LPC, 20 years of experience
New to Grow
I’m Melissa M. Williams, a Licensed Professional Counselor with 20 years of experience supporting adults healing from trauma, anxiety, grief, and stress. I provide a safe, compassionate, and nonjudgmental space where you can share your story, feel truly heard, and begin to make sense of what feels overwhelming. My goal is to help you build confidence, develop practical coping tools, and create lasting change that brings you closer to the life you want to live.
In our first session, I’ll take time to get to know you—your story, strengths, and what brings you to therapy. We’ll review the basics, then focus on what’s weighing on you most so you leave with a sense of direction and a clear starting point.
I bring a person-centered, trauma-informed approach that combines compassion with practical tools for everyday life. Clients often appreciate my ability to listen deeply, explain things in a way that clicks, and balance seriousness with warmth and ease, helping them feel supported while making meaningful progress.
I work best with adults who have lived through ongoing or painful experiences and feel anxious, overwhelmed, or stuck in patterns that no longer serve them. My clients often want to feel calmer, more confident, and more connected to themselves and others.
With 20 years of experience supporting survivors of abuse and complex trauma, I approach every session through a trauma-informed lens. This means creating a safe, supportive environment where clients feel seen, heard, and empowered. I help clients understand how trauma impacts their body, emotions, and relationships, while offering tools to reduce anxiety, build coping skills, and strengthen a sense of safety and control.
I integrate Compassion Focused Therapy by helping clients shift from self-criticism to self-kindness. Many people struggling with grief, low self-esteem, or trauma feel weighed down by shame or negative self-beliefs. I guide them in developing inner compassion as a way to regulate emotions, calm anxiety, and foster resilience. This approach supports deep healing while encouraging confidence and self-acceptance.
Polyvagal principles inform my work by helping clients recognize how their nervous system responds to stress and safety. I teach practical techniques for calming the body, such as grounding and breathwork, so clients can move from survival mode into connection and healing. This is especially helpful for those managing trauma, PTSD, and anxiety, as it allows them to regain a sense of balance and presence.