Book a therapist or psychiatrist in East Brunswick, NJ covered by Aetna

My practice focuses on psychopharmacology. With over thirty years experience in diagnosing and treating patients with medication to address various psychiatric conditions .

Past psychiatric training involved inpatient, outpatient and Partial Hospital Programs involving diagnosing and medically managing psychiatric issues.

I'm a licensed therapist with over 20 years in human services, and I've built my practice around one simple belief: you deserve care that's both structured and deeply compassionate. Taking this step to invest in your mental health already shows real courage, and I'm here to walk alongside you as you build emotional stability, develop coping tools, and move away from patterns that no longer serve you — toward a life that feels steady, fulfilling, and genuinely yours.

You're functioning, showing up, and handling what needs to be handled, but your mind and body rarely clock out.

You might be replaying a conversation hours after it ended, preparing for what could go wrong, adjusting to a loss everyone else seems to have moved on from, or keeping track of everyone else's needs while your own get pushed aside.

I'm Melissa Parrish, a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) providing online therapy for adults across New Jersey. I specialize in grief, anxiety, chronic stress, and working with parents, caregivers, neurodivergent adults, and first responders and their spouses.

That might mean helping a parent who's spent years advocating for their child, a caregiver managing appointments and medical uncertainty, or someone whose family life revolves around shift work and unpredictable schedules. Different circumstances, but often a similar experience: you've gotten very good at adapting, and it's taking more out of you than most people realize.

I hold specialized credentials in autism spectrum disorders (ASDCS), clinical trauma (CCTP), and grief counseling (CGP).

My work focuses on helping you move beyond just pushing through, so handling what life asks of you doesn't take everything you've got.

Teenagers and young adults deserve to feel accepted, understood, and heard. I specialize in helping high achievers who struggle with anxiety, overthinking, ADHD, and burnout. The relationships that I have with my clients are important to me and I believe that a therapeutic relationship can lead to healing, growth, and a fulfilling life. My style is open-minded, encouraging, and validating. Life can be overwhelming, and my goal is to make it feel a little bit easier- one step at a time.

I believe therapy works best when it feels like a genuine partnership. You can expect me to bring warmth, curiosity, and clear feedback to our work together. I’m not afraid to gently challenge patterns that may be holding you back, but always from a place of empathy and respect. My goal is to help you understand yourself more deeply and build the emotional skills needed to feel more grounded and in control of your life.

My journey began as a deeply personal quest for healing, shaped by significant challenges such as abandonment, neglect, and trauma. Overcoming hardships like poverty, familial substance abuse, and toxic relationships led me to a lifelong struggle with anxiety and feelings of isolation. In my search for relief, I explored countless self-help resources, pursued degrees in psychology, and experimented with therapeutic techniques, yet nothing seemed to offer lasting change.

Everything shifted for me about three years ago when I experienced a transformative moment that inspired the creation of the Blue Lotus Approach. This method has not only helped me heal but has also profoundly impacted my clients, guiding them toward self-awareness and resilience.

I am a Psychotherapist and Psychoanalyst with over 30 years of clinical, supervisory and administrative experience, licensed in the states of NY and NJ. I graduated from NYU School of Social Work with Master's Degree in Social Work, and NJ Institute for Psychoanalytic Studies with PsyA Degree. I provide individual therapy to adults and seniors, as well as I do consultations, coaching and clinical supervision.

I am a licensed professional counselor with over 30 years of clinical experience in both inpatient and out patient settings. You may feel stuck in patterns that you keep repeating , even when you know what you want to change. I focus on helping clients gain insight , build resilience and develop practical tools for everyday life. Together we will work to understand what is driving behaviors and find the way forward.

My love for Social Work comes from personal life experiences and wanting to help people see the beauty in life again.

I attended Lebanon Valley College and obtained my Bachelors in Psychology and then I graduated from Monmouth University with my Masters in Social Work. I have been in the field for 5 years and continue to expand my knowledge. I have experience with both mental health and addiction, spending the first part of my career in in-patient. I currently work full time for an Outpatient mental health and substance abuse clinic helping a very focused and specific population.

Everyone needs help sometimes, and I am here to listen.

I am passionate and empathetic and I believe in always giving that to my clients.

A big reason why I became a therapist is reflected in the quote: "Your vocation is where your deep gladness meets the world's deep need" (Frederick Buechner). I find tremendous joy in helping clients move toward healthier and more meaningful lives.