Melissa Flanagan, LCSW, New York, NY

What patients are saying

Overall rating

5.00

Average wait time

5.00

Bedside manner

5.00

About Melissa Flanagan

Focus areas

Anxiety Disorder

Depression

Bipolar Disorder

Schizophrenia

Caregiver Burnout

Young Adult Issues

Clientele seen

Young adults (18-24)

Individuals

Adults (25-64)

Seniors (65+)

Treatment approaches

Strength-Based

Psychodynamic

Cognitive Behavioral (CBT)

Identity

Gender

Female

Languages spoken

English

Getting to know Melissa Flanagan

After working in community-based mental health settings since I started my career almost 20 years ago, I opened my private psychotherapy practice, The Community Couch, in 2022, and I made a commitment to do things differently. I wanted to offer in-person sessions, accept insurance, set below-market rates, and offer a few pro bono spots for people who couldn't otherwise access therapy. To bring a little more approachability and warmth into the therapy space, I bought a funky, purple velvet couch for my office and named my practice after my mission to make private therapy accessible to more people than just the lucky few who can pay out-of-pocket. Now a few years in, my practice continues to evolve for the benefit of my clients and stays aligned with my core values. To protect your privacy and your data I do not use Artificial Intelligence (AI) anywhere in my practice, and I have stepped away from those big therapy platforms that are funded by profit-first venture capitalists (VCs). I try to keep big business out of my small business as much as I can.

What should a new client know about working with you?

My approach to psychotherapy and developing treatment goals is always through a biopsychosocial lens that gives attention to race, culture, gender identity and expression, general health concerns, socioeconomics, medical wellness, and phase of life. I use a combination of clinical modalities derived from Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), psychodynamic therapy, and Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT), which I learned as a clinical trainee at Bellevue Hospital's Intensive Personality Disorders Program. I believe that helping people understand the relationship between negative thoughts, self-judgment, emotional suffering, and unhelpful patterns of behavior can be transformative across a broad spectrum of mental health problems. And the scientific studies agree! ?My style in session is collaborative and dynamic. I enjoy actively participating and will challenge you when appropriate. While of course it's important to ask you, "How does that make you feel?", there is so much more to the therapeutic experience than this question alone. I want to move you forward with new insight and new ways of coping and thinking that will last long after therapy ends.

Is this doctor in your insurance network?

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In-network insurances

Aetna

BlueCross BlueShield

Medicare

UnitedHealthcare

200+ more in-network plans

Out-of-pocket fees and assistance

Initial session: $200 for 60 minutes

Ongoing session: $140 for 45 minutes

Files your insurance claim: You pay the session fee upfront and the provider files the claim for you, so you can get reimbursed directly without worrying about the paperwork

More information on payments and coverage

I am in-network with many Medicare plans, Athem Blue Cross/Blue Shield, Aetna, Optum, and United Health.

Popular visit reasons

Anxiety

Anxiety Disorder

Depression

Mood Swings

Psychotherapy

Psychotherapy Intake / Initial Visit

Therapy

Young Adult Issues

Anxiety

Anxiety Disorder

Depression

Mood Swings

Office location

Melissa Flanagan, LCSW also offers online video visits for patients

The Community Couch LCSW PLLC

1115 Broadway, 10th Fl, Ste 1028, New York, NY 10010

Get directions

Education and background

Practice names

The Community Couch LCSW PLLC

Education and training

New York University, Master's in Clinical Social Work
University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign (Bachelor's)

Professional memberships

National Association of Social Workers

Awards and publications

The Perfect Doctor: Forty Voices on the Imperfect Pursuit of an Ideal: Yakhkind MD, Sasha: 9798218416010: Amazon.com: Books
Let’s run away together: I’m a therapist leaving venture capital-backed mental health. | by Melissa Flanagan, LCSW | Mar, 2025 | Medium
Opinion | Helping Homeless People Who Are Mentally Ill - The New York Times
Fellow, National Association of Social Workers Foundation Connect to End COVID-19 Initiative, 2024

NPI number

1073188678

Patient reviews

All reviews have been submitted by patients after interacting with the practice.

Overall rating

5.00

Wait time

5.00

Bedside manner

5.00

Your trust is our top concern, so providers can't pay to alter or remove reviews. We also don't publish reviews that contain any private patient health information. Learn more here

1 review

Most relevant

Less than 1 year agoInitials hidden

Frequently asked questions

How soon can I make an appointment with Melissa Flanagan?

Generally, Melissa Flanagan has appointments available on Zocdoc within 1 week. You can see Melissa Flanagan's earliest availability on Zocdoc and make an appointment online.

Is Melissa Flanagan accepting new patients?

Melissa Flanagan generally accepts new patients on Zocdoc. You can see Melissa Flanagan's earliest availability on Zocdoc and schedule an appointment online.

Does Melissa Flanagan accept my insurance?

Choose your insurance plan to verify if Melissa Flanagan is in-network.

Can I make an appointment with Melissa Flanagan online?

Yes, you can make an appointment online with Melissa Flanagan using Zocdoc. It’s simple, secure, and free.

What practice does Melissa Flanagan work with?

Melissa Flanagan works with The Community Couch LCSW PLLC.

Where is Melissa Flanagan's office located?

Melissa Flanagan has 2 office locations in New York, view full addresses on Melissa Flanagan's profile.

What are common reasons for patients to see Melissa Flanagan?

Melissa Flanagan frequently sees patients for Anxiety, Depression, Psychotherapy, Psychotherapy Intake / Initial Visit, and Therapy. You can see other visit reasons for Melissa Flanagan on their profile.

What languages does Melissa Flanagan speak?

Melissa Flanagan speaks English.

How do patients rate Melissa Flanagan in reviews?

1 patients have reviewed Melissa Flanagan. The overall rating for this doctor is 5/5. They have a 5/5 rating for bedside manner and a 5/5 rating for wait time. You can read individual reviews and ratings on their profile.