Couples Therapist Melissa Paul in Brooklyn
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MELISSA PAUL, LCSW
Relationship & Couples Therapist Brooklyn and Virtual

Maybe things between you and your partner have felt off for a while, and neither of you can quite figure why. Maybe you've just become a parent and everything you thought you knew about yourself feels like it shifted overnight.

Maybe both of those things are happening at once.

You're holding it all together and you’re exhausted. You deserve more.‍ ‍
I’m Melissa, a Couples Therapist in Brooklyn. I work with couples navigating the distance that builds over time, and with parents adjusting to who they're becoming.

HOW I WORK

My approach is relational at its core. That means that I believe problems shape our relationships and rather than resolve issues, we focus on connection, to ourselves and the people we love. I believe in the power of connection to heal us and live the lives we truly want.

I draw from psychodynamic and relational therapy, CBT, and EMDR, weaving between insight and practical tools depending on what you need.

Some sessions go deep. Some are more concrete. I follow your lead.

WHAT I BELIEVE, AND HOW IT SHAPES MY WORK:

  • Couples therapy is not just for crisis. Some of the most meaningful work happens when things are mostly okay and you want them to be better

  • The transition into parenthood, Matrescence, is one of the most significant identity shifts a person can go through. It deserves to be treated as such.

  • Therapy should feel like a collaboration, not a diagnosis. My job is to help you trust that knowledge.

  • Change rarely happens in a single breakthrough. It happens in small, repeated moments of choosing differently.

  • All of you is welcome here. My work is guided by an anti-racist, LGBTQ+ affirming, and Health at Every Size lens.

“Therapy should feel like a collaboration.”

AREAS OF EXPERTISE

TRAINING & EDUCATION

LICENSURE & EDUCATION

Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW)
New York State License 086942

New York University
Master of Social Work (MSW)

Pennsylvania State University Schreyer Honors College
→ B.S., Human Development and Family Studies

CLINICAL TRAINING & CERTIFICATION

Couples and Family Therapy Training — 2016-2019
→ The Ackerman Institute for the Family

EMDR Levels 1 & 2 — Fall 2022
→ Personal Transformation Institute

Perinatal Mental Health Certificate (PMH-C) — Fall 2025
→ Postpartum Support International‍

Certified Intuitive Eating Counselor — Fall 2020

Acceptance and Commitment Therapy — Spring 2022

MEMBERSHIP & RECOGNITION

Member, Women's Mental Health Consortium

National Association of Social Workers (NASW)

Co-Founder, The Motherhood Care Collective, Brooklyn, NY

Contributor in Time Magazine, Yahoo, and Scary Mommy

Also verified on:
→ Psychology Today
→ Therapy Den
→ Zocdoc
→ Brooklyn Bridge Parents
→ Park Slope Parents

GET TO KNOW ME

  • What made you want to become a therapist?

    I became a therapist because I've always believed that the right support changes everything. I founded MLP Therapy Group because I wanted a place that someone like me could actually go. Someone who cares deeply about their relationships, wants real insight, and is trying to feel like themselves again. I wanted therapy to feel comfortable, supportive, and real, not clinical or distant. I believe therapy is one of the best ways to learn about yourself, and I wanted to build a practice I would want to go to myself.

  • What's one thing people are always surprised to learn about you?

    I love to downhill ski. For someone with little athletic ability, I feel very comfortable on the slopes. It is the perfect combination of being in nature which is incredibly relaxing and moving my body in a mindful way

  • What does a good Sunday look like for you?

    An ideal Sunday would be a sunny day outside with a nice coffee, a trip to the playground with my kids and some solo time reading.

  • What's a book, podcast, or idea that has genuinely changed how you think?

    The “Art of Loving” by Eric Fromm has been a foundational read in my life. A client recommended it to me when I was in social work school and truly transformed my personal and professional life. The idea that love is a skill that we have to work on and the types of love we can give ourselves and others is essential to connection. I think constantly about how to show love through action, compassion and understanding.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

  • Melissa is a warm and approachable therapist. Her goal is to make therapy feel like a comfortable space for you to express yourself. Melissa uses humor as a way to connect and is deeply insight oriented. She uses questions and curiosity as intervention and is collaborative.

  • Melissa specializes in couples therapy, Matrescence, postpartum support, and the identity shifts that come with major relationship and life transitions. She also works with anxiety, depression, dating patterns, and body image.

  • Melissa draws from psychodynamic and relational therapy, CBT, and EMDR, moving between deeper insight work and practical tools depending on what each client needs.

  • We're an out-of-network practice, so we don't bill insurance directly. Instead, we provide you with a superbill, an itemized receipt you can submit to your insurance company for possible reimbursement. Many clients find their out-of-network benefits cover a meaningful portion of session costs. We're also happy to check your specific coverage with you during your free consultation call.

  • Yes. Melissa works with individuals navigating identity shifts, anxiety, or relationship patterns, as well as couples working through disconnection, conflict, or the transition into parenthood.

  • Reach out to schedule a free phone consultation. You'll talk about what's bringing you in, and Melissa will help you figure out if working together feels like the right fit.

If something here resonates, I’d love to connect.

If something here resonates, I'd love to connect. A consultation is a low-pressure way to see if we're a good fit.

BOOK YOUR FREE CONSULT TODAY