A compassionate space in NYC to explore shame, sexuality, self-worth, and the deeper parts of you—especially when life doesn’t seem to be going as planned.
(available virtually in California and Florida)
This might be the turning point.
You’re not alone—and you’re not broken.
Maybe you're up late scrolling, trying to find answers. You’ve been feeling off — more anxious, more alone, more stuck in your own head. You might be struggling with low self-worth, sexual shame, or simply feeling disconnected from yourself or others.
Many people find me because of a herpes diagnosis — a moment that can turn your world upside down. But we usually end up exploring so much more: identity, confidence, sex, dating, anxiety, and what it means to truly feel good in your own skin.
While I have expertise supporting people navigating a herpes diagnosis, I also work with individuals facing a wide range of emotional and relational challenges. What connects all my clients is that they’ve reached a point where something needs to change — they want more for themselves, they’re tired of struggling, and they’re ready to understand what’s holding them back and find a way to move forward.
I’m Melissa, and I provide warm, down-to-earth therapy for individuals who want to make sense of these hard moments — especially when they’re tied to sexuality, self-esteem, or the unexpected experience of an STI diagnosis like genital herpes.
We might talk about dating disappointments, attachment patterns, internal conflicts, emotional eating, feeling disconnected from your body, your desires, or your ability to trust yourself. Whether you’re navigating shame, anxiety, or just the deep ache of life not going the way you longed it would — you don’t have to do it alone.
My practice is a space where we can talk openly about things that are hard to talk about — sex, self-esteem, dating, loneliness — and where we can build toward something meaningful.
If you're feeling anxious, unworthy, or unsure about how to move forward, therapy can help. I’d love to support you. I offer a free, 15-minute phone consultation to see if we’re a good fit. Contact me here to schedule a time to speak. You’re not too much. You’re worth the care you need.
COUNSELING SERVICES - WHO I HELP
You may look like you’re holding it all together — but inside, you feel anxious, stuck, or uncertain about how to move forward. Maybe you're tired of overthinking, tired of performing, tired of feeling like it’s all on you. In therapy, we’ll create space for you—your real feelings and your real thoughts and worries about what is going on. Together, we can explore the deeper patterns that affect your self-worth, relationships, sexuality, and confidence — and help you reconnect with or define your values so you can move forward with more clarity, agency, and trust in yourself.
A herpes diagnosis can feel isolating, overwhelming, and disorienting. But it doesn't have to define you. I offer a compassionate space to process the shock, shame, and confusion — and to help you reconnect with your sense of self, sexuality, and self-worth. Whether this is all new or something you’ve been quietly carrying for years, you don’t have to face it alone.
Learn more about counseling for women with herpes or counseling for men with herpes.
Sexuality is deeply personal — and often layered with thoughts, feelings, fears, and desires we’ve never spoken aloud. You may be struggling with low desire, pain during sex, difficulty achieving orgasm, performance anxiety, or changes related to perimenopause or menopause. You may simply want to understand yourself more fully. I offer a supportive, nonjudgmental space to explore these concerns at your own pace — wherever you are in your journey.