Maria Napoli, LMHC

How Did I Become A Psychotherapist In NYC Helping Others Heal?

I’ve always been interested in psychology and what makes us human, so I knew fairly early in my life that I wanted to help people who were looking for support and orientation. Coming from Venezuela and being surrounded by taboos on mental health reinforced my desire to be there for those in need. 

Becoming a therapist has allowed me to enjoy the rewarding feeling of being able to provide emotional support and a safe space of healing for people who have been judged, misunderstood, or wounded by others. Whatever my clients bring into sessions, I meet each of them with compassion, sympathy, empathy, and honesty, which I believe are the cornerstones of all successful therapeutic relationships. 

What Kind Of Services Do I Provide?

I specialize in treating individuals who are in pain or stuck in unhealthy patterns that stem from trauma and PTSD. Many of my clients struggle with stress, relationship problems, depression, anxiety, mood disorders, and behavioral issues, so I do a lot of work in those areas. Helping people recover their sense of safety and reclaim their lives is immensely rewarding.  

Over the years, I have served a dynamic population of clients with diverse needs in numerous organizations, such as Project Renewal, Weill Cornell MTC, and New York Presbyterian Hospital. In the process, I gained valuable insight that ultimately helped me expand my skill set and made me a more understanding, resourceful, and capable therapist. 

It also allowed me to gain the confidence and technical expertise to go into private practice which is where I began prior to becoming the Co-Founder and Co-Program Director of Live Well Practice NY. It’s here that I do my life’s work of helping people break out of painful, unproductive patterns holding them back so they can finally heal and transform their lives for the better. 

How Would I Describe My Counseling Philosophy?

First and foremost, I believe in the importance of being open and honest because, sometimes, this work requires brutal honesty in order for clients to fully create change and build the lives they want for themselves. So, I first spend time getting to know each client and developing a rapport that enables them to trust in the process and feel comfortable exploring their thoughts, emotions, and experiences. 

Since therapy is a collaborative effort, I love working with people who prioritize self-improvement and want to create opportunities for themselves. It’s my goal to make sure all of my clients feel safe and secure while under my care. So, although I believe in communicating directly and honestly, being lighthearted and humorous is also an important part of who I am as a therapist and a human being.

What Kind Of Tools Do I Use In Therapy?

I draw from a spectrum of holistic, integrative therapy models to ensure that I tailor treatment according to each person’s needs and circumstances:

• Motivational Interviewing involves open-ended questions, personal reflection, confidence-building, and other strategies that help clients create positive change.

• Mindfulness Practices, including relaxation techniques, breathwork, and somatic tools, activate the parasympathetic nervous system, helping clients feel safe, calm, and in control.

• Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) involves identifying, challenging, and restructuring cognitive distortions and negative thoughts so clients can adopt healthier perspectives.

• Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT) helps individuals and couples improve their relationships by exploring the link between emotions and identity.

• Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) therapy is a non-invasive, bilateral brain stimulation technique that reduces the emotional charge of memories associated with a traumatic experience. 

• Flash Technique is a non-invasive intervention that helps reduce disturbances by using bilateral stimulation and blinking of the eyes. 

• Reiki II Reiki is an energy-based healing practice that involves light touch or even no physical contact at all. Through gentle hand positioning, practitioners help direct energy within the body, fostering balance and promoting the body's natural healing process.

What Makes Me And My Approach To Counseling Unique?

I believe that I am warm and personable, and I always try to be as present as humanly possible with my clients by showing compassion and listening deeply to each person’s story. My diverse professional background has provided me with a profound sense of understanding and empathy for those in need. 

All of my counseling services at Live Well Practice NY are provided online for added convenience and accessibility. I can speak fluent Spanish and conversational Italian, which opens doors for some clients who speak English as a second language. 

As an immigrant myself, I also know what it’s like to make a big life transition, navigate unfamiliar circumstances, and start all over. These are challenges that many people experience, especially when coming to a place like NYC, so that experience gives me deep and valuable insight that other therapists may not possess. For me, being an immigrant means successfully having overcome the challenge of adapting to new spaces, getting to know oneself in a compassionate manner, and not letting your essence disappear in the process.  

As a holistic therapist, I have dedicated my career to providing clients with mental health care that takes the whole person into account. That’s why, over the years, I have intentionally sought out specialized training in psychotherapeutic models designed to foster healing on a mental, physical, and even spiritual level. 

What Am I Like Outside Of My Office?

People tell me I’m funny and reliable—and I try to show up as genuinely and respectfully as possible in every area of my life. I am dedicated, and people can trust my work—if I make a mistake, I’m capable of stepping back, thinking about it, and apologizing while learning how to avoid that mistake in the future. 

At the end of the day, we are all humans who err; the important thing is to know when to and how to come back from it. This is important while building therapeutic alliances as this basic understanding allows me to show up genuinely in sessions.

When I’m not working, I like to fill my days with cooking, traveling, listening to music, spending time with family, and simply exploring my neighborhood. I enjoy doing crafts like painting, cross-stitch, and diamond painting.