Find a therapist in Ridgewood, NY — covered by insurance

I received my B.A. in Psychology at Macaulay Honors College, CUNY, and my M.Ed. and M.A. in Mental Health Counseling at Teachers College, Columbia University.

After graduating, I have been working as a therapist since 2021 with a specialty in the LGBTQ+ community. I have worked with depressive, anxiety (generalized, OCD), ADHD, mood, personality disorders and disordered eating. Experience includes working with issues of self esteem, stress, relationships, parenting, gender, identity, race/ethnicity, immigration, grief, trauma, substances, habits, motivation, focus and attention.

My interests and clinical focuses include self-care, minority body image, Latinx mental health, psychosis in youth, and am passionate about self-acceptance/love. I created and use the motto "Write your own narrative" in my annual bootcamp as a reminder that we each have our own story and control over it.

Welcome, and thank you for being here. Reaching out isn’t always easy, and I’m glad you’ve taken this step. I’m a licensed social worker with over eight years of experience helping individuals navigate anxiety, depression, trauma, and chronic medical conditions. My goal is to create a space where you feel heard, supported, and comfortable working at your own pace.

Do you feel overwhelmed and consumed by stressful life situations? I just may be your answer to relieving some of the emotional stress experienced as I specialize in providing individual therapy. Everyone has the right to feel emotionally healthy and live stress free. I believe this begins with giving yourself permission to address those emotions/behaviors that are disrupting your life. For some of my patients their treatment includes resolving issues from their past and moving forward. My style with patients is always collaborative, interactive and motivating. I use empathic and deep listening to HEAR my patients.

I use therapeutic approaches that are appropriate for each individual situation. I’m a culturally competent therapist who is passionate about helping you understand yourself, experiences, relationships and the world you live in. My therapeutic approach includes a combination of insight-oriented psychotherapy and cognitive-behavioral therapy. Of most importance to, me is working with you to achieve your goals through counseling session. I strive to meet you “where you are” and move you forward to heal, change and grow in positive ways. I provide counseling on a wide range of issues such as anxiety, depression, trauma, relationship difficulties, educational concerns, work and life balance.

As a Licensed Clinical Social Worker, I believe healing and growth are possible. I am here to support your goals and help you achieve the best version of you! I work with adults 18+ with a variety of mental health diagnoses. I specialize in those who may struggle with suicidal ideations, BPD, or Bipolar Disorder. Thank you for visiting my page and I hope we can begin this therapeutic journey together!

I provide a neutral, non-judgmental zone to explore and find positive coping strategies that can improve daily living. I believe that positive coping strategies will empower us to live our best lives. I will aid you in finding and exploring factors in your past and present that have hindered you from recognizing your internal strength, thereby empowering you to move forward and become mentally healthier. I hold a strong belief that talk therapy allows for a collaborative effort to utilize grounded theories as the tools needed to help you heal, change, accept and live your best life.

I’m a Licensed Mental Health Counselor, and my background blends clinical skills in both counseling and nursing. I have years of experience working with adults navigating anxiety, relationship patterns, identity questions, and major life transitions.

I’m a clear communicator and bring emotional steadiness and the ability to understand people quickly to my work.

In my practice, I work primarily with adults who want to understand themselves more deeply, break long‐standing patterns, and feel more grounded and confident in their daily lives. I have extensive experience supporting clients who struggle with self‐criticism, avoidance, perfectionism, and the lingering impact of family dynamics. I also work with high‐functioning professionals to help them maximize their insights, achieve balance, and unlock their potential.

Outside of my clinical work, I’m grounded by a long, loving marriage, a close circle of friends, and a life that includes equal parts structure and humor. I’m a dog person, someone who values connection and curiosity, and I try to show up fully in the relationships that matter. These parts of my life shape the way I practice: with steadiness, clarity, and a genuine respect for the complexity of being human.

Nice to meet you!

As a Mental Health Counselor I am deeply passionate about helping individuals heal, grow, and reach their full potential. My work is fueled by my strong belief that everyone has the capacity to create change in their lives. My specialties are:

· Anxiety

· Depression

· Addiction & recovery

· Stress Management

· Trauma and PTSD

· Faith based (Christian) counseling

Hello, I’m Melissa Alcaide, LCSW. I have worked in human services since 2009, supporting individuals through a wide range of personal and life challenges. My professional experience includes providing supportive counseling in correctional settings, outpatient mental health services for individuals living with serious mental illness, housing and homelessness services, and helping people navigate complex systems and life transitions. I hold a Master’s degree in Social Work, a Master’s degree in Human Services Leadership, and a degree in Paralegal Studies.

Today, I am especially passionate about helping individuals struggling with anxiety, OCD, relationship concerns, self-esteem, life transitions, and building greater confidence in themselves and their decisions.

Whether you're coming to therapy individually, as a couple, or as a family, my goal is to create a supportive, nonjudgmental space where you feel understood, challenged in healthy ways, and empowered to move toward lasting growth.