Andre Vilarinho, LMFT

Andre Vilarinho is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT) based in New York who provides virtual therapy in New York and Connecticut. He works with individuals, couples, and families on a range of concerns including anxiety, relationship and family conflicts, trauma, addictions, parenting challenges, motivation, and self-esteem. His background includes work in community mental health, group practices, and both non-profit and for-profit organizations, giving him experience across diverse clinical settings.

Andre centers his work on how people feel, think, and behave within their relationships — including the relationship a person has with themself. He brings a casual, relaxed, and thoughtful style to sessions, balancing directness with a light demeanor and optimism about clients reaching their potential. He aims to build a trusting therapeutic relationship that offers both support and challenge when appropriate.

His approach draws from evidence-based models such as Structural Family Therapy, cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), dialectical behavior therapy (DBT), and humanistic frameworks. Andre emphasizes meeting clients where they are and collaboratively developing a plan tailored to their goals, whether that means improving daily functioning or pursuing deeper personal growth. He welcomes clients ready to engage in the effortful work of change and offers support throughout that journey.

Evidence-Based Approaches Delivered Online

Andre integrates a few well-established techniques into his practice. Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) focuses on identifying and shifting unhelpful thoughts and behaviors to reduce symptoms like anxiety and depression and to improve daily functioning. Dialectical behavior therapy (DBT) teaches practical skills for managing intense emotions, improving distress tolerance, and strengthening interpersonal effectiveness, which can be especially helpful for clients struggling with regulation and relationship challenges. Structural Family Therapy examines patterns and roles within family systems to improve communication and resolve conflict, making it useful for families and couples facing relational strain.

Finding the right approach is part of the therapeutic process. Andre works collaboratively with clients to explore these methods and tailor a plan based on each person’s needs, goals, and preferences. He aims to adapt techniques so they fit the client rather than forcing a rigid model.

Online therapy through video calls, phone sessions, live chat, or text-based messaging offers flexibility for people with busy schedules or limited local options. Licensed professionals can use these formats to maintain continuity of care, provide timely support, and make it easier to attend sessions from different locations, helping clients engage consistently in the work of therapy.