Melody Millando-Wirtenson, Ph.D.

Melody Millando-Wirtenson, Ph.D., is a licensed clinical psychologist who works with adults and has over 20 years of clinical experience. She earned her doctorate in Clinical Psychology from the Derner Institute of Advanced Psychological Studies at Adelphi University and completed her internship at the Northport VA Medical Center. She brings extensive experience working with military veterans, service members, and first responders, and has a nuanced understanding of the unique stressors, identities, and systems that shape these communities. Her work in these settings has deepened her appreciation for resilience, as well as the importance of having a space where people don’t have to carry everything alone.

She has a particular interest in depth-oriented trauma work, supporting clients in gently and thoughtfully processing experiences that continue to have a lasting impact. She also works especially well with high-functioning professionals who may appear “put together” on the outside, but feel a sense of strain, disconnection, or burnout internally.

Dr. Millando-Wirtenson’s therapeutic approach is primarily psychodynamic and relational, with a strong foundation in mindfulness. She pays close attention to how past experiences, relationships, and internal narratives shape the way we move through the present. At the same time, she values staying active and engaged in the therapy process—helping clients not only gain insight but also translate that awareness into real shifts in their day-to-day lives.

Her style is warm, thoughtful, and down-to-earth. She offers a safe, grounded, and collaborative space where clients can slow down, reflect, and begin to make sense of patterns that may feel confusing, stuck, or overwhelming. She values honesty, curiosity, and building a genuine therapeutic relationship where clients feel both supported and challenged in meaningful ways. She sees therapy as a shared process—one that unfolds over time and creates space for deeper understanding and self-awareness, self-compassion, and lasting change.