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I aim to create a safe, non-judgmental space for self-exploration, discovery, and healing. By utilizing unconditional positive acceptance, my goal is to help clients add to their social and emotional knowledge so they can navigate through difficulties in ways that foster self-esteem, well-being, and growth.

I’ve been helping people for over 20 years as a Licensed Clinical Social Worker, and I’m so proud of you for taking this important step toward caring for yourself. It’s not always easy, and it shows strength and courage.

Throughout my career, I’ve worked with individuals of all ages and backgrounds, addressing a wide range of challenges. My experience includes school settings, college multicultural affairs, outpatient drug and alcohol treatment, and mental health counseling.

I also spent nine years in a hospital setting, working in psychiatric emergency services and on adolescent and adult inpatient units. This gave me extensive experience in crisis intervention and in supporting people through both mild and severe mental health concerns. Today, I continue to work in outpatient mental health, helping clients navigate life’s challenges and build resilience.

My goal is to provide a safe, supportive space where you feel heard and understood. Together, we’ll work toward the changes you want to see in your life. I look forward to working with you.

Hi, I’m Melisa, a licensed mental health counselor passionate about helping individuals of all ages navigate life’s challenges. I specialize in working with children and adolescents, using play therapy to foster expression and healing, while also supporting adults with issues like anxiety, depression, and relationship struggles.

If you're seeking support in overcoming life’s challenges, I’d be honored to work with you.

What I want clients to know about me is that I am not the kind of therapist who will just sit back, nod, and ask, “How does that make you feel?” I am warm, honest, direct, and very involved in the work we do together.

My strongest area of work is relationship and family dynamics. I help individuals, couples, and families understand the patterns that create conflict, distance, resentment, poor communication, and emotional disconnection. Many of my clients come to me feeling unheard, disrespected, emotionally exhausted, or unsure of how to move forward in an important relationship.

I also work with people who grew up in difficult or dysfunctional family environments and are now recognizing how those experiences may still be affecting their boundaries, relationships, parenting, self-worth, and emotional responses. I help clients understand not only what is happening, but how the pattern developed and what they can begin doing differently.

I believe insight is important, but insight alone is not enough. I want therapy to help you connect the dots and develop practical ways to communicate, set boundaries, manage conflict, and respond differently. I will support you, but I will also challenge you when I believe you are minimizing your needs, repeating unhealthy patterns, or avoiding something important.

I am not here to judge you, label the people in your life, or tell you what decisions to make. My role is to help you see things more clearly, understand what is within your control, and feel more confident in how you choose to move forward.

In addition to relationship and family concerns, I also work with anxiety, ADHD, emotional overwhelm, life transitions, and the impact these challenges can have on everyday functioning and relationships.