Therapy begins with Tea
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melanie cooke M.A., Ed.M., LMHC
t.
EMBODIED HEALING
Break free from the shame of imposter
syndrome. Learn healthier conflict for happier, secure relationships. Feel empowered in your relationship with money
Virtual and In-person Therapy Available in New York
Virtual Coaching AvailablE worldwide
ABOUT ME
My name is Melanie. I am a Licensed Mental Health Counselor (LMHC) and private practice owner based in New York. I work with achievers who are outwardly successful, but struggle with feelings of dissatisfaction, emptiness, shame, and confusion--whose minds feel disconnected from their bodies and who want to feel whole, but don't know how to. I help them better understand their emotions, establish boundaries, balance control with acceptance, and work through conflict in order to have more fulfilling relationships. I practice trauma-informed somatic Internal Family Systems (IFS) and Gestalt therapies that integrate body-based mindfulness & nervous system re-regulation because our emotions, fears, and wounds are as much in our bodies as they are in our minds. So is healing.
Have you ever invited yourself to sit down for a cup of tea? I like to describe my sessions that way. Tea makes us slow down, get present, reflect, and feel comfortable enough to be vulnerable & curious—about ourselves (even the parts we fear or dislike), our relationships, and the world around us.
A LITTLE MORE I earned my M.A. and Ed.M. in Psychological Counseling from Teachers College, Columbia University and have worked in group practice, training centers, and outpatient addiction clinics. When I’m not in session, I’m making pottery and crafting at home with my pup and two bunnies (there's always a cup of tea nearby).
Money is as emotional as it is numerical. You're tired of feeling overwhelmed by money stress and you want to feel more secure in your financial wellbeing.
For individuals/couples interested in coaching, including those that live outside of New York (state of licensure)
IMPROVING YOUR RELATIONSHIP WITH MONEY
The key to fulfilling relationships isn’t avoiding conflict altogether — it’s learning how to fight.
I work with adults & couples who are stuck in cyclical conflict caused by unmet needs, insecure attachment, & communication breakdown in their dating/romantic relationships. I help you understand & update your rubric for relating & strengthen your ability to negotiate needs, balance closeness with space, and regulate your nervous system before, during, and after conflict.
ATTACHMENT & CONFLICT IN ROMANTIC RELATIONSHIPS
You're known for being a high achiever and it seems like you 'have it all' on the outside, but, internally, it's a different story.
Shame is insidious in the way it disconnects and dysregulates us. We start to view ourselves as objects, constantly scrutinizing ourselves. We fear that we’re one decision away from failure, from our ‘wrongness’ being exposed. Shame makes us believe that we should be able to “do it all by myself” or we’re broken. We try to push it away through perfectionism and people pleasing, hyper-independence and rigid control, imposter syndrome.
I know what it's like to feel like an imposter in your own life, to feel like you're constantly battling shame. Let's unburden you of these fears and move towards the state of mental, emotional, and spiritual wellbeing you strive for (and deserve).
SHAME
&
IMPOSTER SYNDROME
'Therapy Begins with T(Ea)' Mental Health Newsletter Archive:
INSuraNCE: OUT OF NETWORK
Therapy: for those using insurance & residing in NY, I am an out-of-network provider. You pay the cost of session ($200 for individuals, $350 for couples) up front and then I will send you a monthly superbill to give to your insurance so that you receive reimbursements based on your plan's out-of-network benefits.
SELF PAY
For those not using insurance for therapy & for coaching, the cost of session is $200 for individuals/$350 for couples. I offer a sliding scale based on financial hardship.