Marilyn Bryan DeBernardo, LMHC

Marilyn Bryan DeBernardo is a New York Licensed Mental Health Counselor (LMHC) with 25 years of experience supporting adults through difficult changes. She listens without judgment and focuses on practical steps people can use right away. Her aim is to help people feel more able to manage stress, relationships, and impulses that cause problems in daily life.

Marilyn often works with people facing addictions, substance use concerns, and co-occurring mental health issues. She also helps with anxiety, depression, grief, trauma, and problems with intimacy and self-esteem. When relationships are strained, she helps clients talk through communication and commitment challenges and make clearer choices.

Her approach blends several methods so sessions are tailored to each person. She uses Cognitive Behavioral Therapy to change unhelpful thinking and behavior, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy to clarify values and take meaningful action, and Client-Centered techniques to make space for the client's goals. Dialectical Behavior Therapy and Emotionally-Focused Therapy are also part of her toolkit when emotional regulation or attachment patterns are central concerns.

Marilyn draws on decades of counseling in New York, including work with families touched by addiction and people coping with loss or trauma. She helps clients find community resources and practical supports when needed. Sessions focus on clear goals, skill-building, and small steps that add up to real change.

People who reach out can expect a calm, direct style that balances empathy with actionable guidance. She encourages honest conversation about what’s working and what needs to change, and partners with clients to map the next steps toward better functioning and well-being.

Therapeutic approaches and online options

Marilyn uses Cognitive Behavioral Therapy to help people notice and change unhelpful thoughts and behaviors, which can reduce anxiety and improve daily functioning. Acceptance and Commitment Therapy is also part of her work, helping people clarify their values and take committed action even when feelings are difficult. Client-Centered Therapy shapes her style as well, offering a respectful, nonjudgmental space where the client’s goals steer the work.

Choosing the right approach is a collaborative process. The therapist will discuss goals, preferences, and what has or hasn’t worked before, then try methods that fit the person. Sessions often combine techniques so the plan matches each client’s needs and evolves over time.

The biography does not list specific online session formats, so confirm current options before booking. Many people find that remote sessions make it easier to fit therapy into busy days, allow quicker check-ins when needed, and let sessions occur from quieter surroundings or during a lunch break. Licensed professionals can use these methods effectively online, and the focus remains on practical skills, emotional processing, and helping clients make meaningful changes.