About Dr. Maryann B. Schaefer, LMHC – Licensed Mental Health Counselor in Manhasset

With over 25 years of experience, I support individuals, couples, and families in navigating emotional challenges, strengthening communication, and building healthier, more connected lives. As a Licensed Mental Health Counselor (LMHC) and Fellow of the American Psychotherapy Association, I bring both clinical expertise and compassionate care to my work. I currently maintain a private practice in Manhasset, after many years of serving clients in Manhattan.

My professional outreach includes presentations to schools, civic organizations, and professional associations. These talks have addressed a wide range of topics, including family issues, relationship issues, parenting, academic pressure, depression, anxiety, and emotional resilience. My guest lectures at universities and appearances on television and radio programs have helped educate communities about mental health, effective communication, pregnancy loss, and bullying.

As a participant in public panel discussions—such as those responding to the nationally acclaimed film Race to Nowhere—I’ve explored how the pressure for high academic achievement affects the emotional and physical well-being of students. These conversations have brought parents, educators, and mental health professionals together to advocate for more balanced, student-centered approaches to learning and growth.

Throughout my career, I’ve helped parents examine the vital role of early bonding, family structure, and emotional development. Topics such as the maternal-infant bond, the family as a child’s first moral and social unit, and the connection between psychological and spiritual health have been central to this work. These foundations continue to shape my clinical approach.

In my private practice, I work with adults, adolescents, and children to manage difficult emotions, identify self-sabotaging patterns, and improve their relationships. I frequently work with individuals and couples who are objectively successful but struggle to build or maintain emotionally fulfilling connections. Through targeted support, I help them understand and express their emotional needs—bridging the gap between conflict and resolution.

Recurring themes I address in therapy include:

• Family issues such as communication breakdowns & parenting stress
• Relationship issues including infidelity & emotional disconnection
• Grief & pregnancy loss
• Maternal infant-bonding and early attachment
• Parent-child relationships, including boundary-setting & active listening
• Substance abuse and its impact on families and relationships
• Multigenerational emotional patterns and personal growth

Many clients are unaware of how unresolved emotions shape their behaviors. If you’ve ever found yourself stuck in repeated patterns or feeling unsure how you arrived at a certain place in life, therapy can help. Together, we can uncover the root causes and implement healthier, more intentional ways of thinking, feeling, and relating.

Your Story Is Essential 

Every part of your story matters—your joys, your setbacks, and everything in between. As a Manhasset therapist, I believe that therapy is a space where your life story can become a source of clarity, growth, and renewal.

When we take time to reflect on what’s shaped you, we gain insight into the patterns that no longer serve you—whether emotional, interpersonal, or circumstantial. Therapy can help you move through ambivalence, release what’s holding you back, and step more fully into the life you want.

If this resonates even a little, I invite you to call (516) 627-1145 to schedule a complimentary consultation. Together, we can explore how to move past the blocks—internal or external—that stand in the way of your peace, purpose, or progress.