Mary Alfinito , LCSW-R

Mary Alfinito is a licensed clinical social worker in New York with 40 years of experience. She helps people who are feeling overwhelmed by stress, anxiety, grief, depression, trauma, ADHD, and concerns related to LGBT identity. She also supports work- and life-related issues such as career strain and coping with major changes.

Mary uses clear, direct approaches in sessions. She brings practical tools for managing anxiety and mood, and she helps clients build day-to-day habits that make life easier. Conversations focus on immediate problems and on steps people can try between sessions.

Her work includes attention to attachment and abandonment concerns, body image, caregiver stress, chronic illness and pain, communication problems, and codependency. Mary also addresses feelings of emptiness, guilt, shame, and recovery themes that come after loss or separation.

Over four decades, Mary has learned to balance symptom-focused strategies with attention to past wounds. Sessions tend to be calm and straightforward. She offers skills training, coping strategies, and guidance for handling tough moments as they come up.

People who choose Mary often want a therapist who listens closely, makes treatment uncomplicated, and helps them practice new ways of coping. She encourages small steps and realistic goals. Her experience supports people through hard transitions and persistent emotional challenges.

How Mary’s Approaches Translate to Online Sessions

Mary commonly draws on Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and Trauma-Focused Therapy in her work. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy helps people notice and change unhelpful thinking and behavior patterns, which can reduce anxiety and improve mood. Trauma-Focused Therapy concentrates on processing past hurt in manageable steps, and it aims to reduce strong reactions tied to traumatic memories.

Choosing the right approach is a collaborative process. The therapist and client discuss current problems, goals, and personal preferences to decide which methods to try first. Over time they adjust the plan based on what is helpful and what needs more attention.

Online formats such as video calls, phone sessions, live chat, and text-based messaging make it easier to fit therapy into busy lives. Video sessions allow face-to-face interaction for skill demonstrations and eye contact. Phone sessions can work when bandwidth or movement is an issue. Live chat and text-based messaging are useful for brief check-ins, homework support, or when writing feels easier than speaking. These options provide flexibility so people can access therapy in ways that suit their schedules and daily routines.