Patricia Spataro , LMHC

Patricia Spataro is a licensed mental health counselor and a Certified Employee Assistance Professional with more than 20 years of experience supporting people through a wide range of life and work challenges. She combines clinical skill with a collaborative manner, partnering with clients to address concerns and improve overall quality of life. Patricia draws on long-term experience in both clinical and program leadership roles - from 1996 to 2004 she served as Director of an Employee Assistance Program at Family and Children's Services in Albany, NY, where she managed administrative responsibilities and provided extensive clinical care, and from 2005 to 2016 she directed the Lawyer Assistance Program at the New York State Bar Association, offering assessment and treatment to lawyers and judges facing mental health concerns.

Her clinical work includes treatment for substance use disorders, depression, anxiety, trauma, grief, stress, relationship and work-related issues. She is trained in Motivational Interviewing, which supports motivation for change; Cognitive Behavior Therapy, which addresses unhelpful thinking and behavior patterns; and Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction, which teaches techniques for managing stress and increasing present-moment awareness. Patricia’s approach is active and collaborative - she joins with clients to meet their goals and to promote meaningful, lasting change.

Evidence-Based Approaches and Online Care

Patricia uses evidence-based techniques that have practical application in everyday life. Cognitive Behavior Therapy helps clients identify and change unhelpful thought patterns and behaviors, making it useful for conditions like anxiety, depression, and stress-related problems. Motivational Interviewing is a conversational approach that supports clients who are ambivalent about change, often applied to substance use concerns and behavior change goals. Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction offers simple attention and breathing practices to reduce reactivity and improve coping with chronic stress and grief.

Finding the right therapeutic approach is a collaborative process. Patricia works with clients to explore their needs, goals, and preferences and tailors interventions over time so the chosen strategies fit the person rather than forcing a single method.

Online therapy options such as video calls, phone sessions, live chat, and text-based messaging offer flexibility for people balancing work, family, and other responsibilities. These formats make it easier to access licensed professionals from different locations, maintain continuity of care during busy periods, and choose the communication style that feels most comfortable for each person.