Licensed to practice in North Carolina and accepts 11 insurances. Specializes in Addiction, Anxiety, Depression and 5 more.
(she/her)
New to Grow
Hi there, I’m Melissa. If life feels heavy right now, you’re in the right place. When you’re feeling stuck, overwhelmed, or just tired of carrying everything by yourself, it can be tough to know where to start. I work with adults navigating anxiety, depression, substance use, and other challenges who are looking for meaningful, sustainable change and a greater sense of balance in their lives. As a Licensed Clinical Social Worker, my style is collaborative, compassionate, and centered on practical tools you can actually use. I take a whole‑person approach to therapy, which means we may explore how different parts of your life—physical, emotional, social, environmental, and spiritual—are shaping your overall well‑being. My goal is to create a space where you can show up honestly and without judgment as we explore the patterns that may be keeping you stuck and build healthier ways of coping and relating to your thoughts and emotions. You don’t have to navigate all of this on your own. If you’re ready for support and a space to feel heard, I’m here to help you take the next step.
In our first session, my goal is to create a space where you feel comfortable, supported, and able to show up as yourself. We’ll spend time getting to know each other, exploring what brings you to therapy, and talking about what you hope to gain from the process. We’ll also look at what’s currently feeling difficult, what may not be working anymore, and the strengths or supports already present in your life. You don’t need to have everything figured out before starting. The first session is simply a place to begin, ask questions, and start building a plan that feels meaningful and manageable for you.
I strive to create a therapy experience that feels both compassionate and practical, where you feel genuinely supported, understood, and safe enough to show up honestly—without fear of judgment or shame. I take a collaborative, whole-person approach and tailor therapy to your individual needs, strengths, and goals rather than relying on a one-size-fits-all model.
I’m best positioned to work with adults who are feeling stuck, overwhelmed, or unsure of how to move forward in their lives. This often includes people navigating anxiety, depression, or substance use and co-occurring concerns who are looking for meaningful, practical change. Many are motivated for growth but also feel ambivalent, self-critical, or exhausted from trying to manage things alone. In our work together, I draw from ACT, CBT, compassion-focused, strengths-based, and Motivational Interviewing approaches to help you build practical coping tools, shift unhelpful patterns, and relate differently to difficult thoughts and emotions. I also focus on helping you reconnect with your values and strengths so that change feels more manageable, sustainable, and aligned with the life you want to build.
Other specialties
I identify as
Acceptance and commitment (ACT)
With Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), I’ll help you learn how to make space for difficult thoughts and emotions without letting them completely take over your life. Together, we’ll focus on staying grounded in the present moment, connecting with what matters most to you, and taking meaningful steps toward the life you want to build.
Cognitive Behavioral (CBT)
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) helps you better understand how your thoughts, feelings, and behaviors all influence each other. I’ll work with you to identify patterns that may be keeping you stuck, build healthier coping skills, and find practical strategies that feel realistic and helpful in your day-to-day life.
Compassion Focused
I use a compassion-focused approach to help you quiet self-criticism and treat yourself with more kindness and understanding. Therapy can be a space where you learn to feel safer with your emotions, build self-compassion, and move away from shame and harsh self-judgment.
Motivational Interviewing
Change can feel complicated, especially when part of you wants things to be different while another part feels unsure or overwhelmed. Using Motivational Interviewing, I’ll help you explore those mixed feelings without pressure or judgment so you can connect with your own reasons for change and move at a pace that feels right for you.
Strength-Based
I believe you already have strengths, resilience, and valuable life experiences that can support your growth, even if it doesn’t always feel that way. In our work together, I’ll help you recognize those strengths and build on them to create lasting change and confidence in yourself.