About Melissa
"Between stimulus and response there is a space. In that space is our power to choose our response. In our response lies our growth and our freedom."
- Viktor E. Frankl
About Melissa
She/Her/Hers
After graduating with a B.A. from the University of Pennsylvania, I pursued a career in corporate communications where I worked with C-suite executives in the financial, legal services, B2B and nonprofit sectors. However, I realized I wanted to make a difference and help others improve their lives, so pursued my M.S.W. at Columbia University's School of Social Work.
Since obtaining my M.S.W., and prior to opening my private practice, my experience has included working at a community-based mental health clinic serving low-income New Yorkers, on a forensic ACT team, as a geriatric care manager for high net-worth elderly individuals and their caregivers, counseling survivors of sexual assault, families interfacing with the foster care system and adults in the criminal justice system.
Click here to learn more about Melissa's approach to therapy.
Education & Training
Education
University of Pennsylvania, B.A. in Intellectual History
Columbia University, M.S. in Social Work
External Coursework
Teachers College, Columbia University: Cognitive Development, Theories of Counseling & Psychotherapy, Organizational Psychology
Columbia Business School: The Nonprofit Sector in NYC
Columbia SIPA: Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR), Non-Profit Business Management
New York University, Silver School of Social Work: Human Development; Social Welfare Policy
NYC born and raised, I attended the following schools:
The Spence School (K-8)
The Horace Mann School (9-12)
Temple Emmanuel Nursery School
Certifications
Certified in Mental Health First Aid
Certified in Overdose Prevention and Response by the NYC Department of Health and Mental Hygiene, Bureau of Alcohol and Drug Use Prevention, Care and Treatment
Licensure
Licensed Clinical Social Worker, New York State
Trainings
Sarah Lawrence College, The Child Development Institute
The National Institute for the Clinical Application of Behavioral Medicine (NICABM)
PESI - various trainings in Mindfulness, ADHD, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT), Trauma-Informed Practice, Technology Addiction
Further Background
My dedication to lifelong learning, community service and hard work goes as far back as I can remember. Born and raised in NYC, I attended the Spence School and Horace Mann School where I was head of the Psychology and Community Service clubs while competing year-round on a travel club soccer team. I obtained a B.A. in Intellectual History from the University of Pennsylvania where I joined a freshman hall community dedicated to community service in west Philadelphia. After Penn I participated in an international development consulting project in Central America before pursuing a career in corporate communications in the private equity, B2B and legal services sectors. From there I realized I wanted to make more of a difference and started consulting and volunteering with the Hunts Point Alliance for Children in the Southeast Bronx. There I recognized my passion for helping underserved communities and decided to pivot careers. I obtained my M.S. in Social Work from Columbia University where I also took courses in the Business School, Teachers College and SIPA.