I help people navigate the emotional and relational impact of sexual health concerns, build self-trust, and reconnect with intimacy, relationships, and themselves.
(available in person in NYC, virtually in California, Florida, Upstate NY, and Long Island)
This might be the turning point.
You’re not alone—and things don’t have to stay this way.
You're up late scrolling, trying to distract yourself or trying to find answers. You’ve been feeling more anxious, down, and alone. You’re replaying thoughts over and over in your mind. You feel like you lost something or something you’ve longed for is becoming out of reach.
Many people find me because of a herpes diagnosis — a moment that can turn your world upside down. But we usually end up exploring so much more: identity, confidence, dating, relationships, anxiety, and what it means to feel good in your own skin.
While I have expertise supporting people navigating a herpes diagnosis, I also work with individuals facing a wide range of emotional and relational challenges. What connects all my clients is that they’ve reached a point where something needs to change — they want more for themselves, they’re tired of struggling, and they’re ready to understand what’s holding them back and find a way to move forward.
Therapy for When You’re Not Where You Thought You’d Be
I’m Melissa, and I provide a warm, compassionate space for individuals who want to make sense of these hard moments — especially when they’re tied to sexuality, self-esteem, or the unexpected experience of a diagnosis like genital herpes.
We might talk about unsatisfying dating patterns, attachment, internal conflicts, emotional eating, feeling disconnected from your body, or your ability to trust yourself. Whether you’re navigating shame, anxiety, or just the deep ache of life not going the way you hoped, you don’t have to do it alone.
My practice is a space where we can talk openly about things that are hard to talk about — sex, self-esteem, dating, loneliness — and where we can build toward a sense of authenticity, confidence, and agency.
In-Person Therapy in NYC and Virtual in CA & FL
If you're feeling anxious or unsure about how to move forward, therapy can help. I’d love to support you. I offer a free, 15-minute phone consultation to see if we’re a good fit.
Contact me here to schedule a time to speak. You’re not too much. You’re worth the care you need.
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Usually, the free consultation call happens over the phone, though it can also be done virtually.
If you are unsure or nervous, there’s no need to worry. I will guide you through the conversation. I typically begin by asking about what happened that made you interested in counseling. My goal is to get a sense of your needs so I can determine if I can be helpful to you.
After you share a bit about yourself, I may ask a few questions to learn more. I will then take a bit of time to explain how I work, and then give you an opportunity to ask any questions you might have for me about counseling.
If at this point I have a sense that I can be helpful to you and you also feel good about the conversation, then we'll schedule our first appointment.
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During the fist session, I typically ask more in depth questions about the primary reasons you decided to come to counseling. My goal is to get to know you much better and to begin thinking more deeply about how I can help.
For some people, this means the first session focuses entirely on their primary concern. For others, we also find time to discuss their background and any other concerns they might be experiencing in their life.
Sessions 2 and 3 will focus on taking a thorough history about your life, mental health, family, etc. This is so I can gather some context around who you are and what components of your life and history are important to thinking about your concerns.
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I have found that meeting weekly is the most effective way to help clients start to feel better, achieve their goals, and sustain progress. In some cases, I work with people twice per week.
Doing healing work at the level that will sustain long-term change takes time. I’m excited to walk with you through that process.
When we schedule our first appointment after the free consultation call, we’ll talk about what times work best for you.
I typically have weekend, early morning (before work), and weekday openings for in person (or virtual) therapy. I have a few evenings openings for virtual therapy as well.
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Individual sessions are $240 for 45 minutes.
Couples sessions are $275 for 50 minutes.
Group therapy is generally $95 per session, 90 minutes each.
You are entitled to a *Good Faith Estimate that will be provided after your initial consultation if you decide to schedule.
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I am not contracted with any insurance providers. I’ve chosen to remain out-of-network with insurance plans in order to provide tailored care that is not limited by the restraints of insurance.
I can provide a statement that you can submit for out-of-network reimbursement if your plan allows. I’m happy to guide you through some questions to ask your insurance company to find out what’s covered.
Some questions you may want to consider asking your insurance are:
Do I have out-of-network mental health benefits?
What percentage of the fee is covered?
What is the deductible? And when does my plan renew, requiring me to pay the deductible again?
Are there any limitations (such as limit to number of sessions)?
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I am passionate about helping clients who struggle with self-esteem, dating and relationships, and issues related to sexual health. I have specialized expertise in helping individuals diagnosed with genital herpes. I also have experience with depression, anxiety, faith-based and spiritual concerns (particularly for those who come from a Christian background), alcohol and other substance use concerns, sexual assault, and HIV. I proudly serve and welcome individuals from the heterosexual, gay/bi, and transgender communities.
I am a Licensed Mental Health Counselor in New York State (Lic. # 007138). I am also a Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor in California (Lic. #16249) and a Licensed Mental Health Counselor in Florida (#MH2296). I previously worked with the Research Foundation for Mental Hygiene providing psychotherapy in New York City's public STD clinics. I have provided training to physicians on brief counseling for individuals diagnosed with genital herpes. I have also provided training on counseling individuals diagnosed with genital herpes to students in mental health counseling programs as well as to other licensed therapists. I have received post-graduate training certificates in Interpersonal Psychoanalytic Psychotherapy and in Eating Disorders, Compulsions, and Addictions from the William Alanson White Institute of Psychiatry, Psychoanalysis, and Psychology. I am currently in advanced sex therapy training through the Sexual Health Alliance.
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If patients who are working with me in person cannot attend their regular session in person due to illness or another conflict, we can arrange a virtual session in most cases.
In addition, due to difficulty finding therapists in my area of specialty, I offer virtual therapy to individuals in California, Florida, Upstate New York, and Long Island.
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You can reach out via my contact page. I’ll get back to you with a few times for a free 15-minute consultation so we can talk and see if it feels like a good fit.
COUNSELING SERVICES - WHO I HELP
You may look like you’re holding it all together — but inside, you feel anxious, stuck, or uncertain about how to move forward. Maybe you're tired of overthinking, tired of performing, tired of feeling like it’s all on you. In therapy, we’ll create space for you—your real feelings and your real thoughts and worries about what is going on. Together, we can explore the deeper patterns that affect your self-worth, relationships, sexuality, and confidence — and help you reconnect with or define your values so you can move forward with more clarity, agency, and trust in yourself.
A herpes diagnosis can feel isolating, overwhelming, and disorienting. But it doesn't have to define you. I offer a compassionate space to process the shock, shame, and confusion — and to help you reconnect with your sense of self, sexuality, and self-worth. Whether this is all new or something you’ve been quietly carrying for years, you don’t have to face it alone.
Learn more about counseling for women with herpes, counseling for men with herpes, or the therapy group for women with herpes.
Sexuality is deeply personal — and often layered with thoughts, feelings, fears, and desires we’ve never spoken aloud. You may be struggling with low desire, pain during sex, difficulty achieving orgasm, performance anxiety, or changes related to perimenopause or menopause. You may simply want to understand yourself more fully. I offer a supportive, nonjudgmental space to explore these concerns at your own pace — wherever you are in your journey.