Find a therapist in Merrick, NY — covered by insurance

I’m Dr. Joe Yanni, a licensed psychologist with over two decades of experience supporting adolescents, young adults, adults, and families through life’s challenges. I began my career as a full-time school psychologist, a role I continue to hold, working with students with emotional disabilities in a specialized setting outside New York City. That experience gave me a deep understanding of how anxiety, trauma, family dynamics, emotional regulation, and academic demands can intersect during key stages of development.

My work is grounded in trust, compassion, and a practical desire to help people move forward emotionally and in daily life. I use an integrative, research-informed approach that blends cognitive-behavioral therapy, psychodynamic theory, humanistic care, person-centered therapy, and lifestyle-based strategies. Therapy should feel collaborative and personalized, not clinical or scripted.

In private practice, I help clients better understand what is getting in the way, identify patterns that contribute to distress, and develop practical strategies for change. Whether someone is struggling with anxiety, stress, relationship concerns, school-related challenges, low confidence, emotional regulation, or life transitions, my goal is to provide thoughtful, individualized care that supports clarity, coping, and meaningful progress.

I work best with clients who want therapy to feel thoughtful, active, and practical. My style is warm but direct, and I try to help clients connect insight with real-life change. I work with adolescents, young adults, adults, and families in person in Scarsdale and Pleasantville, as well as virtually throughout New York State.

As a Licensed Mental Health Therapist, I am a firm believer in the importance of taking care of your mental health. I have worked with individuals, families, and groups of all ages, supporting clients through concerns such as anxiety, depression, grief, trauma, identity exploration, and life transitions.

I work with people who are stuck at certain crossroads in their life. Typically, the external problems seem to solve themselves once therapy reaches a certain point. This applies to work, relationships, life goals, and creative pursuits. My job is to help you transform mental or physical pain into something that is bearable and makes life worth living.

I work with a wide range of clients.

I welcome any questions you have. Feel free to give me a call or email with any questions you have about starting therapy.

I have a background in academia and the arts. Before training as a psychoanalyst, I ran a writing center for graduate students at NYU where I helped students articulate their thoughts and ideas and understand their anxieties around writing. Now, I work with my patients in a similar fashion, through deep listening, helping them express themselves and better understand what may be getting in their way of living the life they want.

My name is Melissa Salce, and I’m a Licensed Therapist in New York. Over the past nine years, I’ve had the privilege of working with individuals facing a variety of challenges, including anxiety, depression, PTSD, personal growth, and life transitions.

I'm a therapist trained in Psychoanalysis and Creative Arts Therapies with twenty years years of experience.

I have experience working with depression, anxiety, addiction, relationship issues, sexual difficulties, trauma, loss, end of life issues, and coping with medical illness. My practice is diverse in terms of culture, race, and sexual orientation. I offer online telehealth in NY and CT. Please reach out with any further questions or to make an appointment.

I am a licensed clinical social worker (LCSW) and a certified oncology social worker (OSW-C). I specialize in supporting individuals who are coping with a cancer diagnosis, have a loved one with cancer, or are grieving. I have been in the field for nearly a decade, but have worked in the oncology, palliative care and bereavement space for the past 6 years.