Hi there! It’s great to meet you all! I’m a certified therapist specializing in Telemental Health, Grief, and Trauma. As a woman of color, I deeply understand the unique challenges that BIPOC adults face in today’s world. Whether it’s dealing with societal expectations or the weight of racial and gender biases, I’m here to walk alongside you and provide the support you need.My areas of expertise include anxiety, depression, self-esteem, relationships, grief, racial trauma, and even career exploration. My aim is to empower you to create positive changes in your life. I believe in a strengths-based approach to therapy, where we work together to identify your unique strengths and use them to tackle challenges effectively. I also incorporate Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) to help reframe thoughts and behaviors, offering you practical techniques for problem-solving, stress management, and making lasting behavioral changes. Our sessions are goal-oriented and may even include some homework to practice what we discuss. At the heart of my philosophy is collaboration. Think of us as partners on this journey—I'm here to provide the tools and support, but you’re the one who charts your own path to growth and transformation. Just like an architect who helps you design a structure rather than building it for you, I empower you to carve out your own success. Together, we’ll establish a solid foundation so you can face future challenges with confidence and your own unique strategies. I can’t wait to start this journey with you!
What can clients expect to take away from sessions with you?
At the end of a session, my hope is that my client walks away feeling heard for possibly the first time in their lives. I find that most people do not have a safe space in their lives that is both empathetic and objective where they can be fully themselves. Starting therapy can be overwhelming, but I aim to create a warm, welcoming environment. In our first session, we'll get to know each other, complete an intake form to understand your symptoms and important life aspects. I want to hear your concerns so we can work together to create a personalized plan that fits your needs. Together, we'll review my recommendations and explore alternative treatment options or referrals if necessary. I'm here to support you on this journey!
Explain to clients what areas you feel are your biggest strengths.
Two of my greatest strengths in my experience as a therapist are my creativity and my resourcefulness. I pride myself on retaining resources to assist my clients in their learning process such as worksheets, as well as referral sources that are local to their community in the event that they prefer to receive long-term/specialized treatment in person. I was able to hone my referral skills by creating a diverse mental health resource referral book that includes mental health resources for 4 of the 5 boroughs in New York City. It also includes resources for immigration assitance, homeless services, BIPOC specific services, differently abled services, and support groups. As a person of color, I have a commitment to working with clients who are part of communities much like my own that are underserved in the area of mental health. I also have a personal goal to help break the stigma surrounding mental illness in minority communities.
Describe the client(s) you are best positioned to serve.
I have extensive experience working with young women who are first generation college students/professionals and are trying to find a work-life-school balance while also attending to the many roles they play in their lives. I am best positioned to serve clients struggling with anxiety, depression, relationship issues, self-esteem, social anxiety, grief, and life transitions. I also have experience providing clients with career counseling.
About Stefani Melendez
Identifies as
Serves ages
Licensed in
Accepts
Appointments
VirtualMy treatment methods
Cognitive Behavioral (CBT)
I utilize Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) to help clients recognize and reframe recurring unhelpful thoughts and learned behavioral patterns causing emotional distress. Through CBT, clients learn problem-solving, resilience, relaxation, and stress management skills. Behavioral changes, including assertiveness training through role-play, are integral to treatment. CBT sessions are goal-oriented, with worksheets provided for skill practice between sessions.
Narrative
In narrative therapy, I work closely with clients to explore and transform their life stories, focusing on the parts that are linked to their struggles. By breaking down the narrative into smaller pieces, we help create a sense of order in what might seem like an emotional whirlwind. Clients can separate themselves from their problems, understanding that these issues do not define who they are. By taking on the role of the storyteller, clients gain the power to rewrite the ending, opening up the path to a future that reflects their authentic selves and highlights their strengths and possibilities.
Strength-Based
Strength-based therapy focuses on your internal strengths and resourcefulness, rather than on your weaknesses or failures. I work with clients to identify their strengths and how to utilize them effectively to build solutions. The goal is also to improve resilience by creating an internal coping skills toolbox that they can pull from if a similar situation arises in the future.
Grief Therapy
Grieving is a deeply personal journey that extends beyond the realm of losing a loved one. In my experience, I've had the privilege of supporting individuals navigating through invisible forms of grief that tend to go unnoticed by those around them. These non-death related sources of grief may stem from various life events such as the end of a relationship, job transitions, the passing of a beloved pet, battling chronic illness, experiencing reproductive challenges, feeling disconnected from one's spirituality, or grappling with the changes that come with aging. Unfortunately, these types of losses are often downplayed or misunderstood by society, leaving individuals feeling pressured to conceal their emotions. My aim is to offer a safe and understanding space where these losses can be acknowledged, explored, and where individuals can acquire valuable coping mechanisms along the way.