I'm Melissa, a psychotherapist in private practice for eight years. I love working with adults and teens, and my approach to therapy is collaborative and whole life centered. Areas of specialty include ADHD, relationship issues, trauma, anxiety disorders, gender issues, and PTSD. I became a therapist because therapy changed me, and continues to empower me. I'm honored to help you process traumas or life's everyday stressors, support you in meeting goals we design together, and help you better love the one and only unique you. "The curious paradox is that when I accept myself just as I am, then I can change." - Dr. Carl Rogers My own ADHD diagnosis at age 30 was life altering, and continues to fuel my compassion for neurodivergent clients struggling to figure themselves out. I also love empowering clients to strengthen their relationships, have more empathy for themselves and others, and discover what calm contentment means to them and how to achieve it.
During our first session I'll ask about what brings you to counseling, but I'll also learn about the qualities, abilities, and values that make you uniquely you. Together we'll decide how I'll work with you in achieving your goals, whether those goals be learning to enforce better personal boundaries, processing complex traumas, or whatever you may be seeking support with.
Rogerian theory is at the root of my practice; Carl Rogers believed that unconditional positive regard would help his patients achieve congruence between their ideal self and real self, and this theory has been my guidepost. I operate from a strengths-based approach that seeks to increase self worth and empower individuals.
I work with adults and adolescents ages 12 and up. My areas of specialty include - Neurodivergence such as ADHD, including adult / late diagnosis - The teenage experience and navigating adolescence - Family strife such as issues with family of origin, marital concerns, parenting problems - LGTQIA supportive therapy as well as gender-affirming therapy
My approach is whole-life-informed psychotherapy, tailored to each individual's characteristics, goals, and needs.