Melissa Albano

I am a Licensed Clinical Social Worker and psychotherapist with extensive experience providing compassionate, evidence-based therapy to individuals and couples, as well as adolescents and families. I work with clients experiencing anxiety, depression, grief, relationship difficulties, life transitions, substance use concerns, and other emotional and behavioral challenges. I also provide sex therapy and have extensive experience working with members of the LGBTQ+ community. Whether you are struggling individually or working through challenges in a relationship, my goal is to provide a safe, supportive space where you can talk openly, better understand what is happening, and begin making meaningful changes.

I earned my Master of Social Work from New York University and have a diverse clinical background that extends beyond traditional outpatient therapy. Before focusing on psychotherapy, I spent many years working as a medical social worker and care coordinator in hospital and community health settings. During that time, I supported individuals and families navigating medical and behavioral health concerns, chronic illness, substance use, domestic violence, psychiatric crises, and other difficult life circumstances.

These experiences have shaped the way I practice today. I understand that emotional well-being is often connected to relationships, physical health, family dynamics, work, identity, sexuality, and the practical pressures of everyday life. Rather than looking at a concern in isolation, I try to understand the larger context of what you are experiencing and how the different parts of your life may be affecting one another.

My approach to therapy is warm, empathetic, collaborative, and goal-oriented. I draw from evidence-based approaches including Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), and solution-focused interventions, adapting our work to your individual needs and circumstances. I believe therapy should provide insight, but it should also help you develop practical skills you can use outside of our sessions. Together, we may work on managing difficult emotions, changing unhelpful patterns, improving communication, strengthening relationships, setting healthier boundaries, or navigating a major transition. I want our work to be focused on the areas that will make a meaningful difference in your life.

For couples, I provide a supportive and nonjudgmental environment where both partners have an opportunity to feel heard. We can work together to identify patterns that may be creating conflict or distance, improve communication and emotional connection, address intimacy or sexual concerns, and develop healthier ways of navigating disagreements. My role is not to take sides, but to help you better understand one another and determine practical ways to strengthen your relationship.

Creating a safe, affirming environment is particularly important to me. I have extensive experience working with LGBTQ+ clients and welcome individuals and couples who want a therapist who is comfortable discussing identity, sexuality, relationships, intimacy, and other personal concerns openly and without judgment. I believe you should be able to bring your whole self into therapy and feel respected, understood, and supported.

During our first session, I will take the time to understand what has brought you to therapy, what you are experiencing now, and what you would like to change or improve. We will discuss relevant experiences, relationships, symptoms, strengths, and approaches you may have tried in the past. From there, we will begin developing a treatment plan that is personalized to you rather than following a one-size-fits-all approach. Drawing on my clinical experience, I will help you identify practical strategies and achievable goals that we can work toward together. My goal is for you to leave our first meeting feeling heard and understood, with greater clarity about what you want to accomplish and a practical path for moving forward.