Dr. Wendy Whinnery , LMHC

Dr. Wendy Whinnery is a licensed mental health counselor in New York with ten years of clinical experience and advanced training in trauma and counselor education. She holds the LMHC credential, which indicates state licensure to practice mental health counseling, and has earned national and specialty certifications including nationally certified counselor, certified clinical mental health counselor, certified clinical trauma professional, credentialed grief specialist, and approved clinical supervisor, qualifications that reflect additional training and experience and the ability to supervise other clinicians. She completed a Master’s Degree in Mental Health Counseling at Capella University and a PhD in Counselor Education and Supervision with a specialization in trauma and crisis from Walden University.

As a military spouse of a combat veteran, she brings practical familiarity with military life and supports related concerns, informed by seven years serving as a Family Readiness Group Leader and three years as a Battalion leader. Her clinical work spans a wide range of concerns, including depression, anxiety, obsessive compulsive disorder, bipolar disorder, personality disorders, grief, PTSD, relationship and parenting challenges, and issues related to gender and sexuality. She also works with stress, compassion fatigue, addictions, LGBT concerns, eating issues, anger, self-esteem, ADHD, and other life transitions.

Her preferred orientation is person-centered, emphasizing warmth, genuineness, and unconditional positive regard, while drawing on cognitive behavioral, solution-focused, reality, and rational emotive behavior therapy techniques to teach practical tools for change. She emphasizes an empathic, nonjudgmental approach that treats each person as the expert on their own life and supports collaborative work toward meaningful goals.

Therapeutic Approaches and Online Care with Dr. Wendy Whinnery

Client-centered therapy emphasizes empathy, respect, and the client’s own perspectives; it focuses on building a trusting relationship so individuals can explore feelings and identify their own solutions, which can be helpful for relationship concerns, grief, and self-esteem issues.

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, or CBT, helps people identify and shift unhelpful thoughts and behaviors through practical strategies and skill building, and is often effective for anxiety, depression, and mood-related concerns.

Solution-focused therapy centers on strengths and concrete goals, helping clients identify small, achievable steps toward change and forward movement when coping with life transitions or specific problems.

Finding the right therapeutic approach is part of the collaborative process. Dr. Whinnery and each client discuss needs, goals, and preferences to determine which methods or combination of methods will be most useful, adjusting the plan over time based on progress and feedback.

Online therapy through video calls, phone sessions, live chat, or text-based messaging offers flexibility for scheduling and allows clients to engage in care from their own settings. These options make it easier to access regular support, accommodate busy routines, and maintain continuity of care even when in-person visits are not feasible.