Licensed to practice in Virginia and accepts 12 insurances. Specializes in Addiction, First Responders/Healthcare Workers, Military/Veterans and 8 more.

Melody Sanders

(she/her)

LPC, 5 years of experience
No reviews yet

New to Grow

VirtualAvailable

About me

I believe healing begins when people feel truly seen, heard, and understood. My goal is to create a warm, supportive environment where you can explore life's challenges without fear of judgment while building the skills and confidence to move forward. I work with adults experiencing anxiety, depression, trauma, grief, relationship challenges, life transitions, and stress. My approach is trauma-informed, strengths-based, and tailored to your unique needs, drawing from evidence-based therapies such as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Solution-Focused Therapy, Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), and EMDR when appropriate. Whether you're feeling overwhelmed, stuck, or simply ready for change, I would be honored to walk alongside you as we work toward meaningful, lasting growth.

Get to know me

In our first session together, here's what you can expect

Your first session is an opportunity for us to get to know one another and begin building a strong therapeutic relationship. We'll talk about what brought you to therapy, the challenges you're currently facing, and the goals you'd like to accomplish. I'll also ask questions about your personal history so I can better understand your experiences and what has shaped your journey. This session is collaborative—not an interrogation. You are welcome to share at your own pace, ask questions, and let me know what feels most important to you. Together, we'll begin developing a plan that reflects your strengths, values, and goals while creating a safe foundation for meaningful change.

The biggest strengths that I bring into our sessions

I believe one of the strongest predictors of successful therapy is the relationship between counselor and client. That's why I prioritize creating a space where you feel safe, respected, and genuinely understood. Clients often describe me as warm, compassionate, and easy to talk to. While I provide empathy and support, I also believe growth requires honesty. When needed, I will gently challenge unhelpful patterns, encourage new perspectives, and help you develop practical skills that support lasting change. I don't simply tell clients what they want to hear—I partner with them to discover what will help them move forward. My approach balances validation with accountability because I believe both are essential for healing. You can expect a therapist who will listen deeply, celebrate your progress, and CAREfront you with kindness and respect when growth calls for it. CAREfront: Compassionate confrontation—addressing challenging issues in a caring, supportive manner that encourages insight and positive change rather than criticism or shame.

Specialties

Top specialties

Addiction

Military/Veterans

Other specialties

Anxiety

Depression

Grief

Self Esteem

Identifies as

Serves ages

Licensed in

Location

Virtual

My treatment methods

EMDR

I use Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) to help clients process and heal from distressing experiences that may continue to affect their thoughts, emotions, and behaviors. EMDR is a structured, evidence-based therapy that helps the brain reprocess difficult memories so they become less emotionally overwhelming. Before beginning trauma processing, we focus on building trust, strengthening coping skills, and ensuring you feel safe and prepared. Every step of the process is collaborative, and we move at a pace that feels right for you.

New to Grow
This provider hasn’t received any written reviews yet. We started collecting written reviews January 1, 2025.