Dr. Wendy Whinnery , LMHC

Dr. Wendy Whinnery is a licensed mental health counselor in New York with ten years of clinical experience. She holds the LMHC credential - Licensed Mental Health Counselor - and has completed graduate training with a Master of Science in Mental Health Counseling from Capella University as well as a PhD in Counselor Education and Supervision with a specialization in trauma and crisis from Walden University. In addition to these degrees she is a nationally certified counselor, a certified clinical mental health counselor, a certified clinical trauma professional, a credentialed grief specialist, and an approved clinical supervisor.

As a military spouse of a combat veteran, she brings deep familiarity with military and family dynamics, having served as a Family Readiness Group Leader for seven years and as a Battalion leader for three. She provides a broad range of counseling for conditions such as stress, anxiety, depression, bipolar disorder, trauma and abuse, grief, addictions, eating concerns, anger, ADHD, parenting challenges, relationship and LGBT issues, compassion fatigue, and coping with life changes. Additional focus areas include gender dysphoria, veteran and armed forces issues, personality disorders, and sexual dysfunction.

Her preferred orientation is person-centered, and she integrates evidence-based methods such as cognitive behavioral, solution-focused, reality, and REBT techniques as needed. She emphasizes warmth, genuineness, and unconditional positive regard, believing that each person is the expert on their life and benefits from practical tools that support change. She seeks to create a warm, empathic environment in which clients can begin to explore goals and make progress, and she welcomes the opportunity to support that work.

How Dr. Whinnery’s Approaches Translate to Online Care

Client-Centered Therapy focuses on creating an accepting, collaborative relationship in which the therapist follows the client's lead and cultivates empathy, warmth, and respect - an approach that helps people working through identity, relationship, or grief issues feel heard and validated. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) targets unhelpful thoughts and behaviors with practical strategies and structured exercises; it is commonly used for anxiety, depression, stress, and many mood-related concerns. Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) emphasizes skills for regulating emotion, tolerating distress, and improving interpersonal effectiveness, which can be especially useful for clients managing intense emotions, impulsivity, or relationship challenges.

Choosing the right approach is a collaborative process. Dr. Whinnery works with clients to identify goals, preferences, and needs, and she combines or adjusts methods so the therapeutic plan fits each person. That collaboration helps set clear, achievable steps for change.

Online sessions via video, phone, live chat, or text-based messaging make it easier to fit therapy into busy schedules and to connect from different locations. These options increase flexibility for appointments, allow for varied communication styles, and help clients access consistent support in ways that fit their daily life.