General Presenting Problems

About

About Melissa

I am a Licensed Clinical Social Worker with over 25 years experience specializing in individuals in the arts.

I trained on-site in college mental health at Smith College, and then spent the majority of my career as Senior Clinical Social Worker at New York University's Tisch School of the Arts. I worked on-site at NYU Tisch for over 12 years, providing psychotherapy primarily with actors, filmmakers, writers and other visual and performing artists.

I transitioned to full-time private practice in 2012, and expanded my practice with offices in Manhattan and Brooklyn. In 2018, I provided mental health consulting with the Upright Citizens Brigade in New York City, where I conducted assessments, referrals and workshops for students at the UCB Training Center studying improv and sketch comedy.

In 2025, I was approved for licensure in the state of Massachusetts, expanding my practice virtually to MA residents.

Here is an array of other common presenting problems that I treat, including but not limited to:

Coping Skills
Anxiety
Dating
Depression
Divorce
Eating Disorders
Family Conflict
Grief
Sibling Loss
Infertility
LGBTQ+
Life Transitions
Marital and Premarital
Mood Disorders
Parenting/Special Needs Parenting
Panic attacks
Peer Relationships
Racial Identity
Relationship Issues
Romantic break-up
Self Esteem
Stress
Substance Use
Trauma and PTSD
Women's Issues
Work/Life Balance

Concerns for Creatives

What concerns are specific to actors and creative professionals?

Here are some common themes that come up in therapy with actors and creative professionals:

Career uncertainty and instability
Self-esteem and personal identity
Rejection
Self-doubt
Lack of structure/motivation
Personal and public scrutiny
Stress related to being in the public eye/ having an audience
Self-esteem
Long-distance relationship and parenting challenges
Performance anxiety
Self-criticism
Creative blocks
Perfectionism
Burnout and managing high-pressure careers
Identity/authenticity
Transitioning out of the business

General Presenting Problems

Credentials

Training

I hold a Master's Degree in Social Work from Smith College, and an undergraduate degree in Psychology from Washington University in St. Louis. I also hold a Supervision in Field Instruction (SIFI) Certification from New York University.

Therapy Modalities

I see clients individually, in couples, for family therapy and in groups.

Expertise

My areas of speciality are actors and creative professionals, including but not limited to filmmakers, producers, writers, musicians, photographers, and other visual and performing artists. I also have a speciality in the area of sibling loss and a special interest in working with parents of children with special needs.

Affiliations

I am an active member of the National Association of Social Workers. I am also affiliated with Psychology Today, Thriving Campus and Creative Cares.

Clinical Supervision

I have a Supervision in Field Instruction (SIFI) certification from NYU and have provided clinical supervision to for over 20 years, both in the college mental health setting and in private practice. I offer private supervision to licensed professionals new to private practice, and I enjoy the process of helping clinicians find confidence in their clinical skills and shape their professional identity.

Cost and Insurance

I am an out of network provider and do not participate directly with insurance panels. To assess your out of network mental health benefits, ask your insurance provider about out of network coverage for these billing codes:

90791 for a 60 minute assessment/consultation

90834 for a 45 minute Individual therapy session

90837 for a 60 minute Individual therapy session

90846 for a 60 minute Couples or Family session

90853 for a 60 minute Group session