Nyx Melody, LMHC

Nyx Melody, LMHC (pronouns: they/them/theirs & fae/faer/faers) is a queer, panromantic, non-binary, trans femme New York State licensed mental health counselor, clinical supervisor, educator and consultant on anti-oppression, mental health, gender/sexuality, and LGBTQIA+ issues. They have had experience working with individuals, couples, and groups who are struggling with various issues, including but not limited to: trauma/abuse, gender/sexual identity, anxiety, depression, substance use, acculturation, racial identity exploration, and dismantling internalized inferiority and/or superiority. Nyx graduated from the Point Park University with a bachelor's degree in Psychology where they completed a research study regarding the ongoing coming out process for queer men. Nyx completed a dual masters degree: Masters of the Arts in Psychological Counseling and a Masters of Education in Mental Health Counseling from Teachers College, Columbia University, where faer took extensive course work and engaged in research initiatives surrounding queer and gender expansive microaggressions/mental health concerns. Nyx completed a clinical internship at Mount Sinai West - The Addictions Institute of New York working primarily with the Crystal Clear Project that assisted queer and TGNC clients with crystal methamphetamine dependence. Nyx started their career working with clients who have mental health, medical, and substance use concerns at a substance use treatment program in the South Bronx through Montefiore Medical Center. They worked at a queer affirmative group private practice and now run a successful private practice for therapy, coaching, and consultation services. Fae also works as an Adjunct Assistant Professor of Psychology & Education at Teachers College, Columbia University teaching mental health counseling graduate students. Nyx is an Adjunct Instructor in the Department of Applied Psychology at NYU Steinhardt School of Culture, Education, and Human Development teaching group dynamics, cross cultural psychology, and lab for individual counseling skills to graduate students in mental health counseling. Nyx has had the privilege of working in and amongst diverse populations, which has reframed their approach to therapy in order to ensure that it is more adaptable, accessible, and demystified. Fae believes that therapy for too long has been a space that perpetuates the harmful ideologies in psychology that are rooted in whiteness, capitalism, and dehumanization. Therefore, Nyx draws upon queer, intersectional feminist, humanistic, multicultural, trauma-informed, decolonized, sex/body positive, and anti-oppressive theories to foster an egalitarian and collaborative relationship. Nyx has extensive experience working with queer and straight clients, couples, and groups surrounding exploring sexuality/gender, kinks, consensual non-monogamy, and polyamory. Fae also have experience providing clinical documentation in support for gender affirming care for transgender and gender expansive individuals. Listening, validation, curiosity, challenging, and accountability are important features of Nyx's approach to their work with their clients. Through consultation, Nyx seeks to amplify the messages and teachings of Queer, TGNC, & BIPOC to create affirming practices/policies with group presentations and professional development training. As a supervisor, they aim to assist my supervisees and colleagues with developing culturally responsive approaches to therapy. Nyx collaborates with their client’s to (re)claim their authentic self through a process of creativity, playfulness, compassion, somatic/imagination exercises, and critical reflection. Nyx is a proud cancer survivor, who provides one-on-one mentorship through the Imerman Angels organization. Fae has been a lifelong advocate and accomplice for dismantling oppressive systems, through which they are actively engaged in Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion initiatives for two organizations: Montefiore Medical Center and Point Park University. Nyx has lived experience with and continues to engage in their own therapeutic healing surrounding trauma, abuse, sex work, their own gender and sexual identities, and the loss of their brother. Nyx has personally experienced the benefits of individual, couples, and group therapy both as a clinician and as a client. Engaging in their own daily practices of journaling, meditation, and gratitude reflections, Nyx has come to cultivate a sense of clarity, awareness, and self-love which inspires them to share with their clients as well. Honesty, transparency, and authenticity are important traits Nyx brings into their therapeutic spaces as well as the brave spaces into which fae has the privilege of being invited. They are humbled to have the opportunity to be here today to share both their lived experience as a gender expansive client and affirming provider.