Melissa Kester, LMFT

Melissa Kester, LMFT provides therapy for individuals, couples and adult family members. By looking into past and present relationships, she looks to develop new patterns and capacities with her clients to allow them more fulfilling relationships.
Melissa practices depth psychotherapy that incorporates systemic, relational, contemplative and psychodynamic therapy. She incorporates her trainings in Contemplative Psychotherapy and core systems theories (Imago, Relational Life Therapy, Gottman Method, Milan Group, Structural Family Therapy, and Internal Family Systems) to meet the needs of her clients.

Melissa Kester is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist in New York and Washington, DC. She has served as the Metro Chapter President of the New York State Association of Marriage and Family Therapy. Melissa has been a member of the Hunter College adjunct team, instructing graduate students in family therapy.

Personal and professional experiences have led Melissa to harness life’s humor with the joys and challenges of moving towards change. She embraces moments of levity that highlight the ingenuity and repetition we experience in our lives and with our loved ones.

Melissa sees therapy as an opportunity to stretch, and to listen to our minds and bodies. In your space you will be able to slow down and reconnect with yourself. It is a haven of your own design, where you can create or adjust boundaries for protection and healing.

Melissa’s clinical approach is integrative, combining systemic, psychodynamic, creative and contemplative psychotherapy. She recognizes the unique qualities each individual possesses and believes in complimenting them with an appropriate clinical approach. Through open dialogue and active listening, Melissa nurtures an environment for constructive change.