Hey everyone! I'm excited to connect with you. I am a Licensed Mental Health Counselor in NY. I possess certifications in Advanced Grief Counseling, Trauma Treatment and Telemental Health. I specialize in assisting individuals dealing with anxiety, depression, stress, and grief/loss. I have experience working with BIPOC clients who struggled with maintaining a college/work-life balance while dealing with a variety of social, environmental, and race-based stressors. Stress is a common issue that I hear about in therapy, but I understand that each individual experiences it differently. Some may not even see it as a problem, viewing it instead as something they've been taught to endure due to family or cultural expectations. Stress can manifest in various ways, such as difficulty making decisions, problems concentrating, feelings of anger, anxiety, low self-esteem, depression, headaches, and gastrointestinal issues. My goal is to create an accepting space where we can explore and address the stressors that weigh us down and collaborate to find effective coping strategies and a wellness plan. As a person of color, I am deeply committed to uplifting individuals from similar backgrounds and breaking down the mental health stigmas that often hold underserved communities back from seeking treatment.My philosophy centers on you, teamwork, and focusing on your strengths. I see our therapeutic journey as a collaborative effort that serves as a guide for transforming your life. Think of us as partners in this process: I'm here to provide you with the tools and support you need, while you take the lead in building your path to personal growth. Just like an architect doesn't construct the building for you, I won't solve your challenges for you. Instead, I'll empower you to create your own blueprint for success. Together, we will establish a foundation for you to confidently face future challenges with your skills.
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.
About Stefani Melendez
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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.