Melanie Giarratano, LMHC, LCMHC

Melanie Giarratano is a Licensed Mental Health Counselor (LMHC, LCMHC) based in New York. She brings four years of clinical work in inpatient psychiatric settings and outpatient care. Melanie aims to help people who are facing stress, anxiety, mood changes, addiction concerns, or struggles with relationships and self-esteem.

Her path began with a bachelor’s degree in neuroscience at the University of Delaware and a master’s degree in mental health counseling from SUNY College at Old Westbury. Early research into stress and PTSD shaped her perspective on how trauma changes fear responses. That work influences how she understands clients with complex trauma histories.

Melanie blends several methods to match each person’s needs. She often uses cognitive behavioral techniques to help people notice and change unhelpful thoughts and behaviors. She also draws on client-centered ideas to offer support and dialectical behavior strategies when emotion regulation and distress tolerance are priorities.

Sessions can include goal-focused conversation, skill practice, and short homework like thought logs or coping plans for people who want practical steps between meetings. She values motivational interviewing to help people move toward change and solution-focused ideas to keep attention on present and future improvements.

Outside of work, Melanie practices yoga, rides her bike, and spends time with friends and her dog. She encourages clients to try self-care activities that feel realistic and uplifting as part of their overall progress.

How Melanie blends talk therapy and practical skills online

Melanie often uses cognitive behavioral therapy to help people notice the link between thoughts, feelings, and actions. That approach includes learning to spot thinking patterns, trying small behavior experiments, and using tools like thought logs to change unhelpful cycles. Client-centered therapy is another part of her work; it emphasizes listening, support, and helping people find their own goals and solutions.

She also uses elements of dialectical behavior therapy when emotional regulation and distress tolerance are needed. Those skills teach breathing, grounding, and step-by-step strategies to reduce overwhelm and stay grounded during intense feelings. Finding the right mix of approaches is collaborative - she will work with each person to choose what fits their goals, history, and comfort level and adjust methods over time.

Online formats include video calls, phone sessions, live chat, and text-based messaging. Video sessions allow face-to-face conversation and skill demonstrations. Phone sessions can be a simpler option when low bandwidth or walking breaks are preferred. Live chat and messaging make brief check-ins and skill prompts possible between sessions. These options help clients fit therapy into busy schedules and continue progress from wherever they are.