About Melissa
Melissa Brunetti is an LCSW who aims to help people feel heard and less alone. She speaks plainly, listens carefully, and focuses on practical steps that can ease daily stress and worry. She has 10 years of experience working as a therapist in special education and independent practice in New York.
That background gives her experience with people who face social challenges and mood differences. Melissa focuses on anxiety, depression, bipolar concerns, trauma and abuse, and struggles with self-esteem.
How Melissa works
Sessions concentrate on identifying strengths and building small, useful skills. She helps people reframe negative thoughts, practice emotional regulation, and try new ways of coping. Work is paced to match each person's needs rather than following a fixed script.
Melissa also supports people who feel isolated or who are navigating panic attacks, paranoia, or autism-related social differences. Her style is patient and direct, and she aims to make ideas easy to use between sessions. Therapy is collaborative: she and the client set goals together and pick practical tools to reach them.
Appointments may include talking, short exercises, and homework that fits everyday life. The focus is on building confidence and clearer routines that make daily life feel more manageable.
What Melissa works with
The areas below are the ones Melissa selected when setting up a profile. The first few are listed as the main focus; the rest are also named.
Also listed
- Autism and Asperger Syndrome
- Bipolar disorder
- Depression
- Isolation / loneliness
- Mood disorders
- Panic disorder and panic attacks
- Paranoia
- Self-love
Training and background
| Register | LCSW |
|---|---|
| Years in practice | 10 |
| Languages | English |
| Session format | Online: video, phone, live chat or messaging |
| Country | New York |
Memberships and registers are shown as supplied; they are not licences, and this directory does not verify them.
Online support options
How evidence-based methods translate to online therapy
Melissa uses evidence-based therapeutic techniques that focus on practical change. One approach emphasizes identifying and changing unhelpful thought patterns to reduce anxiety and depressive symptoms; this helps people notice automatic thoughts and learn alternative ways of thinking. Another approach centers on building emotional regulation skills through short exercises and behavioral strategies; this is useful for panic, mood swings, and overwhelm.Choosing the right approach is part of the work and happens together. The therapist and client discuss goals, try methods that match those goals, and adjust the plan based on what helps. This collaborative process makes it easier to find tools that fit each person's life and preferences.
Online sessions are offered as video calls, phone sessions, live chat, or text-based messaging to increase flexibility. Video calls allow face-to-face conversation; phone sessions can be simpler when bandwidth or camera use is difficult. Live chat and text work well for quick check-ins, brief skill practice, or revisiting homework between meetings. These options make it easier to schedule regular sessions and keep progress moving forward.
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Common questions
What problems does she help with?
How does Melissa approach therapy?
What is her clinical background?
What are her credentials and where is she based?
Can I work with her in another language or from another country?
What formats are available for sessions?
How does payment work and what does it cost?
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A practical next step
Write down two things you would want to be different in six months. That is the most useful thing to bring to a first session, whoever it is with. If you would rather start now than keep reading, online sessions are the quickest route.
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