About Dr. Kristan Melo
Clientele seen
Children (<13)
Adults (25-64)
Teenagers (13-17)
Individuals
Young adults (18-24)
Treatment approaches
Acceptance and Commitment (ACT)
Humanistic
Cognitive Behavioral (CBT)
Integrative
Dialectical (DBT)
Person-Centered
Identity
Gender
FemaleLanguages spoken
English
Getting to know Dr. Kristan Melo
Welcome! I'm Dr. Kristan Melo, a New York State Licensed Psychologist offering online therapy for adults, teens, children, and caregivers. I have over 10 years of experience supporting clients with a wide range of needs, including autism, ADHD, anxiety, depression, life transitions, and identity development.
I am a neurodiversity-affirming therapist, and I'm also neurodivergent myself. I embrace the many ways our brains work and draw from both lived experience and clinical training to support you as a whole person.
My approach is collaborative, compassionate, and tailored to your goals. I understand that your mental health is shaped not just by symptoms, but by your environment, identity, and the way your brain processes the world. Whether you’re seeking practical tools, space for self-understanding, or support navigating daily life, my goal is to help you thrive as your authentic self.
What should a new client know about working with you?
My work is grounded in a neurodiversity-affirming framework—which means I see neurological differences like autism and ADHD as natural and valuable variations in how people experience the world. I aim to understand you as a whole person, not just a set of symptoms or a diagnosis.
I take a flexible, collaborative approach to therapy that adapts to your goals, learning style, and preferences. While I don’t follow any single method rigidly, I draw from a range of evidence-based tools to support you. These include strategies informed by:
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) – for identifying patterns and making meaningful shifts
Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) – for staying grounded in your values
Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) – for building emotional and relational skills
Mindfulness-based approaches – for cultivating presence and self-compassion
And most importantly, a person-centered foundation that values empathy, autonomy, and authenticity
Whether you're navigating anxiety, depression, life transitions, neurodivergent identity, or simply looking to feel more aligned and grounded in your life, I’ll meet you where you are. Therapy with me isn’t about trying to “fix” you—it’s about supporting your growth, self-understanding, and mental wellness on your own terms.
What is your typical process for working with clients?
Before your first session, you'll receive an invitation to set up your secure client portal, where you’ll complete a few intake forms. These forms cover your background, what you’re hoping to get out of therapy, and basic practice policies like consent, scheduling, and communication.
Our first session is a 50–60 minute intake, where I’ll ask questions to better understand your concerns, strengths, and goals. We’ll start building a picture of what support might look like for you and create a plan that feels aligned. If you're using insurance, I’ll also provide a diagnosis when appropriate for billing purposes—and we’ll talk that through together.
After that, most clients attend weekly 50–60 minute sessions, though frequency can be adjusted based on your needs and preferences. These sessions are collaborative and flexible, supporting you through things like anxiety, depression, life transitions, neurodivergent identity, or overall mental wellness.
If I’m working with a child, I involve caregivers regularly. This might include brief check-ins, separate parent sessions, or collaborative planning—tailored to your child’s age, needs, and therapy goals.
You don’t need to have everything figured out to get started. We’ll take it one step at a time, together.
Dr. Kristan Melo is not in-network with any insurances
It’s common for mental health providers to be out-of-network. Many insurance plans offer out-of-network coverage, so you may get partially reimbursed. Learn more
Out-of-pocket fees and assistance
Initial session: $250 for 60 minutes
Ongoing session: $250 for 50 minutes
Education and background
Practice names
Education and training
- St. John's University, PsyD in Clinical Psychology
- St. John's University, Master's in School Psychology
- Hunter College (Bachelor's)
Professional memberships
- American Psychological Association
Awards and publications
- Chancellor’s Award for Academic Excellence
- Livingston Welch Award for Outstanding Service in Psychology
NPI number
1619653581
How soon can I make an appointment with Dr. Kristan Melo?
Generally, Dr. Kristan Melo has appointments available on Zocdoc within 1 week. You can see Dr. Melo's earliest availability on Zocdoc and make an appointment online.
Is Dr. Kristan Melo accepting new patients?
Dr. Kristan Melo generally accepts new patients on Zocdoc. You can see Dr. Melo's earliest availability on Zocdoc and schedule an appointment online.
Does Dr. Kristan Melo accept my insurance?
Choose your insurance plan to verify if Dr. Melo is in-network.
Can I make an appointment with Dr. Kristan Melo online?
Yes, you can make an appointment online with Dr. Melo using Zocdoc. It’s simple, secure, and free.
What practice does Dr. Kristan Melo work with?
What are common reasons for patients to see Dr. Kristan Melo?
Dr. Kristan Melo frequently sees patients for Depression, New Patient Visit, Psychotherapy, Psychotherapy Intake / Initial Visit, and Therapy. You can see other visit reasons for Dr. Kristan Melo on their profile.
What languages does Dr. Kristan Melo speak?
Dr. Kristan Melo speaks English.