My name is Cheri Burke, and I am a Pre-Licensed Mental Health Counselor. Counseling is my third career and one I intentionally worked toward once the timing was right. While raising six children over the past 30 years and building two successful careers, I earned my Bachelor’s degree in Psychology from Southern New Hampshire University in 2022, followed by my Master’s degree in Mental Health Counseling in 2025.
I have been practicing since October 2024 and work with individuals, couples, and families across a wide age range, from early adulthood through later life. I help clients explore who they want to be, identify what is standing in their way, and build realistic pathways forward. Common concerns I work with include anxiety, panic, trauma, anger, self-esteem, life transitions, relationship challenges, retirement adjustment, burnout, and peri and postpartum issues.
I believe communication is the cornerstone of a fulfilling life. Learning how to express needs responsibly and how to truly listen can be life-changing. This belief is central to my work with couples and families, where I address issues such as infidelity, control dynamics, work-life balance, and relational disconnection. My approach is informed by family systems theory, including the work of Virginia Satir.
Many of my clients are finished with surface-level conversations and overly cautious therapy. They come in feeling stuck, overwhelmed, or frustrated and ready for real tools and honest feedback. At Smithtown Therapy, I work with individuals, couples, and families who are prepared to face challenges directly and create meaningful, lasting change. I meet clients where they are with compassion, truth, and a focus on what actually works.
My approach integrates CBT, REBT, and person-centered care, helping clients challenge unhelpful thoughts and false beliefs while building on their existing strengths. Together, we cut through overwhelm, strengthen communication, and restore a sense of control and direction.
If you are feeling stuck, burned out, or ready for change, therapy with me offers honest conversation, genuine connection, and clear, practical steps forward. You deserve support that meets you where you are and helps you move toward where you want to be. I would be honored to work with you.