About Us
We’re a team of therapists whose passion is to help you!
We're here to help you become the BADASS we know you are!
Our Mission
We are a badass women empowering, client elevating, health and fitness driven, NYC based therapy practice, with the goal of providing a space for clients to understand and take steps to become the BADASSES they were meant to be…PERIODT!
I’M DR. MEL!
Melissa Robinson-Brown, PhD
Founder & Executive Director
Licensed Clinical Psychologist
Hi! I’m Dr. Melissa Robinson-Brown. Probably feels like a mouthful right?!?! Most people call me Dr. Mel for short. I’m pretty excited that you’re reading this because to me, that means that the idea of therapy has been somewhere floating around in your brain, and now you’re at the point of exploring potential options.
So let’s figure out if we would be a good fit!
I am a Licensed Clinical Psychologist, but you might also call me an empowerment enabler, a self-acceptance guide, and a mind-body connector. I help women who wish they could confidently identify and show up as their true authentic selves in interpersonal relationships as well as those who want to feel empowered while navigating difficult life situations and transitions. For many of my clients, a lack of skills, low self-esteem, minimal self-empathy, and/or past hurts tend to get in the way of hitting the goals that they set for themselves. Ultimately, this results in feelings of depression, anxiety, emotion dysregulation, and possibly even self-harm.
Backed by over 20 years of experience, I know that building a trusting bond with my clients is the starting point for a successful therapy journey. I show you how mindfulness, shifting certain behaviors, skills enhancement, and a solid dose of self-love can bring a fresh perspective to your life. Together, we’ll carve out a life where you feel secure, self-assured, and like a total BADASS! And we’ll get you UNSTUCK cause I know a lot of you are feeling that at this point in your life.
My approach is holistic, focusing on mind-body wellness. So, we’ll delve into how you care for yourself both physically and mentally. I like to think of my style as a blend of warmth and holding you accountable, with a unique and edgy twist of fun and quirkiness. Oh you’re gonna do the work in sessions, but I’ll be right there with you!
My goal is to build a culturally sensitive and attentive, judgement-free safe haven where clients can unwind and truly focus on their own well-being.
So what’s in it for you?
Get ready to feel powerful and embrace your unique self! Self-discovery isn’t a walk in the park, and I can vouch for that. Navigating through challenges of work-life balance, motherhood, leadership, discrimination, and even big career changes, I’ve had my share of uneasy feelings, fear of missing out, and questions, loads of them!
Sure, the road can be rough. You might want to retreat, ignore calls and emails, hide under the covers, and believe you can escape these challenges. But that’s precisely when I’ll be there, peeling those covers back, urging you to step outside your comfort zone and actually experience the change you’ve been wanting.
Think better mood, less anxiety, a more assertive approach to career, an ability to take audacious risks, actually make decisions in spaces where you’ve felt stuck, enhanced parent-child relationships, boosted self-esteem, fewer self-harming behaviors, and improved relationships with everyone around you. YOU READY?
For those who are interested, here’s a quick overview of my background/experience
- Licensed clinical psychologist in New York and New Jersey.
- Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology, with a child and family subspecialty, from Loyola University in Chicago.
- I’ve worked at several major hospitals in NYC, including Bellevue, NYU, New York Presbyterian/Columbia, and Mount Sinai.
- While at Mount Sinai, I was the co-director of the Psychology Training Program from 2014-2017, which included our APA Accredited Pre-Doctoral Internship Program. I also founded and led the Dialectical Behavior Therapy Program
- Completed 2-week intensive training in Dialectical Behavior Therapy
- Cognitive Behavior Therapy (CBT) and Attachment Regulation and Competency (ARC) trained
- Currently, I am an Assistant Clinical Professor at Mount Sinai and maintain a supervisory role in the Psychology Training Program.
I’m a fitness, health, and wellness enthusiast! I love using and incorporating mindfulness in my personal life and with my clients.
I’m a mom of 3 little girls and I strive to be engaged with my kids while also teaching them about independence, strength, and vulnerability. It’s not always easy, and I’m sure there have been many fails, but it’s a TON of fun!
I enjoy outdoor sports and like taking on different sports related physical challenges (think Tough Mudder and City Challenges). On a sunny day (or sometimes a rainy one too), you will either find me running while getting lost in a soul bumping playlist or outside having a great meal while getting lost in a good book!
I’M TIFFANIE
Tiffanie Brown, LCSW-R
Clinical Director
Licensed Clinical Social Worker-Registered
Hey! My name is Tiffanie Brown. I’m pretty excited for you because you showed up today which lets me know you are ready. Be proud of yourself for taking this first step; looking for the right therapist.
I hope your second step is to make a commitment to yourself so that we can do this work together.
I believe you arrived here because you are making such an important decision in your life. That YOU are ready to get YOU together. My approach is to create a safe space for you to say I am not okay. And as women of color, we don’t hear that enough. I will highlight two things; that it is okay to not be okay AND the work we will do together will help get you back to a place that feels good because you are healing. With that comes teaching you how to be honest with yourself, identifying and unpacking the “why” and giving you the tools so that you feel empowered to live and be your healthiest self.
I have expertise in working with individuals who struggle with mood disorders, such as depression and anxiety, trauma, and interpersonal relational challenges. With a commitment to cultural sensitivity and inclusivity, I enjoy working with individuals from diverse backgrounds, including race, ethnicity, gender, and sexuality. My approach is tailored to each individual’s specific needs and preferences, with a focus on evidence-based therapies and trauma-informed approaches.
For those who are interested, here’s a quick overview of my background/experience
- Licensed Clinical Social Worker-Registered in New York.
- Post Masters in Adolescent and Families at NYU
- Masters of Social Work (with a focus on individual and family) at Silberman School of Social Work at Hunter College
- Bachelor of Science in Psychology from Adelphi University
- Training in EMDR for Trauma with Adolescents and Adults
- Intensively trained in Dialectical Behavior Therapy
- Cognitive Behavior Therapy (CBT) and Attachment Regulation and Competency (ARC) trained
When I am not traveling, I am spending time with my family and affectionate dog, Whisky.
I’M MELANIE
Melanie Gibbons, LAC
Staff Psychotherapist
Licensed Associate Counselor
Hey! I’m Melanie. I’m so happy you are here! I am full of energy (after coffee, of course) and love to laugh. I can be a ball of fun, but we are gonna get stuff done. If you are reading this, maybe there is a part of you that is thinking it is time to change things up a bit in order for you to live the life you deserve?
If that is the case, should we do this thing?! Let’s find out!
I am a Licensed Associate Counselor. But I like to think of myself as a game-changing guru. When a woman takes the chance to bet on herself, the game changes. I empower women to tap into their inner strength and teach the skills necessary to proceed forward with radical self-acceptance. Come exactly as you are. You are welcome here!
Therapy is for everyone and can benefit all people. Effective therapy is a two-way street where both parties agree on a mutual goal. I am not the expert of your life, nor will I claim to know what is best for you. I guide my clients in the use of coping skills, mindfulness strategies, and behavioral techniques. Long story short, I help clients find their light. This light may have been dimmed by trauma, low self-esteem, childhood wounds, stress, depression, anxiety, or relational hurts.
Our work together will help you find your voice and re-ignite your light. I am not saying that this work will be easy. Many times, you will be faced with the darkest parts of yourself; the parts you have hidden from the world. Though facing these parts will be challenging, you will not be alone. I will be your guide back to yourself, connecting your mind, body, and spirit. With that connection, you will feel empowered to reach any goal you set for yourself, with the proper tools and direction. I consider myself to have a witty yet compassionate sense of humor, creating an authentic and safe therapeutic space.
We gonna keep it real boo!
I have expertise in working with couples and family therapy, relational issues and dysfunction, life transitions, and the healing that comes with post traumatic growth. My badass superpower is my ability to hear what is NOT being said. I strive to create relationships that are non-judgmental and culturally sensitive. I believe that you already have what you need to make the changes you deem necessary. I am simply here to help you bring those things to the surface.
For those who are interested, here’s a quick overview of my background/experience
Licensed Associate Counselor in New Jersey, New York Pending
- Member of the Motivational Interviewing Network of Trainers (MINT) since 2017; training small and large groups across the country.
- Expert in Motivational Interviewing (MI) and behavior change
- Managed supervisors and trained clinicians in the areas of advanced age and illness, and grief and loss. While in this role, I created a supervisory coaching program and used metrics to enhance the learning of clinicians working with clients focused on behavior change.
- Consultant with the Philadelphia Department of Behavioral Health and Intellectual Disabilities to increase the diversity of the social work and counseling graduates entering into the behavioral workforce
Adjunct professor at Peirce College in Philadelphia
I am a sports and music enthusiast. Watching professional sports in person or going to a live concert fills my soul with joy.
I played Division 1 basketball in college and am always seeking out new ways to test my athleticism. About 2 years ago, I challenged myself to run at least one mile for 365 days straight. It was one of the greatest accomplishments of my lifetime and I would never do it again.
This year, I am hoping to complete a Tough Mudder race with my partner. I am lucky to be the mom of a 4 year old girl. Even though she already has the sass of a 14 year old, I encourage her to remain strong willed and secure in who she is.
