Anthony Freire LMHC-D

Anthony Freire, LMHC-D, NCC, CCMHC
Adjunct Professor, Department of Applied Psychology, NYU Steinhardt

Anthony Freire is a New York State Licensed Mental Health Counselor with diagnostic privilege (LMHC-D), National Certified Counselor (NCC), and Certified Clinical Mental Health Counselor (CCMHC). He is also a seasoned clinical supervisor, organizational consultant, and the Founder and Clinical Director of The Soho Center for Mental Health Counseling and Wellness in New York City.

Since 2018, Mr. Freire has served as an adjunct professor at NYU Steinhardt’s Department of Applied Psychology, where he teaches a range of graduate-level courses, including:

• Professional Orientation and Ethics in Counseling for Mental Health and Wellness
• Sexual Decision-Making and Risk Taking in Adolescents
• Group Dynamics: Theory and Practice
• Practicum in Counseling for Mental Health and Wellness
• Internship I, II, and III for Counseling for Mental Health and Wellness
• Advanced Lab in Counseling Skills: Mental Health

Mr. Freire earned both his B.A. in Psychology and M.A. in Mental Health Counseling and Wellness from New York University. He completed his clinical training in both inpatient and outpatient settings at Christ Hospital in Jersey City, NJ, followed by residency at the Institute for Community Living, where he worked with individuals experiencing severe and persistent mental illness (including psychosis and schizophrenia), often co-occurring with substance use disorders. His work was grounded in an understanding of the intersections of poverty, systemic racism, oppression, and social and criminal injustice.

In addition to his clinical training, Mr. Freire holds a Certificate in Advanced Clinical Practice from NYU’s School of Social Work, is certified in EMDR through EMDRIA, and has completed training in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) at the Beck Institute. He also trained in group relations under the mentorship of A.K. Rice Institute Fellows Dr. Mary McRae and Dr. Flora Taylor, and is a member of both the American Counseling Association and the New York Center for the Study of Groups.

His clinical and research interests include:

• The application of relational therapy and choice theory (reality therapy) to enhance clients' understanding of self and interpersonal dynamics
• EMDR for the treatment of complex PTSD, panic disorder, and agoraphobia
• Diversity and inclusion work, with a focus on cultural competency in organizational settings
• Mental Freedom techniques to help individuals release limiting beliefs and create space for personal growth

Mr. Freire is a regular contributor to publications such as The Huffington Post, The New York Times, and The New York Post on issues related to mental health. He also appears as an on-air psychological expert in Season 2 of Bad Bad Thing: The Blackstone Sisters, a podcast exploring the psychological impact of trauma and violence.  He recently appeared on an episode of  "Snapped" (Hulu) as himself also discussing The Blackstone Sisters.

He is the co-author of “Sexual Non-Minority & Sexual Minority Youth: Identity Development, Mental Health, and Risky Recreational Sex Behaviors,” published in Annals of Leisure & Recreation (2010).

Fun Fact: Before his career in mental health, Mr. Freire was an Emmy-nominated television producer. Between 1992 and 2002, he produced major national programs including The Maury Povich Show, The Sally Jessy Raphael Show, and The Queen Latifah Show.