Melanie Giarratano, LMHC, LCMHC

Melanie Giarratano is a Licensed Mental Health Counselor (LMHC) and a Licensed Clinical Mental Health Counselor (LCMHC) with four years of experience. She works with adults on problems like anxiety, depression, anger, addictions, relationship strain, parenting stress, ADHD, and coping with life changes. Sessions are offered in English and she accepts international clients.

Melanie trained in neuroscience for her bachelor’s degree and completed a master’s in mental health counseling at SUNY College at Old Westbury. Early research into stress and post-traumatic responses shaped how she understands trauma and fear patterns. That background informs her current work in inpatient psychiatric settings with people who have significant trauma histories.

Her counseling style draws from several approaches. She uses motivational interviewing to set concrete goals and encourage change-talk. She applies person-centered methods when a client is motivated but needs supportive guidance. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy is used with clients who want practical tools like thought records and behavior experiments.

Melanie also incorporates psychodynamic ideas to look at development, family context, and relational patterns. Dialectical Behavior Therapy and mindfulness techniques appear in her toolbox for emotion regulation and grounding skills. She runs both group and individual therapy in inpatient and outpatient contexts, and has experience across a range of client situations.

Outside of work she prioritizes balance through yoga, biking, time with friends and family, and activities with her dog. She encourages clients to try self-care practices that fit their daily life and to use skills between sessions to support steady progress.

How her approaches translate to online work