Michael Miano
I am a Licensed Mental Health Counselor in New York State with 25 years of experience in counseling, crisis intervention, and community mental health. I have experience helping individuals navigate stress and anxiety, depression, family and relationship conflicts, anger management, and bipolar disorder. My clinical approach is grounded in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and Motivational Interviewing (MI). I take a direct, supportive, and individualized approach, recognizing that everyone has different experiences, challenges, and goals. I believe meaningful progress begins with a therapeutic relationship that feels safe, respectful, and supportive while also providing the encouragement and challenge necessary for personal growth.
Practical, Supportive Therapy to Help You Get Unstuck, Build Confidence, and Create Meaningful Change.
Seeking therapy takes courage. Often, we reach out when life feels overwhelming, relationships become difficult, or we feel stuck, disconnected, anxious, or uncertain about how to move forward. Together, we can explore these experiences, recognize patterns that may be holding you back, and develop healthier ways of thinking, feeling, and responding to life's challenges. I believe therapy should be a collaborative process built on open communication, trust, and mutual respect. Our work may involve exploring difficult emotions, challenging unhelpful thinking patterns, and developing practical skills you can apply to everyday life. Therapy can be supportive and empowering, but growth can also be uncomfortable and challenging. Sometimes, meaningful change begins when we are willing to look at ourselves and our circumstances differently. My goal is to create an environment where you feel heard, understood, and accepted without judgment, while helping you recognize your strengths and potential. Whether you're seeking relief from anxiety, healthier relationships, greater self-understanding, or a renewed sense of direction, I am here to support and empower you. Together, we can work toward meaningful change and a more fulfilling, balanced life.
First session
Our first session is an opportunity for us to get to know one another and begin understanding what brings you to therapy. We'll discuss your current concerns, personal experiences, and what you hope to accomplish through our work together. I'll encourage you to share at your own pace, ask questions, and express what feels important to you. There is no expectation that you have everything figured out or know exactly where to begin. My goal is to help you feel comfortable, heard, and understood while beginning to identify meaningful goals and a direction for our work together.
Strengths
One of the greatest strengths I bring to therapy is the ability to connect with people in a genuine, down-to-earth, and nonjudgmental way. My years of experience have taught me the importance of meeting people where they are, recognizing their individual strengths, and helping them see possibilities even when circumstances feel overwhelming. I bring honesty, perspective, patience, and a sense of humor to my work, along with the ability to balance empathy with constructive feedback. I am comfortable having difficult conversations and helping clients work through uncomfortable emotions without losing sight of their progress. I strive to make therapy practical, purposeful, and relevant to everyday life, helping people move beyond simply talking about their problems toward developing greater self-awareness, confidence, and the ability to create lasting change.
Ideal clients
My clients are individuals who feel overwhelmed, stuck, or disconnected and are ready to better understand themselves and make meaningful changes. They may struggle with anxiety, depression, anger, relationship or family conflict, stress, grief, trauma, or difficulties navigating life transitions. I work particularly well with individuals who experience self-doubt, overthinking, perfectionism, difficulty setting boundaries, or challenges managing difficult emotions. My clients are open to exploring their thought patterns, recognizing how past experiences influence present behaviors, and developing healthier ways of coping. My clients don't need to have all the answers, but should be willing to engage in an honest, collaborative process of self-discovery, personal responsibility, and growth.
Treatment methods
Cognitive Behavioral (CBT)
I use Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) to help you understand the connection between your thoughts, feelings, and behaviors and how they influence the way you experience everyday life. We'll work together to recognize unhelpful thinking patterns, look at situations from different perspectives, and find healthier ways to respond to challenges. I incorporate practical tools and exercises that you can use outside of our sessions, including managing anxiety, handling difficult emotions, improving communication, and setting boundaries. My approach is hands-on and conversational. The goal isn't just to talk about what's bothering you, but to help you develop skills that make a difference in your daily life.
Location
Virtual sessions