Marilyn Bryan DeBernardo, LMHC

Marilyn Bryan DeBernardo is a New York Licensed Mental Health Counselor (LMHC) with 25 years of experience. She helps people facing stress, anxiety, addiction, grief, depression, relationship strain, and other common life challenges. Her approach is practical and grounded, focused on small changes that can make daily life feel more manageable.

Marilyn often uses strategies that challenge unhelpful thoughts and build steadier habits. She blends techniques from acceptance and commitment work, cognitive approaches, and client-centered care to match each person's needs. Sessions usually involve talking through current problems, practicing new ways of responding, and setting doable goals between meetings.

Her background includes long experience supporting people affected by substance use and codependency, and she has worked with those coping with trauma, loss, and major life transitions. She aims to help people recover a sense of control and move toward values-driven living. Marilyn also addresses issues like parenting stress, eating concerns, anger, and attention-related challenges.

People who come to her can expect direct, empathetic conversations and a focus on practical steps. She emphasizes collaboration - clients and therapist decide together what matters most. Marilyn also points clients to community resources when those supports could help.

Her practice is based in New York and conducted in English. Prospective clients are encouraged to confirm session formats and scheduling details before they book so they know what to expect.

Practical approaches adapted for online work

Marilyn uses cognitive behavioral ideas to help people notice and change unhelpful thought patterns and everyday habits. CBT focuses on identifying specific thoughts and behaviors that keep problems going and practicing alternatives that reduce anxiety and improve mood.

She also draws on acceptance and commitment ideas that encourage living by personal values even when difficult thoughts or feelings appear. This approach teaches skills for tolerating uncomfortable feelings while committing to meaningful actions.

Finding the right approach is a collaborative process. Marilyn will discuss your goals and preferences and suggest which methods to try first. Together you will adjust strategies as progress is made and pick tools that fit your daily routine.

The biography does not list which online formats are used, so confirm session options before booking. In general, online work can make it easier to fit sessions into a busy life - for example, shorter check-ins can be scheduled during a work break or talking by phone can be simpler when video is difficult. Licensed professionals can adapt exercises, homework, and check-ins so the work continues between appointments.