Michelle Schwab, MHC-LP

Hi, my name is Michelle Schwab, and I am a mental health counselor in New York. I earned my MSEd in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from St. John’s University and am currently pursuing my PhD in Counseling at Montclair State University, where I serve as a Doctoral Fellow focusing on adoption research. My work is grounded in a deep belief that people heal when they feel fully seen, respected, and understood.

I approach therapy with the understanding that our emotional lives are inseparable from the social and cultural contexts we navigate. Experiences shaped by race, culture, privilege, oppression, identity, and power dynamics can profoundly influence how we move through the world. This can impact our self-worth, relationships, and the ways we respond to stress or uncertainty. I view therapy as a space to explore these dynamics, deepen understanding, strengthen emotional resilience, and create meaningful change. My goal is to help you develop a more compassionate relationship with yourself and live with greater clarity, freedom, and intention. Whether you’re navigating anxiety, identity questions, relationship concerns, trauma, or life transitions, I strive to create a therapeutic space where you feel safe, supported, and empowered.

I integrate Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Adlerian Therapy, and Narrative Therapy, tailoring sessions to your unique needs, identities, and goals. My clinical experience includes treating severe and persistent mental illness, addiction, and co-occurring disorders across partial hospitalization, intensive outpatient, and chemical dependency programs. I also have extensive experience supporting individuals within the Disability and Rare Disease communities and the LGBTQIAP+ communities, ensuring therapy remains accessible, affirming, and culturally responsive.

Therapy with me is a collaborative process. You are the expert in your own life, and my role is to help you uncover patterns, build insight, and develop the skills you need to move toward your goals. My practice is grounded in anti-oppressive and trauma-informed principles, honoring the sociocultural factors that shape your experiences. In our early sessions, we will explore what brings you to therapy and begin understanding your personal history, strengths, and concerns. As we continue working together, we’ll deepen this exploration and examine emotions, identify thought and behavior patterns, and uncover the internal narratives that influence how you see yourself and relate to others. Your goals may evolve over time, and we will revisit them together at a pace that feels right for you. Throughout our work, my commitment is to co-create a therapeutic relationship that respects your autonomy, affirms your identity, and centers your healing.

If you’re looking for a therapist in New York who integrates identity-affirming care, cultural responsiveness, and evidence-based practice, I would be honored to support you at NGMHC.

Specialties: Anxiety, Identity Development, Trauma, LGBTQIAP+ Care, Disability & Rare Disease, Life Transitions, Adoption & Family Systems

Approach: CBT, Adlerian Therapy, Narrative Therapy, Multicultural & Anti-Oppressive