The People Behind Compassion Mental Health Counseling
Compassion Mental Health Counseling is built on a simple idea: good therapy begins with the right connection. Our team of licensed therapists brings a range of specialties and therapeutic approaches, all grounded in a shared commitment to meeting you exactly where you are and helping you move forward.
Melissa Visconti, MS, LMHC — Owner & Licensed Mental Health Counselor
Melissa Visconti, MS, LMHC, is a Licensed Mental Health Counselor who has been helping adolescents and adults navigate life’s challenges since 2010. She brings a thoughtful, compassionate approach to therapy, creating a supportive space where clients can explore their concerns and work toward meaningful change.
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Melissa earned her Bachelor’s Degree in Legal Studies from St. John’s University and a Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology from Michigan State University. She later graduated with distinction from Hofstra University with a Master’s Degree in Mental Health Counseling.
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Before opening her private practice, Melissa worked in several local mental health clinics, supporting adolescents and adults facing a wide range of emotional and behavioral challenges.
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In her practice, Melissa works with individuals experiencing concerns such as anxiety, depression, obsessive-compulsive disorder, self-esteem struggles, body image issues, and eating disorders. She provides individual, family, couples, and group therapy, tailoring treatment to each client's unique needs.
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Melissa integrates evidence-based approaches, including cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), motivational interviewing, and dialectical behavior therapy (DBT) skills, while also taking a holistic perspective that considers the full context of each client’s life. When appropriate, she collaborates with other professionals to ensure her clients receive comprehensive and effective care.
Danielle Rodier, M.S., LMHC
Danielle Rodier is a Licensed Mental Health Counselor who has been working in private practice with Melissa Visconti since 2021. She earned her Master’s Degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from Long Island University.
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Before joining Compassion Mental Health Counseling, Danielle gained clinical experience working in nonprofit organizations supporting the LGBTQ+ community and in inpatient mental health hospital settings. These experiences helped shape her compassionate, inclusive approach to therapy.
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Danielle works with adolescents, young adults, and adults, supporting clients who are navigating challenges such as ADHD, mood disorders, trauma- and stressor-related disorders, gender dysphoria, and general mental health concerns.
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Her therapeutic approach integrates Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), Emotion-Focused Therapy (EFT), and person-centered therapy. Danielle believes that meaningful change begins with acceptance and understanding. Inspired by Carl Rogers’ words, “The curious paradox is that when I accept myself just as I am, then I can change,” she focuses on creating a supportive space built on empathy, authenticity, and unconditional positive regard.
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Danielle helps clients clarify their values, develop practical coping skills, and take meaningful steps toward building rich and fulfilling lives—even while acknowledging that challenges and pain are a natural part of the human experience.
Lisa Phillips, ATR-BC, LCAT, ATCS, MEd
Lisa Phillips is a licensed creative arts therapist and board-certified art therapist with more than 20 years of experience in the mental health field. Her work combines psychotherapy with creative expression to help clients explore emotions, process experiences, and develop healthier coping strategies.
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Lisa spent 17 years working as an art therapist in an inpatient acute psychiatric hospital, where she provided both art therapy and psychotherapy to patients of all ages with a wide range of mental health diagnoses. This experience gave her deep insight into supporting individuals during their most difficult moments, while helping them build tools for healing and resilience.
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In addition to her hospital work, Lisa has been in private practice for the past three years, continuing to help individuals use creative and therapeutic approaches to better understand themselves and their experiences.
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Lisa holds Master’s Degrees in Creative Arts Therapies and in Education with a specialization in counseling, both earned with distinction. In addition to her clinical work, Lisa is an accomplished artist whose work has been exhibited internationally. Most recently, her artwork was included in the Archives of American Art at the Smithsonian Institution in Washington, DC.
Julia Foran, LCAT, ATR-BC
Julia Foran is a Licensed Creative Arts Therapist and board-certified art therapist who works with individuals using both traditional psychotherapy and creative expression. She believes that the therapeutic process is a journey toward gaining a clearer understanding of oneself and developing a deeper connection with one’s emotions.
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Julia has clinical experience working in an acute psychiatric hospital setting, where she provides both art therapy and psychotherapy to a diverse population. Through this work, she has gained experience supporting children, adolescents, and young adults facing a wide range of emotional and behavioral challenges.
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Her therapeutic approach is rooted in person-centered therapy and incorporates elements of positive psychology, compassion-focused therapy, and skills from Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT).
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Julia often integrates the creative process into therapy, using art as a meaningful way for clients to explore emotions that may feel confusing or difficult to express in words. She believes that creative expression can help clients gain insight, process difficult experiences, and develop greater emotional awareness.
Taylor – Counselor-in-Training
Taylor is currently pursuing her Master’s Degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling at Long Island University. As a counselor-in-training, she works under supervision while gaining clinical experience supporting individuals facing a variety of mental health challenges.
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Taylor previously worked with a nonprofit organization that provides resources and support to at-risk youth navigating mental health concerns. This experience helped shape her compassionate and client-centered approach to counseling.
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She is passionate about collaborating with the licensed clinicians at Compassion Mental Health Counseling and strives to create a safe, nonjudgmental space where clients feel comfortable sharing their experiences. Taylor uses a person-centered approach, adapting her support to each client’s unique needs and circumstances.
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Her goal is to help clients feel heard, supported, and empowered as they develop healthy coping strategies to navigate life’s challenges.