Book a therapist or psychiatrist in Ridgewood, NY covered by Cigna

Does your child or adolescent’s behavior leave you wondering, “What is going on?”Are they having meltdowns, withdrawing, struggling at school, worrying, or feeling sad? Children and adolescents often communicate their feelings through behavior long before they have the words to explain what they are experiencing.I work with children, adolescents, and families navigating challenges such as adoption, divorce, co-parenting, blended-family transitions, grief and loss, school-related worries, family conflict, and the growing push for independence. I help children and caregivers better understand what may be underneath the behavior while strengthening connection, communication, and emotional regulation. I am a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) and Registered Play Therapist-Supervisor (RPT-S). I received my Doctorate in Clinical Social Work (DSW) and Master’s in Social Work (MSW) from New York University, and my Bachelor’s of Science in Social Work (BSW) from Cornell University. With more than two decades of clinical experience across inpatient, outpatient, and residential settings.

Hi, I’m Melisa, a licensed mental health counselor passionate about helping individuals of all ages navigate life’s challenges. I specialize in working with children and adolescents, using play therapy to foster expression and healing, while also supporting adults with issues like anxiety, depression, and relationship struggles.

If you're seeking support in overcoming life’s challenges, I’d be honored to work with you.

Reaching out is hard, especially if you've already tried therapy before and it didn't quite get you where you needed to go. I want you to know that doesn't mean something's wrong with you, it usually just means the approach wasn't the right fit. I've spent over a decade working with people carrying trauma and addiction, adults and teens both, and what I care about most is helping you feel truly understood, maybe for the first time, before we even get to the work of healing.

I believe prioritizing mental health is key to stability in life. I know there is a better world out there and people need the tools to connect with their upmost insight for mental well being. In this field I am always eager to research and find healing processes to tailor the need of each individual.

Gila Schwartz is a therapist located on Long Island, NY. A psychologist focuses on the evaluation, prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of mental, emotional and behavioral health issues. A clinical psychologist uses psychotherapy and other counseling skills to improve emotional and mental health.

It's very difficult to be in stressful situations that can cause lots of anxiety and self-doubt. Perhaps you're looking for something more than advice from family and friends. If you're looking for a warm and inviting counseling atmosphere, I am eager to work with you to develop effective coping skills and a greater self-awareness to reach your full potential. Together, you and I can work to set goals that are appropriate and attainable for you, at your pace. For therapy to be effective for you, I work hard to build genuine and long lasting trust.

I have experience working with clients who have suffered from anxiety, depression, and marital issues. Additionally, I believe that cultural factors are critical to the way we navigate through life. I work hard to address cultural matters, to understand how these may impact our perception of the world.

Call me for a free consultation where we can discuss your needs and goals. For your convenience, I offer online counseling. También, ofrezco servicios en español. Llamame para discutir tus metas.