptance, and trust are qualities that I strongly value and contribute to the counseling relationship. I am passionate about assisting clients with growing, healing, and ultimately bettering themselves and leading fulfilling lives. I believe that the process of change is largely person-based and levels of motivation play a large role in regulating change. I strongly believe that each client has the ability to overcome obstacles and is able to progress greatly with the development/utilization of coping skills, and having empathetic support from a dedicated therapist which I hope to be for you. You have already taken ownership of your therapeutic process by starting here! I would be honored to assist you in your road to developing a healthy and happier YOU!

By way of introduction, I am John Shafer, LCSW-R. In 1998, I graduated from Syracuse University's School of Social Work with my master's in social work. Throughout my social work career, I strived to learn from the highest credentialed and experienced professionals. Background wise, I have experience working with people in the following areas: rural community mental health settings, school-based mental health settings, city and suburban settings. Vocationally, diversification of approaches to working with people from an array of different environments provided my basis for success. I worked with people across the spectrum of age ranges from three years old to people in their nineties. Also, I gained experience working with people from different socio-economic statuses. Over the years, my ongoing diversity training afforded me opportunities to hone my clinical skills related to populations covering a wide gamut of racial and ethnic backgrounds. I sought to develop techniques to address gender identity expressions that was done in a culturally sensitive manner. Along the way, I prided myself on developing counseling and psycho-therapy skills. In the course of working with people, the therapy models I used most often included: Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Dialectical Behavioral Therapy, Mindfulness, Narrative Therapy, Strengths Based Therapy, and Solution-Focused Therapy. In general, my employment opportunities accorded me the chance to develop clinical skills. I implemented different types of therapy such as individual therapy, couple's therapy and group therapy; all of which provided me with professional development opportunities. Interweaving professional experiences with evidence based therapy models, I work collaboratively with people to attain client-centered and person-centered goals.

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 licensed in New York with 10 years of professional work experience. I have experience in helping clients with stress and anxiety, coping with addictions, relationship issues, & trauma and abuse. 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 23 years of professional work experience. I have experience in helping clients with relationship issues, anxiety, depression & coping with grief and loss. 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 with 5 years of professional work experience. I have experience in helping clients with family conflicts, parenting issues, & motivation, self esteem, and confidence. 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 sign up for therapy can take courage and I am proud of you for getting started!

I am licensed in New York with 28 years of professional work experience. I have experience in helping clients with relationship issues, trauma and abuse, coping with grief and loss, & 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. 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 36 years of professional work experience. I have experience in helping clients with stress and anxiety, coping with addictions, trauma and abuse, & bipolar disorder. 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 10 years of professional work experience. I have experience in helping clients with stress and anxiety, trauma and abuse, motivation, self esteem, and confidence, & career difficulties. 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 sign up for therapy can take courage and I am proud of you for getting started!

I am licensed in New York with 6 years of professional work experience. I have experience in helping clients with stress, anxiety, relationship issues, family conflicts, trauma, 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 18 years of professional work experience. I have experience in helping clients with stress, anxiety, coping with addictions, bipolar disorder, & depression. 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 and bring over 11 years of professional experience as a therapist. I earned my graduate degree from New York University (NYU), where I received a strong foundation in clinical social work and evidence-based therapeutic practices. Over the years, I’ve had the honor of working with a wide range of individuals facing challenges such as stress, anxiety, depression, trauma and abuse, career difficulties, and adjusting to major life changes. I also had the meaningful experience of working with World Trade Center (WTC) first responders through the FDNY, which deepened my understanding of trauma, resilience, and the unique mental health needs of those in high-stress professions. I believe in treating everyone with respect, sensitivity, and compassion. My approach is personalized and collaborative—I tailor our dialogue and treatment plan to reflect your unique needs, values, and goals. I draw from a range of evidence-based interventions, including: Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) – to help challenge and reframe unhelpful thoughts Solution-Focused Therapy – to set meaningful goals and focus on your strengths Trauma-Informed Care – to support healing in a safe, grounded way Mindfulness-Based Strategies – to improve emotional regulation and self-awareness Narrative Therapy – to help reshape the stories we tell about ourselves Person-Centered Therapy – to foster autonomy, empowerment, and unconditional support It takes courage to reach out and begin the process of change. Whether you're feeling stuck, overwhelmed, or simply looking for deeper self-understanding, I’m here to support and empower you on your journey toward a more fulfilling life.

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.