Message to clients

My goal is that my clients feel a good connection, can be open and honest, and feel that they get real usable skills to utilize between sessions. I want clients to feel therapy is helpful not only a place to unload. My one request to clients is that you come with an open mind and a desire to take steps to create real sustainable change.

It is important that people don't settle for a therapist- if it doesn't work after the first, second, or even the 10th session- be your own best advocate and keep searching! I promise the therapist won't be offended- as therapists we want our clients to get better, not to keep them on our caseloads forever!

I cannot wait to get to know you and see you grow! Welcome to therapy and to our work together!

Melissa is a licensed LCSW-S/LCSW/LICSW/LICSW-CP in TX, FL, CA, ME, NJ, VA, WV, MA, SC, CO, NV, VT & Washington DC.

She takes a strengths-based perspective when she works with clients, emphasizing the role that each client’s unique strengths can play when it comes to growing mental health.

Melissa is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker located in Fort Worth, TX. Melissa aims to give her clients the perspective and the tools they need to grow their mental health. By giving them these tools, clients can continue their journeys outside of the session. Many of Melissa’s clients suffer from the impacts of anxiety, depression, and the aftereffects of trauma. Often, individuals who have experienced trauma will have difficulty connecting with others, sleeping at night, managing their emotions, and more. This can sometimes lead to substance abuse or toxic relationship dynamics.

Melissa’s approach to therapy draws from many different evidence-based therapy modalities, including Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT), Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT), and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT). She teaches clients techniques to decrease instances of becoming overwhelmed by their emotions, including deep breathing, distraction, and reflection. Clients also learn how to assess their thoughts for assumptions and cognitive distortions, which can lead to distressing emotions. She does this in a trauma-informed way, making sure that all clients feel safe during their sessions.

Melissa earned her Master’s degree in Social Work from the University of Southern Maine. She is a Certified Clinical Anxiety Treatment Professional, a Clinical Telemental Health Provider, and a Certified Clinical Trauma Professional Level II. 

Specialties

Anxiety - Coping with excessive worry, nervousness, or stress; intense discomfort in social settings (social anxiety); sudden and intense feelings of panic (panic disorder)

Depression - Providing support and promoting healing of hopelessness, low motivation and energy, sadness, irritability, sleep disturbance, and loss of interest and pleasure in life

Infertility counseling - Understanding infertility interventions and solutions; support during decision-making processes; coping with fertility problems and pregnancy loss

Post-traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) - Healing painful experiences and memories from the past using Cognitive Processing Therapy

Relationship issues - Understanding one’s wants and needs in relationships; exploring patterns of interaction, addressing concerns, and strengthening satisfaction in relationships and dating

Mood disorders - Clinical depression, persistent depression, bipolar disorder, and other mood disorders that cause disturbances in the client's mood, causing mood swings, restless sleep, and/or elevated mood