Melissa  Mastrostefano
Vetted

Melissa Mastrostefano

Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker, LICSW Specialties Insurance & Fees Locations
Rhode Island Accepting Online
Jamestown Accepting In-person
Updated January 24, 2023

Specialties & Expertise

  • Loss and grief
  • Soul injury
  • Trauma
  • Depression
  • Anxiety
  • Chronic & terminal illness
  • Pet loss

Professional statement

Melissa Mastrostefano is a Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker in Newport, Rhode Island. In her private practice, Melissa sees children, teenagers, young adults, college students, adults, and seniors, with a focus on grief and loss.

Melissa has expertise in grief, loss, trauma, depression, anxiety, chronic, and terminal illness. She is a grief and loss specialist, and is affiliated with Memorial Funeral Homes in Newport where she leads classes and workshops on the topic. Melissa also leads support groups and provides professional development workshops for organizations. In addition, as a certified Celebrant, she officiates and develops meaningful and personalized ceremonies to assist a community to heal after a loss.

Melissa is dedicated to learning best practices; her work is grounded in academic research. She studies under Rev. Dr. Rev. Lark d’ Helen, a Certified Grief Recovery Method Specialist and URI college professor of Thanatology.

Melissa has an extensive social work background. She has spent time working in community mental health centers, schools, and a cancer center. Her thirty years of experience and training in various therapy modalities enable her to help her clients process powerlessness, change, guilt, and other difficult emotions. Melissa uses Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, Existential Therapy, mindfulness practices, supportive therapy, restorative practices, and Soul Injury Treatment.


Message to clients

Is your heart broken? Have you experienced a significant loss of any kind? Do you feel stuck in your grief, struggling to cope with change or confusing intense emotions? I can help you feel better. Grief is a natural and normal reaction to loss but few of us have been taught how to handle it. The emotions accompanying grief can be so scary and overwhelming. The good news is that you can heal and learn positive actions you can take to recover. I want to come along side of you and guide you through the process. I have successfully helped many others and I want to help you too.


Specialties

Loss and grief - Processing the loss of a loved one, any form of grief; processing the emotional aspects of personal illness or the illness of a loved one

Soul injury - A penetrating wound that separates one's self from their fundamental identity, shrinks their sense of goodness/beauty and leaves emptiness, disconnection and/or a belief of being damaged or defective

Trauma - Including dealing with past sexual assault, childhood trauma, environmental trauma (e.g. witnessing/experiencing violence), PTSD (post traumatic stress disorder)

Depression - Sleep and energy disruption, overall mood disturbance, inability to enjoy yourself, and difficulty being motivated, amongst many other symptoms

Anxiety - Generalized anxiety, social anxiety, panic attacks

Chronic & terminal illness - Managing chronic illness; receiving a diagnosis, contemplating and processing related emotions, viewing through a holistic lens

Pet loss - Processing the loss of a loved pet




Clientele

  • Adults (24+)
  • Children (<12)
  • Seniors (65+)
  • Teenagers (13-18)
  • Young adults (18-24)

Insurance

  • Blue Cross Blue Shield
  • Neighborhood Health Plan of Rhode Island
  • United Healthcare

Out-of-pocket fees

  • Individual sessions: $120
  • Initial session: $150

Additional session information

Out-of-network billing options

This provider can support you in getting reimbursement from your insurance company if you are seeking out-of-network reimbursement. Here are the out-of-network billing options they provide:

  • Super billing

Location(s)

Jamestown practice
20 Cutter Street, Jamestown, Rhode Island 02835
Accepting new clients in-person
Currently Available Times
  • Morning (Before 10am)
  • Daytime (10am - 1pm)
  • Afternoon (1pm - 5pm)
  • Evening (After 5pm)
  • Weekends
Regular Hours
  • Mon 12:00pm-5:00pm
  • Tue 8:00am-8:00pm
  • Wed 8:00am-8:00pm
  • Thu 8:00am-12:00pm
  • Fri Professional development workshops
  • Sat Closed
  • Sun Closed

Online Sessions (Rhode Island)
Accepting new clients online
Currently Available Times
  • Morning (Before 10am)
  • Daytime (10am - 1pm)
  • Afternoon (1pm - 5pm)
  • Evening (After 5pm)
  • Weekends
Regular Hours
  • Mon 12:00pm-5:00pm
  • Tue 8:00am-8:00pm
  • Wed 8:00am-8:00pm
  • Thu 8:00am-12:00pm
  • Fri Professional development workshops
  • Sat Closed
  • Sun Closed

Work and Education

South Shores Community Mental Health Center
East Bay Center
RI Student Assistance Services
Lifespan Cancer Center, Newport Hospital
Private Practice, Individual therapy with elderly clients at end of life

Columbia University, MSW
Insight Institute, Certified Celebrant
International Institute for Restorative Practices, Graduate Courses, Certified Trainer
Barrington College, BSW


Languages

English


Therapy Groups

Melissa  Mastrostefano
8-Week Grief Recovery Method Support Group

This 8-week group run Melissa Mastrostefano, LICSW aims to help clients rebuild their lives through the allieviation of emotional distress that can be caused by unresolved grief.

Melissa  Mastrostefano
Group for Professional Development and Support

Become a part of the Aquidneck Island Clinical Consortium (ACC) to receive support from other mental health professionals and attend regular, free professional development opportunities.