Melissa Benzaquen Psychotherapy, LMHC

I had to leave Venezuela, my country of origin, when I was nineteen-years-old because of the political situation there. In my twenties, I lived in Israel and Argentina before eventually settling in the United States. It was difficult to start my life anew in different places. I dealt with occasional loneliness and uncertainty while navigating new cities, making friends, and searching for a life partner. These experiences inspired me to pursue a career as a mental health counselor because I can empathize with individuals who are struggling with anxiety and depression and facing major life transitions. I have diverse clinical experiences and have worked with adolescents and adults in individual and family therapy. I help clients face life challenges, including interpersonal and relationship issues, by providing unconditional support.

I create an environment where my clients feel completely comfortable opening up about their life experiences. I am a warm, charismatic person and I pride myself on my ability to build rapport with clients. In the intake consultation, I get to know the client, their challenges, and their goals for our sessions together. I periodically check in with the client to assess how the therapy is helping them approach life stressors. I know that therapy has been transformative for the client when he or she takes the skills and strategies we have discussed and puts them into practice in day-to-day life.

I am very excited about the rise of telehealth because it makes therapy more accessible to clients. It is now easier for individuals to access high-quality mental health counseling on their own schedule even if they work or have childcare responsibilities.