- Client-centered approach
- Practical coping skills
- Longstanding experience
About Malissa
Malissa Monaghan is a licensed mental health counselor in New York with 25 years of clinical experience. She helps people who are dealing with anxiety, depression, trauma, relationship and family stress, and problems with sleep, anger, or self-esteem. She also supports people coping with grief, career strain, parenting challenges, and mood disorders like bipolar concerns.
Her work often focuses on communication problems, social anxiety, workplace issues, and the isolation that can come with life changes. She has experience with autism and Asperger syndrome and with people managing multiple co-occurring concerns. The approach is practical and person-centered, so clients set goals and the work follows what matters to them.
In sessions she uses a Client-Centered Therapy stance alongside cognitive behavioral tools and dialectical behavior techniques. She also brings psychodynamic ideas and solution-focused methods when useful, blending approaches to meet real-life needs. This means conversations can include looking at patterns from the past, practicing new coping skills, and trying focused steps to change difficult moments.
She aims to offer a calm, non-judgmental space where people can talk through painful experiences and build clearer plans for daily life. The emphasis is on small, doable changes and on recognizing strengths clients already have. Prospective clients in New York should confirm session formats and scheduling before booking.
Malissa holds the credential LMHC, which stands for Licensed Mental Health Counselor. Her background is long-term clinical practice paired with a focus on helping people manage stressors and regain stability.
How her approaches translate to online work
Client-Centered Therapy focuses on understanding each person's viewpoint and following the client's lead. This approach helps when someone needs a respectful space to talk through feelings, rebuild confidence, and set personal goals. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, or CBT, looks at how thoughts and behaviors interact and teaches concrete skills to reduce anxiety or depressive patterns. CBT is useful for sleep problems, social anxiety, and work stress. Dialectical Behavior Therapy, or DBT, emphasizes emotion regulation, distress tolerance, and improving relationships, which can help with intense mood shifts and anger management.Choosing the right approach is part of the work together. The therapist will discuss options, try methods that fit the client's goals, and adjust the plan over time. This is a collaborative process that values the client's preferences and real-life needs.
Confirm current session options before booking so you know which online formats are offered. Online work can make it easier to fit therapy into a busy life because sessions may be scheduled around work or family commitments and can reduce travel time. It can also allow for shorter check-ins when a brief plan or skill practice is needed. Licensed professionals aim to help clients transfer new skills into daily routines regardless of how sessions are delivered.
Areas of expertise
Primary focus
Also works with
Additional focus areas
Therapeutic approaches
Experience
25+ years
Listed in
New York
Languages
English
Frequently asked questions
What concerns does this therapist help with?
She works with anxiety, depression, trauma, grief, relationship and family stress, sleep and anger problems, and issues tied to career and parenting.
What is her general therapeutic style?
Her style is person-centered and practical. Sessions focus on listening, setting clear goals, and using skills that fit everyday life.
How much clinical experience does she have?
She has 25 years of experience working with people facing mood disorders, social anxiety, workplace strain, and related concerns.
What are her credentials and where is she based?
She is a NY LMHC, which means Licensed Mental Health Counselor in New York, and practices in New York.
Which languages are supported for sessions?
Sessions are offered in English.
Can people from other countries work with her?
International clients are not currently accepted.
How are fees and billing handled?
Cost varies with location and therapist availability. Sessions use a subscription that can be canceled at any time.
How do I begin working with her?
Use the Start Therapy button, complete a short matching questionnaire, and then schedule according to therapist availability.
Online talk therapy is not emergency care. If you are in danger, use the crisis numbers.