Mary Alfinito, LCSW-R

Mary Alfinito is a licensed clinical social worker in New York with four decades of practice. She helps people facing stress, anxiety, depression, grief, ADHD, trauma, and issues related to LGBT identity. Her style is direct and compassionate, aimed at making the first steps feel manageable for a worried parent or an individual in crisis.

Mary uses straightforward tools to help clients handle upsetting thoughts and strong feelings. She draws on Cognitive Behavioral Therapy to spot unhelpful thinking patterns and DBT skills to teach emotional regulation and tolerating distress. Trauma-focused work is used when past events keep showing up in daily life.

Sessions focus on concrete skills and small changes that add up. Clients learn ways to lower anxiety, improve sleep and concentration, and respond differently in stressful moments. She also supports people exploring identity and relationship patterns, and those coping with chronic illness or caregiving strain.

Mary keeps language simple and practical during sessions. She creates a space where people can say hard things and try new behaviors without judgment. Progress is tracked through real tasks between sessions and short check-ins on what works.

Her approach blends long experience with flexible, action-oriented work. People who want clear techniques and steady guidance often find this method helpful when navigating life transitions, career stress, or persistent mood concerns.

Practical approaches for online care

Mary draws on Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and Dialectical Behavior Therapy to guide online sessions. CBT helps people notice and shift unhelpful thoughts and behaviors, which can reduce anxiety and improve mood. DBT teaches skills for managing intense emotions, improving distress tolerance, and building better interpersonal effectiveness.

Choosing the best approach is a collaborative process. The therapist will talk with the client about goals, preferences, and what feels most useful, then tailor the methods used over time. That way the plan changes if a different method seems more helpful.

Online therapy options include video calls, phone sessions, live chat, and text-based messaging. Video is useful for longer sessions and skill demonstrations, while phone work can fit into a busy day or use less bandwidth. Live chat and messaging are handy for short check-ins, brief coaching, and ongoing skills practice between sessions. These formats make scheduling more flexible and can help therapy fit into work, school, or caregiving routines.