MEET THE TEAM
Melissa Schroeder, Psy.D., BCBA
Melissa Schroeder is a licensed clinical psychologist and board-certified behavior analyst with extensive experience supporting children, adolescents, young adults, and families. She earned her doctorate in Clinical Psychology from Long Island University’s Post campus and completed her internship at the VA NY Harbor Healthcare System in Brooklyn. She holds advanced training and certifications in Buddhist Psychology, trauma treatment, DBT, and trauma-informed yoga.
Clinical Experience
Dr. Schroeder has worked across a variety of mental health settings, including residential treatment facilities, inpatient hospitals, outpatient clinics, college counseling centers, military and law enforcement treatment facilities, and preschools. Before transitioning into full-time private practice, she also provided in-home behavioral services as a BCBA. These diverse experiences allow her to meet clients with compassion, adaptability, and a wide range of effective therapeutic tools.
Community Engagement
Community outreach is an integral part of Dr. Schroeder’s work. She leads trainings for staff, students, and parents, supervises graduate student therapists, and frequently represents her practice at community wellness fairs. She also volunteers as a children’s yoga instructor and co-founded the Buddhist and Contemplative Practice group, where she helps fellow psychotherapists integrate Eastern practices with traditional approaches.
Professional Involvement
To deepen her practice, Dr. Schroeder completed a Buddhist Psychology training program, weaving mindfulness and insight meditation into her clinical work. She serves as a member-at-large for the Suffolk County Psychological Association, where she was previously an executive board member, and is actively involved in the Long Island chapter of the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention. SCPA AFSP
Therapeutic Approach
Dr. Schroeder takes a holistic, mind-body approach to therapy, often incorporating movement, play, and creativity into sessions. Curiosity and open-mindedness are core tenets of her work. With a 300-hour trauma-informed yoga and mindfulness certificate, she specializes in treating emotional distress, trauma-related challenges, and supporting Queer youth and their families. Her integrative style blends Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), mindfulness-based methods, and insight-oriented approaches to meet each client’s unique needs.
Dr. Schroeder is active in several professional and lived-experiences networks including
Suffolk County Psychological Association, National Register of Health Service
Psychologists, Buddhist and Contemplative Practices group, The American Foundation
for Suicide Prevention, National Association for Rights Protection and Advocacy,
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.
Karyn Murphy, LCSW
It may not feel like it right now, but I believe happiness is a choice. I also believe that we are in control of our tomorrows. That is why the work we do in therapy is so life-changing. Our first step will be to alleviate the symptoms you are feeling so that you can work through what is currently holding you back from a place of rest and make some changes to move forward. Building on that foundation, we will work towards the discovery of your true authentic self, defining values and morals to guide you. I often include Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and Acceptance & Commitment Therapy (ACT) into my practice, as these tend to be transformational and increase positive cognitions and self-talk over the long term. I also do attachment work and motivational interviewing.
