Hello! I'm Melissa. Do you feel anxious or unhappy most days? Do you simply want someone to listen, understand, and help? I'm in recovery for alcohol use disorder and a combat veteran. I've had to learn coping skills or lose everything. I understand anxiety and depression. I specialize in helping individuals develop coping skills that can be used in real-time to alleviate negative moods and improve daily functioning. I can help you better understand the connections between your thoughts, feelings, and behaviors: "What makes you tick?" Together, we can identify negative thinking and reshape it in a way that changes how you feel. I can help you challenge negative thoughts and identify more helpful/realistic thoughts. This will help you better enjoy your life because you will view it more positively. We'll create long-term change with tools such as quick and easy mental exercises. I also integrate journaling, mindfulness exercises, and stress-reduction techniques to support positive outcomes. Together, we can identify healthy coping skills that actually work. You deserve a life that brings you contentment and joy. Let's work together on this journey of healing.
Our first session will focus on developing a relationship, answering questions, and discussing presenting concerns. I am committed to providing empathetic and personalized care to each client, tailoring treatment to address specific issues. I utilize an empathetic and collaborative approach to foster hope, insight, and resilience.
I became a therapist because I believed I could empathize and help people based on my past struggles with addiction and trauma. I genuinely care about people. When I was in need, social workers helped me. I want to pay it forward. One thing I wish all clients knew is that their self-talk can make or break them. Self-talk is powerful. Our brain is a computer, it believes what we tell it and responds accordingly. This can be a very good thing or a very bad thing. My niche is helping people gain control over their thoughts, feelings, and behaviors through various evidence-based exercises.
My experience with this modality was developed while practicing as an individual and group psychotherapist. I received direct clinical supervision on how to utilize CBT in practice. Today, I utilize CBT to assist clients with challenging unhealthy thinking.
My experience with this modality was developed while practicing as an individual psychotherapist and providing DBT-focused skill development and distress tolerance support.