I'm a licensed mental health counselor on Long Island who specializes in treating individuals who st
09/20/2025
Sometimes the hardest part is just getting started. That’s why your first 20 minutes are free. 🌟
Use this time to share your concerns, hear how therapy works, and explore how your teen can benefit, no commitment required.
Let's start with a simple conversation. Schedule your free consult through the link in bio. 🌸
09/19/2025
Social anxiety often sounds like a never-ending spiral of “what ifs.”
👉 What if I say the wrong thing? What if they laugh at me? What if I fail?
These thoughts can keep teens stuck in worry instead of enjoying life. Therapy helps break the cycle, giving them tools to quiet the spiral and step into confidence. 💬✨
Behind many anxious habits are qualities that can become lifelong assets. Teens who hesitate before speaking often develop empathy. Those who overthink may become strong critical thinkers. And the same kids who worry about every detail often grow into organized, reliable adults.
Therapy helps reframe these traits, removing shame, easing anxiety, and strengthening the positive qualities already within your teen. 💡
A simple act of listening can save a life. A gentle check-in can remind someone they matter. Together, we can shift the story around su***de from silence to support.
📍 On this World Su***de Prevention Day, let’s be the voice that reminds others: you are valued, you are not alone, and help is always within reach.
***dePreventionDay
09/05/2025
📚 Myth: Good grades = no struggles.
💡 Fact: Many socially anxious teens excel academically while quietly battling self-doubt, isolation, and fear of participation. Success on paper doesn’t always show the whole picture.
✨ Let’s look beyond grades and recognize the hidden challenges our teens may carry.
You want your child to join that club, speak up in class, or order their own food but right now, the “no way” feels stronger than the “I’ll try.”
That’s where we come in. 💡 Kids don’t resist because they don’t care they resist because they don’t yet have the skills or confidence. At The Social Mind Counseling, we help them build both.
The teenage brain is still under construction 🧠✨ That’s why impulse control, problem-solving, and decision-making can feel harder for teens.
Understanding this helps us respond with patience and support instead of frustration. 💜
💬 What’s one strategy you use to help your teen pause before reacting? Share below!
08/27/2025
I didn’t always know I’d end up running groups, but looking back, it feels like the perfect fit. My journey began in college, when I shifted from teaching to psychology. That one decision changed everything and opened the door to a career I truly love.
Over the years, I discovered the power of group work—helping kids, teens, and young adults find their voice, build connections, and experience small but meaningful wins like making a new friend or ordering their own food. Those moments reminded me why I chose this path in the first place.
It’s truly inspiring to see people thrive, and that’s a big part of why I chose this field. I saw the potential to make a meaningful impact on people’s lives, and that motivated me to pursue this path.Initially, my mother wanted me to become a teacher. She worked at a school and envisioned me ...
08/25/2025
Anxiety often speaks in hidden language. Kids may not say “I feel anxious,” but they might say “I don’t want to go” or complain of stomachaches.
These behaviors are not defiance, they’re signs of overwhelm.
When parents understand the language of anxiety, they can validate, reassure, and guide their child toward healthier coping strategies. 🌱
📍 Our team at The Social Mind Counseling helps parents and children translate these signals into connection and growth. Learn more at https://www.thesocialmindcounseling.com/
08/16/2025
When teens are overwhelmed, they need your steady presence more than anything. 💛
Pausing to listen, validate, and guide them through tough moments helps strengthen your relationship. ✅ 🌱
Anxiety can be invisible, yet it impacts grades, friendships, and self-esteem.
High-achieving teens may look “fine” on the outside but carry heavy self-doubt inside. Therapy can help them build confidence, find their voice, and feel in control again 💬💪
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I'm so excited you're here for help and support! Whether you are struggling with anxiety, transitions, stress, or making and keeping friends, I am here to help you! The truth is that you are capable of handling situations better, learning new skills, and feeling connected to others around you.
…but before we go on, let me tell you a little about myself; I am a Mental Health Counselor licensed in New York State. I attended SUNY Stony Brook and received a Bachelor's degree in Psychology. Later on, I attended CUNY Queens, where I obtained my Master's degree in Counseling. I knew from the beginning of my academic career that I wanted to help people and was fascinated by how humans develop. I mainly took an interest in how twice-exceptional* individuals develop. In 2011 I started working with individuals on the Autism Spectrum at ASPIRE Center for Learning and Development, where I learned A LOT from an excellent team of psychologists, speech-language pathologists, and other professionals! Not to mention, I learned a lot from the families and individuals I counseled. I was lucky enough to work with a variety of individuals throughout the lifespan. Although I love working with clients of varying ages, I most enjoy working with children and teens who are working on social-emotional skills as well as individuals transitioning into college.
Now, I'm in private practice, doing what I love! I continue working with individuals struggling with emotional and social understanding and anxiety. I see children as young as 6 through young adulthood.
During our time together, I will have the opportunity to learn more about you; your strengths and weaknesses and how I can best help and support you. Here are a few issues that I might be able to help you with:
- Dealing with and understanding your anxiety
- Psychoeducation for parents
- Making and keeping friends
- Reading social cues
- Understanding yours and other people's emotions and perspectives
- Advocating for yourself
- Home-based living skills
- Community-based skills
I always tailor my therapeutic practice with what the client needs. For your knowledge, I use the following modalities with my clients:
- Cognitive Behavioral Therapy
- Exposure therapy
- Social-Emotional Learning
- Mindfulness
- Positive Psychology
- Experiential Therapy
If you have any questions or to set up an appointment, call me at 631-683-8485 or email me at monicawellsLMHC@gmail.com.
*The term twice-exceptional, refers to gifted children who have some form of disability. These children are considered exceptional both because of their giftedness (e.g., intellectual, creative, perceptual, motor, etc.) and because of their special needs (e.g., specific learning disability, neurodevelopmental disability, etc.) https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Twice_exceptional