Melanie graduated with a Master of Social Work degree from Fordham University in 2007 and completed post-graduate work in Psychodynamic Psychotherapy and the Psychology of Religion and Spirituality from the Blanton-Peale Institute. She also received certificates in Ketamine-Assisted Therapy and Psychedelic Integration from Fluence, a leading educational research center in psychedelic-assisted therapy. She specializes in trauma-informed therapy, psychedelic-assisted therapy, and life coaching. She uses an anti-oppressive, anti-racist, and queer affirming lens in her work that centers the lived experiences of her clients.

She works particularly well with women, creatives, entrepreneurs, and LGBTQIA+ people. Her psychedelic work is complimented by her approach utilizing somatic, relational, mindfulness-based, trauma-informed, and psychodynamic modalities. She also specializes in Internal Family Systems (IFS) and attachment-based therapy.

A particular area of focus in her practice is religious trauma recovery and spiritual/existential exploration.

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Non-binary, Colombian American therapist committed to trauma-informed and anti-oppressive care. Believing in the power of a trusting therapeutic alliance, I aim to create a warm, compassionate, and affirming container where clients feel seen in their authentic selves. Personally understanding the importance of culturally responsive care, I actively engage in cultural humility in an effort to best support my clients who each come from their own unique set of lived experiences.

My therapeutic approach is person-centered, collaborative, and holistic. My background in community herbalism, nightlife, contemplative practice, and creative expression offers a wealth of experiential knowledge that shapes my integrative approach as a therapist. I draw on mindfulness-based, somatic, attachment-based and strengths-based approaches to support clients navigating trauma, systemic oppression, stressors, grief, shame, and other challenging experiences. My practice is informed by liberatory and decolonial frameworks rooted in harm reduction and pleasure positivity.

I work with adults and relationships, specializing in queer & trans identities, sexual trauma, BIPOC/PoGM, mindfulness (secular & Buddhist), spirituality, and psychedelic therapy. I offer trauma-focused Psychotherapy, Sex Therapy, Ketamine Assisted Psychotherapy (KAP), and Psychedelic Harm Reduction & Integration Therapy (PHRI). My practice is kink & poly-, sex-worker-, and neurodivergent-affirming. 

I believe healing isn’t linear. It entails practicing self-compassion and attuning to our inner wisdom which is ongoing, especially in a relentlessly painful and uncertain world. I’m honored to support my clients along this windy, bumpy, yet exquisite path of remembering and reconnecting, towards healing and transformation.

I hold a MSW from the Silberman School of Social Work at Hunter College, a BA in Critical Race, Gender, and Sexuality Studies from Humboldt State University, and completed the Sacred Vibes Apothecary Spiritual Herbalism Apprenticeship program. I have postgraduate training in Emotionally Focused Couples Therapy (EFCT) as well as Psychedelic Harm Reduction and Integration Therapy (PHRI) and Ketamine Assisted Psychotherapy (KAP) from Fluence, a leading educational research center in psychedelic-assisted therapy.

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l am a warm, down-to-earth and caring therapist working relationally. I operate from an anti-oppressive lens and, as a White therapist, understand the necessity of practicing humility and self-awareness. I believe that my clients are the experts on their own lives; in fact, I see myself as a partner in my clients' journeys of healing and self-exploration. I believe fully that all individuals have the tools to live an authentic and fulfilling life, but that systemic oppression and other barriers can impact one's ability to reach a place of self-actualization. I use an eclectic mix of strategies that I tailor to each individual. I have extensive experience working with adolescents and in school settings and specialize in work with depression, anxiety, trauma, parenting concerns including perinatal depression and anxiety disorders (PMADs), self-esteem, and more. I am a parent and identify as culturally Jewish. In addition to earning my doctorate in social work, have been an adjunct lecturer at NYU Silver School of Social Work and have been published in professional journals. NYU- Doctor of Social Welfare- 2021

Hunter College- Master of Social Work- 2014

Ursula (she/they) is a Bilingual Spanish speaking queer healer from New York with Costa Rican and Indigenous roots. Ursula received her Masters degree in Social Work from Silberman School of Social Work at Hunter in 2013. She has over a decade of experience working with individuals from an anti-oppressive, decolonized, holistic, trauma-informed, and client centered lens. 

Ursula works well with BIPOC & LGBTQIA+ folks, and Neurodivergent folks. Especially, therapists, first responders, educators, activists, and other healers working towards collective & self liberation. She works from a client centered lens to achieve the goals you have for your mental health, and to heal the wounds that can lead us to self sabotage.

She approaches mental health from a holistic, historical perspective. She combines client centered solution focused, cognitive behavioral therapy, mindfulness techniques, and even spiritual practices, herbalism, and somatic movement to heal, empower and support individuals in living their most authentic, fulfilling and joyous lives. She has a deep understanding of the experiences and manifestations of historical oppression, and generational trauma that affect our capacity to care for and express our full selves. In her work with you she strives to support you in reaching your mental health goals, and move from surviving to thriving.

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Karina Estrella is a bilingual Spanish speaking Licensed Social Worker licensed in New York State. She holds a Master’s degree in Social Work, from Wurzweiler School of Social Work and has over 8+ years of experience providing trauma informed therapy and recovery support for refugees and immigrants using a strength based/humanistic therapeutic approach. 

Additionally, she has supported hundreds of adolescents, teens and adults to develop healthy coping skills, and achieve a reduction in their experience of symptoms of anxiety, depression, and work through migration trauma. The services she provides are, Individual and Group therapy using cognitive behavioral, mindfulness techniques, family therapy, behavior therapy, and acceptance and commitment therapy approaches. 

She is committed to dispel the stigma and negative perceptions held within the fabric of culturally diverse BIPO communities in regards to seeking therapy. I strive to provide culturally competent and high-quality services and inclusion to LatinX communities.

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