Hi! I'm a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) with 6 years of experience. I specialize in working with children and adolescents (4-17 years old) and adults who present with concerns such as inattention, depression, anxiety, behavior problems, parenting challenges, interpersonal relationships, emotional dysregulation, trauma, and anger management. I have a previous history of working as a therapist providing services as an APEX school-based therapist. I received my Master’s in Clinical Mental Health from Mercer University. I utilize a variety of clinical approaches that are targeted to clients' needs including cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), playful activities, client-centered approaches, mindfulness-based methods, family therapy, and trauma-focused cognitive behavioral therapy (TF-CBT). My approach to therapy is rooted in authenticity and my goal is to assist each client to ensure they can achieve success, in their mental health recovery. I believe with support, perseverance, and a positive mindset, change is possible which creates the ability to overcome life’s challenges.
What can clients expect to take away from sessions with you?
We'll have begin by building rapport, generally I start off with an icebreaker activity to allow the client feel more comfortable and then start addressing what the client may want to discuss.
Explain to clients what areas you feel are your biggest strengths.
I am intentional, detailed oriented, actively listening to your needs and make every effort within reason to support as best as I can (whether that means providing resources, meeting your needs at the moment, etc.), resilient, optimistic, and patient.
Describe the client(s) you are best positioned to serve.
Since I work with a range of clients (children, adolescents, and adults) I partner well with those clients who are willing to show up and do the work as the therapeutic alliance is built on this principle. This means showing up willing to engage and trust the process knowing that while the journey of therapy may be a bit bumpy at times, the outcome will more beneficial and rewarding for personal growth.
About Melissa Bradford
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VirtualMy treatment methods
Cognitive Behavioral (CBT)
In my several years of practicing therapy, CBT is one of my most common approaches because the way we think about specific things does impact our feelings, which essentially has an impact on our behaviors and how we will respond.
Family Therapy
In working with children and adolescents it is inevitable to not work with the key element which is the family. Each member plays an important role and there is something to explore at each level to help improve communication, boundary setting, attunement, and overall the way the family operates within itself.
Person-centered (Rogerian)
Throughout my years of working with clients, being able to show unconditional positive regard, allowing the client to develop a sense of self-awareness has been an amazing development in the therapeutic alliance.
Psychoeducation
During sessions my goal is to provide knowledge and hopefully a better understanding of mental health disorders for clients when needed, to provide skills and strategies helping clients to better manage symptoms.
Trauma Informed Care
When working with clients who've experienced traumatic experiences it is very important to provide a space that offers: safety, trust, collaboration, and empowerment. These core principles alongside the trauma recovery model helps clients rediscover their voice and inner strength.