Have you ever felt so overwhelmed with life’s challenges that it seems almost impossible to find calmness within the storm of your life? Do the waves of your worries seem to grow stronger crashing against the vessel of your mind and body? Is it becoming more difficult to hold onto the steers of chartering the course of your life? You’ve found the right place to dock your ship. Hi! I'm a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) in Georgia and Licensed Mental Health Counselor (LMHC) based in Florida. I earned my Masters from Brenau University and have been practicing for 10 years. I am also a Registered Play Therapist (RPT) and I am certified in Basic Accelerated Resolution Therapy (ART) which is an approach helpful for addressing trauma and other related concerns. I help adults navigate through life's uncharted challenges in a safe, nurturing, and self-empowering manner. Together, we will use the compass of our minds to navigate through the sea of your life. Welcome aboard and let’s sail together on a journey where through the winds and waves you’ll embark on a mission for change and acceptance.
What can clients expect to take away from sessions with you?
In our first session, we will start with brief introductions, review the flow and expectations of psychotherapy, followed by diving into the challenges that led you to seeking therapy-you can disclose as little or as much as you feel comfortable during this time. The first session is also an opportunity for us to determine if we are a good therapeutic match based on your presenting concerns. If we are a match and you'd like to continue for follow-up sessions, we will discuss setting goals specific to your needs.
Explain to clients what areas you feel are your biggest strengths.
Over the past 10 years, I developed a strength based approach to helping you (a) explore with curiosity the beginnings of your challenges, (b) identify internal and external resources that lead to change and acceptance, and (c) recognize the answers to your challenges are already within you.
Describe the client(s) you are best positioned to serve.
I enjoy working with clients who are ready to explore areas of their life such as their interpersonal relationships, work and career/educational goals, spiritual and physical health, and self-identity. My ideal clients are ready for change, motivated to learn tools needed to support their change, and are willing to deepen their understanding of the past and present challenges that hinder their paths to success.
About Melissa Lawrence
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VirtualMy treatment methods
Person-centered (Rogerian)
I believe that we all have within us what is needed to heal through our circumstances. Person-centered takes into account bringing an authentic self who is genuine, non-judgmental, and displays unconditional positive regard in the therapeutic space to help facilitate individual change and self-actualization. I use this approach as a guideline to establish rapport with empathy, support, while encouraging you to take the lead during sessions.
Adlerian
Through the lens of Adlerian therapy we will explore your lifestyle by understanding the purposefulness of behaviors and faulty assumptions that contribute to current circumstances. I incorporate this approach as a framework for understanding your past in order to make sense of the present, and plan for behavioral change in the future.
Trauma Informed Care
Trauma-informed care is a psychoeducational approach which builds on the principles of understanding safety (emotional/physical), trust, realization of the impact of trauma and its recovery, recognizing triggers, and resistance from retraumatization. I believe that if we can "name it to tame it" we can gain a deeper understanding of how to move towards healing and ongoing recovery.
Cognitive Behavioral (CBT)
Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is a type of psychotherapy that helps people manage problems by changing how they think and behave. It's a combination of cognitive therapy and behavior therapy, and is based on the idea that healthy thoughts lead to healthy feelings and behaviors. We will explore your core belief system that leads to emotions and unhealthy behaviors that interfere with creating a life worth living.