Grief counselors and therapists in Hagerstown, MD

As board certified Psychiatry Nurse Practitioner, I believe prioritizing mental health is key to happiness and stability in life. Seeking help can be one of the hardest parts, so congratulations on taking the first step. I have been practicing for 2 years focusing on adults age 18-100 who are struggling with Anxiety and depression.

Are you feeling anxious, stuck in old patterns, or unsure of where you belong in this complex world? Struggling to balance work and personal life? Maybe you’re navigating grief, a major life change, or carrying a sense of disconnection from yourself and those around you. You may also be trying to understand which parts of you feel genuinely your own and which have been shaped by family, culture, expectations, or experiences you have carried for a long time. If so, you don’t have to go through it alone.

With over a decade of clinical experience and backgrounds in International Disaster Psychology and Human Rights and Humanitarian Law, I bring a broad understanding of how our inner lives are shaped by more than symptoms alone. I am especially interested in the intersections of identity, culture, relationships, life experiences, and the larger environments we move through.

Therapy with me is warm, curious, and conversational. I want you to feel like you can bring your whole self into the room, including the parts that feel complicated, contradictory, difficult to name, or still in the process of becoming. Whether you are exploring cultural, racial, ethnic, spiritual, professional, relational, or personal parts of yourself, we can make space for your history while helping you understand who you are now and what you want your life to look like moving forward.

I’m a licensed clinical social worker (LCSW-C) with over five years of experience helping adults manage anxiety, ADHD, substance use, and relationship stress. My approach is practical and collaborative—I help you find real steps that make life feel steadier and more manageable. Before becoming a therapist, I worked in roles that taught me what real stress looks like, which helps me stay grounded and relatable in the room.

Hi, I’m Melanie. I’m a therapist, writer, and educator with a passion for helping Christian women move beyond anxiety, trauma, and overwhelming life experiences so they can live with greater peace and clarity. Many of the women I work with are thoughtful, faith-centered individuals who feel exhausted from trying to hold everything together while quietly carrying stress, worry, or past pain.

I earned a Doctor of Education in Community Care and Counseling with a trauma focus, along with a Master’s degree in Psychology and Counseling. My work is informed by trauma-informed care, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, and mindfulness practices. For clients who desire it, I also integrate faith and spirituality into the healing process.

My approach is warm, thoughtful, and grounded. I believe therapy should feel like an OASIS — Open And Safe InSide— a place where you can slow down, be honest about what you’re carrying, and begin rebuilding a sense of peace, confidence, and direction.

Outside of therapy, I’m a writer, poet, and speaker who enjoys quiet moments with coffee, popcorn, and the occasional antique shop. Creativity, humor, and reflection are meaningful parts of my life and often influence the way I help clients explore their own stories.