Masters in Clinical Social Work, New York University, Silver School of Social Work
Certificate, Psychotherapy for Addictions and Severe Mental Health Challenges, New York University & New York State Researched-Informed Psychotherapy Methods Training Program
Certified AEDP Therapist, Accelerated Experiential-Dynamic Psychotherapy Institute
Certified AEDP Institute Supervisor, Accelerated Experiential-Dynamic Psychotherapy Institute
Internal Family Systems (IFS) Certificate, The Internal Family Systems Institute
Eye-Movement Desensitization Reprocessing (EMDR) Certificate, Parnell Institute for EMDR
Certificate, Somatic Treatment of Trauma, Sensorimotor Psychotherapy Institute
Certificate, 2-year Relational Psychoanalytic Psychotherapy and Psychoanalysis Program, Stephen A. Mitchell Center for Relational Studies
LGBTQIA-affirmative psychotherapy training, Institute for Human Identity (IHI) and Rainbow Heights/EqualityCares
Various advanced training in mindfulness-inspired cognitive-behavioral approaches, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy and Dialectical Behavioral Therapy
Continuous, advanced training in psychotherapy for traumatic experiences;
Member, Accelerate Accelerated Experiential-Dynamic Psychotherapy Institute
Member, International Society for the Study of Trauma and Dissociation
Current, New York LCSW license
Current, Connecticut LCSW license
Michael Mondoro is an Integrative Trauma Therapy Specialist, a Certified AEDP Therapist in NYC, a Certified AEDP Institute Training Supervisor, a North American AEDP Therapy Consultant for AEDP therapists in training and a licensed individual therapist. He is also trained in Internal Family Systems (IFS) and Attachment-Focused Eye-Movement Desensitization Reprocessing (AEDP with EMDR), all modern, research-and-neuroscience-informed methods for the treatment of complex experiences, including anxiety, panic, transition, loss, and trauma, and our reactions to them.
Education, Advanced Training, Licensing + Associations
Michael in his own words:
I am "emotion focused" because as a therapist I have learned that emotions are like GPS for life: powerful sources of meaning, wisdom, direction, and strength. They are the heart of our resiliency, our assertiveness, our self-protection, our vitality and our joy. I have witnessed that lasting, meaningful change and calm steadiness develops by mindfully deepening our connection to our most resilient, effective selves. With this connection in place, we can truly appreciate who we are, acknowledge our needs and wishes and act in the face of life's challenges.
I work “relationally” because effective therapy is about a real, connected relationship with a caring, professional other. It is my honor to be with you each step of the way, listening closely, sharing authentic observations and responses while providing experienced guidance, care and acceptance as you move through the process.
I am trauma-informed, an approach to psychological/emotional/relational problems that recognizes the role of past trauma on present day symptoms, experiences and relationships issues. Depending on a given moment, issue or obstacle, different methods are used to move the process forward. Some of the sources I draw from in my practice include: Parts Work like Internal Family Systems Therapy (IFS), Trauma Education, Accelerated Experiential Dynamic Psychotherapy (AEDP), Sensorimotor Psychotherapy, Eye-Movement Desensitization Reprocessing (EMDR) and Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT).
I have the utmost respect for the personal journey of examining how our choices shape our lives today. I have extensive experience supporting those who have chosen sobriety. I am also equally supportive of those who want to consider, understand, or lessen the impact of the use of sex, alcohol or another activity on their lives, but not stop altogether,
I am open to discussing all of the potential pathways to sexual expression and discovery with you. I consider myself a "sex positive" therapist which means that I believe that consensual sex is pleasurable; pleasure is ok; our bodies and our sexual preferences are good; and we need education and discussion, not conformity, influencing our sexual choices.
Therapy is an act of self-investment and self-compassion: when we deepen and clarify our connection to the core of who we are, we can see ourselves and our lives clearly and act to create a more fulfilling life. I believe — and have experienced personally and professionally — that a calm, clear and confident center develops by deepening our connection to our most essential, effective self, healing what holds us back and building on what already works. That is possible for all of us.
I have devoted my career to helping individuals with complex experiences rediscover their power, their potential and their sense of purpose. I am deeply passionate about helping individuals make lasting change for the better, create meaningful relationships, resolve roadblocks to peace of mind and build lives that feel truly worth living. I believe we all have the potential to heal, at any age, in almost any situation, with commitment and with the right help. As an individual who has experienced my own healing journey, it is incredibly rewarding for me to help others address their challenges, deepen their internal relationship and have more fulfilling relationships with those they love. Our work together is to help you breathe easier, know yourself well, have more satisfying relationships and move forward feeling calmer, clearer, confident and centered.
I’ve been there. And I know how to help you move through it for the better. I am in the trenches with you, from the moment we begin. No blank faces. No excessive head-nodding. No evasiveness. I’ll walk side-by-side with you to understand, unload and guide you to put down what you’ve been carrying and help you to create new experiences in the present that are helpful and encourage lasting, meaningful change that feels right to you. I bring focused presence, patience, persistence, playfulness, humor and honest straight talk to the process.
I work "experientially" because connecting with a felt-sense of your authentic feelings, in the moment, is often a more direct route to fostering deep insight, emotional wellbeing and change. Our past is intimately intertwined with our present experience of ourselves, our relationships, our work and careers, and our view of the world. By tuning in to your emotions and body in the present, we have an opportunity to process and learn from the past without simply reliving old wounds. I hope to help you create new experiences both in therapy and in life that are inherently healing and feel good to you.
Testimonials
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I have never experienced therapy like this. Experiential therapy is just different. We get down to business. No endless story telling AND my stories are welcomed. We stayed with what's coming up in the moment and I experienced myself in a way I have never before. I feel fortunate to have the opportunity to work together.
J.V.
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I can't thank you enough. You gave me all the room to be myself when no one else - myself included - could. Working with you has changed my life. I am and will be forever grateful.
P.N.
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Our work changed my entire perspective on who I am in relationships, love and dating. I feel better connected to who I really am and ready for others to see me. It feels so much easier to do this now.
B.Z.
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I have waited for years to feel safe enough to face this all. Thank you for guiding me through this.
LG.
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I finally feel like I can be still and just enjoy. Thank you for believing in me when I didn't believe in myself.
N.D.
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I knew you were right there with me and it made all of the difference. Thank you.
T.W.
