MaryEllen Benalcazar
Hi! I'm Mary Ellen. I'm so glad you're here! I specialize in helping young adults who are feeling anxious, uncertain, or stuck. My goal is to help you understand yourself better, manage your stress, and feel more grounded in your next steps. If you are navigating college and career decisions, relationship stressors, or the transition to parenthood - you don’t have to figure it out alone. I’m a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) in New York, Pennsylvania, and Connecticut and have been a therapist for 9 years. I use a variety of approaches to help clients including Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), and Mindfulness.
I help young adults manage their anxiety and improve their self-esteem so they can confidently succeed in all areas of their lives.
First session
In our first session, we’ll briefly get to know each other and I’ll answer any questions you have about the process of therapy with me. Then we’ll chat about the specific challenges you’re facing now as well as your past history, so that we can create a plan for our work together that is specific to your strengths, needs, and abilities in order to help you reach your goals.
Strengths
While I have tools and resources that can help you reach your goals, you are the expert on your life and are in the driver’s seat in therapy, too! I like to serve as the passenger and co-pilot, sharing tools and giving suggestions, but ultimately the decisions are up to you. My role is to provide you the support and encouragement to make the decisions that are best for you and your happiness.
Ideal clients
I love working with young adults who are navigating the many changes life brings during this transition to adulthood. My clients are ready to step into their power and become this exciting next version of themselves, but are looking for the encouragement, tools, and structure to help make it happen.
Treatment methods
Cognitive Behavioral (CBT)
I use CBT with clients experiencing anxiety and depression to help them understand the relationship between their thoughts, feelings, and behaviors and change thinking patterns that are keeping them feeling stuck.
Mindfulness-Based Therapy
I use mindfulness with any client who is interested in learning more about the widely researched benefits of mindfulness to reduce stress and improve quality of life.
Strength-Based
I help all clients use their strengths to maximize on the things that are going right in their lives and to use their strengths to help them solve their problems.
Location
Virtual sessions
Identifies as
Top specialties
Other specialties
Serves
Licensed in
- ConnecticutLicense 58.012440
- New YorkLicense 102615
- PennsylvaniaLicense CW022730