online family therapist new jersey Transform Relationships
I am passionate about the power of family therapy and I don’t know of a better modality to target the root cause of the many issues that humans experience and sustain positive change.
I work with families looking for support with many issues including:
communication issues
conflict management
school and work difficulties
mental health struggles
generational trauma
grief and loss
life transitions
About Melissa Fulgieri, Family Therapist New Jersey
-
As a millennial, I was raised being told I could be anything I wanted to be but I still took on a lot of harmful messaging about how I was actually supposed to show up in the world.
As adults, millennial women can often feel like we’re caught between two worlds - the world we watched our mothers survive in and the world we were promised as young girls. In reality, we still struggle with many of the same issues: still told to play it cool to keep a partner, still expected to take on the bulk of child rearing while building our careers.The truth of the matter is, it is still revolutionary to be your full self as a woman. We still self-abandon, feel burnt out, confused and unseen along the path we’re walking on.
It’s my greatest mission toI help millennial women forge new paths by recognizing the harmful messaging that you internalized about the “right way to be” and help build self compassion and acceptance towards being who you truly are.
But, what about men?
As a feminist therapist, you might be surprised to hear that I work with just as many men as I do women and nonbinary clients. Why? Because empowering women also means supporting men in developing the emotional skills many weren’t taught growing up.
Society often discourages men from exploring their emotions, leaving them feeling unfulfilled, misunderstood, and often deeply lonely. (Curious about this? Check out my blog post: Starving for Intimacy).
I’m passionate about helping men better understand how their thoughts and feelings shape their actions. Together, we’ll work on building emotional awareness and communication skills so you can show up as a more present, confident, and fulfilled partner, father, son, and human.
If you’re ready to strengthen your connections and live with more purpose and satisfaction, let’s get started.
HOW I GOT STARTED
I was my own ideal client once. I’ve battled anxiety and depression since I was a kid and healed from chronic relational trauma that impacted my sense of self and ability to form authentic relationships to myself and others.
My journey with therapy started at 19 and quite honestly, it saved my life. When I reflect back, I know my deepest healing came from acknowledging and tending to my past wounds with self-compassion and radical acceptance, learning more about truest self including my emotions, thoughts, needs and values, and building the resilience and self-trust to give myself what I need when life’s inevitable struggles arise. I cannot think of a better life’s purpose than to help others do the same.
-
My therapeutic style is active and collaborative in the conversation. I build trusting relationships with clients that serve as the catalyst towards positive change. During sessions, I am supportively direct: acknowledging and validating clients, while guiding them to shed the thoughts and behaviors that are no longer serving them. My clients often describe me as nonjudgmental, warm and down-to-earth.
WHAT WILL THIS LOOK LIKE?
My personal brand of therapy will feel like having a conversation with someone who accepts you for who you are. (Don’t worry – we will still get right to work on the things you’re doing that cause you to feel stuck.)
In fact, throughout our conversations, I’ll look out for patterns, thoughts, feelings and behaviors that contribute to your feeling of stuckness. I will point them out to you, and, together, we will partner on learning more about these areas and ultimately shifting your perspectives and behaviors, tending to your past pain and learning new ways to cope with all that life throws at you. I will help you learn self compassion and radical self acceptance so that you can center your truest self and learn how to give yourself exactly what you need when you need it.
I firmly believe that we can control only one area of our lives: how we respond to the world around us. I am passionate about helping women understand exactly what that means for them and empowering you to make those changes as I cheer you on from the sidelines.
Sometimes the hardest part is getting started, so I commend you for taking the first step! Please believe: you are not too far gone, too broken or messed up to get the life and relationships you want and deserve. Let’s do this.
-
EDUCATION & TRAINING
Silberman School of Social Work at Hunter School, Masters Degree
New York University, Bachelors Degree in Applied PsychologyTrained in Functional Family Therapy, Emotionally Focused Therapy, and Gottman Method
Licensed Clinical Social Worker, New York and New Jersey
New York License Number: 085652
New Jersey License: 44SC05998400
NPI 1144641820
Adjunct Professor at Fordham University and Long Island University
Past classes taught: Social Work Skills Lab, Child and Adolescent Trauma, Family Oriented Treatment, Couples Counseling, Suicide Assessment and Treatment, Advanced Clinical Practice
FREQUENTLY ASKED questions
-
I am providing therapy online via Zoom. I also offer sessions in the park if you live in the Brooklyn area and would like to add some fresh air to your therapy journey.
-
I always tell my clients that it’s kind of like when I realized that hiking was just walking. Therapy is just talking. You and I have a conversation every session that leads to you feeling better over time. Sometimes clients come in with very specific goals that we work on together and track progress. Sometimes people are just looking for a space to talk, feel accepted and hear from an unbiased party. Both types of folks are welcome in my practice (as well as those in between).
-
45 minutes for individual sessions.
60 minutes for couple and family sessions.
-
I have a 48 hour cancellation policy. Cancelling without proper notice will incur a full fee of the session.
-
I am currently accepting private pay clients only. I am out-of-network, and I can provide super bill receipts to submit to your health insurances if you are eligible for out-of-network reimbursement. I have limited sliding scale slots.
-
Many of my clients are able to access their out-of-network benefits for partial reimbursement. In this case, clients are often reimbursed 60-80% of their session fee. You are responsible for paying for the full session fee at the end of session via credit card, Zelle or Venmo.
TO FIND OUT IF YOU HAVE OUT-OF-NETWORK BENEFITS:
Call your insurance company using the Member Services number on the back of your card to determine if you are eligible for partial reimbursement. You can also visit your insurance company’s website to check your out-of-network benefits under “Summary of Benefits.”
-
Item descriptionDo I have out-of-network outpatient mental health coverage?
Do I need a referral from an in-network provider to see someone out-of-network?
Is preauthorization (e.g. pre-approval, pre-certification) required from my insurance company or primary care physician?
What percentage of outpatient therapy sessions are covered each session?
(This can be expressed as a percentage or flat-rate).How much will I be reimbursed for a 45 minute psychotherapy session (CPT code: 90834)?
How much will I be reimbursed for a 60 minute couples therapy or family therapy session (CPT code: 90847)?
What is my out-of-network deductible?
How much of my deductible has been met this year?
Am I able to use a health savings, flex spending, or other similar types of accounts to cover the cost of treatment?
How do I submit claim forms for reimbursement?
How long does it take for me to receive reimbursement?
-
$225 for 45 minute individual sessions
$275 for relationship and family therapy sessions
-
At the end of session, you can pay through Venmo, Zelle or credit card.
-
Everything that we talk about in session is confidential, with five exceptions.
As a mandated reporter, I would be required to break confidentiality if (1) you are in immediate harm to yourself, (2) immediate harm to others (3) if child or elder abuse has occurred. Other confidentiality breaches will occur (4) if my case notes are subpoenaed or (5) to receive clinical supervision that is necessary for the success of our work together, though client identifying information will be withheld
Have more questions about working with a Family Therapist New Jersey?
Get in touch with Melissa.
FEEL SAFE. Feel HEARD. feel UNDERSTOOD.
Therapy with me is more than just talking—it’s about creating real change. My approach is supportively direct, meaning I’ll share honest insights about your situation without judgment or shame. You deserve a therapist who truly listens, understands, and helps you uncover solutions that work for you.
I tailor our sessions to your unique needs, drawing from a range of therapeutic models, and I only recommend strategies or tools I’ve seen work firsthand. Whether it’s a podcast, a song, a book, or a new practice, I’ll provide resources that align with where you already find inspiration and guidance.
Here’s the truth: I may be the expert in therapy, but you are the expert in your life. That’s why our work together is a collaboration—a dynamic, empowering conversation designed to leave you with actionable insights. Every session will give you something meaningful to walk away with, whether it’s a fresh perspective, a new skill, or a reflective prompt to explore on your own.
You deserve support that feels effective, personal, and transformative. Let’s create that together.
READY TO BREAK THE CYCLE?
Book a free 15 minute phone consultation to see if we would be a good fit.