About Melissa
Melissa Massimo is a licensed clinical social worker in New York with 20 years of experience. She helps people facing addictions, relationship struggles, trauma and abuse, grief and loss, and low self-esteem. Melissa focuses on creating a calm, nonjudgmental space where people can talk about what matters most to them.
She encourages small steps and practical strategies that fit into everyday life. Sessions are a chance to sort through feelings, identify patterns, and try new ways of coping.
How Melissa works
Melissa aims to make the work feel manageable rather than overwhelming. Her years in practice have included many different settings and client concerns. That background allows her to draw on a range of approaches and real-world experience when supporting someone through change.
She values clear goals and regular check-ins so progress is visible. Melissa emphasizes listening first and responding with straightforward suggestions and support. She helps people notice what is keeping them stuck and then practices alternatives together during sessions.
The focus is on steady, practical progress toward a more satisfying life. People who reach out can expect warm, direct guidance and a steady presence through difficult moments. Melissa supports clients as they work through painful experiences and build skills to handle future challenges.
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.
- Addictions
- Relationship issues
- Trauma and abuse
Also listed
Training and background
| Register | LCSW |
|---|---|
| Years in practice | 20 |
| 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
Evidence-based techniques and online care
Melissa uses well-established, evidence-based therapeutic techniques that focus on practical change. One common approach involves building coping skills and relapse prevention strategies for addictions and stress. This approach teaches concrete steps to manage urges and build routine supports that reduce risk of relapse.Another key element is trauma-informed work that helps people safely process painful memories and reduce their hold on daily life. That work combines careful pacing with techniques to manage intense feelings so people can make sense of what happened and move forward. A third focus is grief and self-esteem work that helps people rebuild meaning and confidence after loss or setbacks by practicing new habits and self-directed goals.
Choosing the right approach is a collaborative process. The therapist will listen to your goals, try a few strategies, and adjust based on what helps. This means treatment is tailored to what you need and how you prefer to work.
Online therapy options include video calls, phone sessions, live chat, and text-based messaging. Video is useful for deeper conversations that benefit from visual cues. Phone sessions work well when bandwidth is limited or when you need a shorter check-in. Text and chat allow for flexible, brief support between sessions. These formats make it easier to fit therapy into a busy life and maintain steady momentum toward your goals.
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Common questions
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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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