Mary AlfinitoLCSW-R

Mary Alfinito is a licensed clinical social worker with 40 years of experience in New York. She helps people facing stress, anxiety, depression, grief, ADHD, trauma and abuse, and LGBTQ concerns. She also supports those dealing with self-esteem, career shifts, and major life changes. Her approach is straightforward and compassionate, aimed at making the first step feel manageable.

She meets people where they are and focuses on practical skills they can use day to day. Sessions are conversational and goal-focused, with attention to problem-solving and emotional coping. Mary uses techniques that help people notice unhelpful thinking, regulate strong emotions, and address trauma where it shows up in daily life.

Her background spans many settings and client needs, including work with autism, attachment and abandonment issues, chronic illness and pain, caregiver stress, and substance concerns. That breadth informs how she tailors support to each person rather than offering a one-size-fits-all plan. You can expect clear explanations about methods and small steps you can try between sessions.

Mary stresses collaboration and practical tools. She helps people break big problems into manageable parts and practices new habits in session. If making a change feels overwhelming, she focuses on what’s feasible now and builds from there.

To start, she asks about current concerns, goals, and what has or hasn’t worked before. That information shapes a plan that fits a person’s life and priorities, with ongoing adjustments as needed.

How CBT, DBT, and Trauma Work Online

Mary commonly uses Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, which helps people notice unhelpful thoughts and try new ways of thinking and acting to reduce anxiety and depression. It focuses on concrete exercises and short-term goals that translate easily to day-to-day life.

She also draws on Dialectical Behavior Therapy ideas for emotion regulation and distress tolerance. Those techniques teach skills for managing strong feelings, improving communication, and reducing impulsive reactions.

Trauma-Focused Therapy is used when past hurt affects current functioning. This approach looks at how traumatic experiences shape reactions now and works on strategies to reduce their impact on daily routines and relationships.

Finding the right approach is a team effort. The therapist will work with each person to figure out which methods fit their needs, goals, and preferences. Plans are adjusted over time based on what’s helpful and what isn’t.

Session logistics and formats are not listed here, so confirm the current options before booking. Online sessions can make it easier to fit therapy into a busy schedule, allow for shorter check-ins when needed, and reduce travel time. Discussing goals and practical constraints during the first contacts helps ensure sessions suit everyday life.