Melanie Giarratano

Melanie Giarratano is a licensed mental health counselor practicing in New York who brings four years of clinical experience to her work with individuals and families.

She earned a Bachelor of Science in Neuroscience from the University of Delaware and a Master’s Degree in Mental Health Counseling from SUNY College at Old Westbury. During her undergraduate studies she conducted extensive PTSD research using rat models, an experience that informed her understanding of the human stress response and how trauma can alter the ability to extinguish fear. That perspective informs her current work in an inpatient psychiatric setting with patients who have significant trauma histories.

Melanie has provided both group and individual therapy across inpatient and outpatient settings and has experience treating adults, teenagers, children, Veterans, people who use substances, and individuals with developmental disabilities. Relationship concerns are a common focus across the populations she serves, and she often integrates that lens into treatment.

Her graduate training emphasized psychodynamic approaches, including human development, family context, and the dynamics of transference and countertransference. In clinical practice she blends multiple evidence-based methods to tailor treatment to each person. She relies on motivational interviewing as a goal-oriented way to encourage change-talk and action, offers person-centered support when clients are motivated but need encouragement, and uses solution-focused techniques to help clients concentrate on present and future goals. For clients prepared to do active work, she applies cognitive-behavioral strategies to map the links between thoughts, feelings, and behaviors, teach common thinking errors, and introduce coping skills - often including homework such as thought logs or behavioral charts.

Melanie emphasizes the importance of self-care and aims to provide a personable, friendly therapeutic presence. Outside of work she maintains balance through yoga, biking, time with friends and family, playing with her dog, spending time outdoors, and shopping, and she encourages clients to find activities that promote their own well-being.