New York Couples Therapy and Relationship Counseling
No matter where you are in your journey, I’m here to help.
Relationship counseling can help you strengthen your bond before problems arise or guide you through tough times, like a crisis, major life change or those same old frustrating patterns that keep showing up.
Offering in-person New York Couples Therapy in Manhattan and remote sessions for NY and NJ residents.
As a compassionate and unbiased guide, I’ll help you uncover what’s keeping you stuck, get to the heart of the issues, and practice healthier ways of communicating and connecting.
As a relationship and couple therapist, I proudly support LGBTQIA+ individuals, kink communities, and alternative relationship structures.
I work with couples navigating:
depression
anxiety
trauma
relationship issues
family dynamics
gender roles
self-esteem and self worth
grief and loss
workplace challenges
About Melissa Fulgieri, LCSW
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.
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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.
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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
Let’s tackle what’s holding you back and work toward a life that feels aligned, empowered and yours.
Ready to get unstuck?
Your relationship deserves a path forward that works for you.
Schedule a free 15 minute phone consultation to see if we’re a good fit for couples therapy.
New York Couples Therapy
Frequently Asked Questions
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I offer both virtual and limited in person sessions at my office on 141 East 56th Street between Lexington and Third Avenue in Midtown Manhattan. For online sessions, I offer zoom video conferencing or phone calls.
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In couples and relationship therapy, we first work together to understand the patterns that leave you feeling stuck, hurt, unseen, or undervalued. I’ll help you make sense of the dynamics playing out between you, including how you each respond to conflict, communicate your needs, and protect yourselves when things feel difficult.
My approach is compassionate, collaborative, and supportively direct. I’ll share what I’m noticing, help you connect the dots, and offer recommendations and practical tools to help you approach your relationship differently. This means we won’t just talk about what’s going wrong; we’ll practice new ways of communicating, expressing authentic feelings and needs, navigating conflict, and repairing hurt when it happens.
As you become more confident using these skills, we’ll focus on maintaining progress, recognizing when old patterns resurface, and navigating setbacks without losing sight of the changes you’re building together. The goal isn’t to eliminate conflict or get everything right. It’s to help you feel safer, more understood, and better equipped to work through challenges as a team.
All sexual orientations and relationship structures are welcome, including LGBTQ+ individuals, consensually nonmonogamous relationships, and polycules.
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45 minutes for individual sessions.
60 minutes for couple and family sessions.
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Cancellation policy is 48 hours or the full session fee is incurred.
If you’re able to reschedule before your next session, the fee will be waived.
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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
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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.
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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.”
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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?
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$275 for 45 minute individual sessions and EMDR.
$300 for relationship and family therapy sessions.
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Before the start of session, you can pay through Venmo, Zelle or credit card.
Have more questions about New York Couples Therapy?
Get in touch with Melissa.