Kimberly Melf
My name is Kimberly and I'm a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) therapist. I have a passion for helping others reach their own unique goals through the therapeutic process! I have over 15 years of experience working with individuals from diverse backgrounds. My experience includes counseling in various settings including outpatient and inpatient care, in-home, and Telehealth. My main areas of focus include anxiety, mild to moderate depression, relationships, life changes, stress, chronic illness, and grief. My education, experience, and training has helped me to develop a broad skill set. My goals as a therapist are to never stop learning and to help my clients become the best version of themselves. Individuals who seek therapy deserve to work with someone who is empathetic, objective, and supportive. I provide a safe environment for you to openly share feelings and concerns without judgement as we begin the collaboration process, where we will work together to identify solutions for positive change. I will help you set goals for change that best suit your current situation and needs. I believe that you are the expert in your own life, and that you possess the internal resources to make the desired change. My holistic focus includes assisting you in identifying your strengths, inner resources, goals, and values that will serve as a roadmap to making positive change toward your personal goals in several domains, which may include self-growth, relationships, work, spirituality, and more.
First session
In the first session, we will have the opportunity to get to know each other, and I will provide a non-judgmental space for you to share what motivated you to start therapy. As we start to identify your desired areas for change, I will help you explore initial goals based on areas that are of importance to you. There is no pressure to share everything at once, and it is completely normal to feel a bit nervous as you begin this process. My goal is to make you feel comfortable and heard.
Strengths
My biggest strengths are being a good, non-judgemental listener, and my ability to help clients to explore their inner resources, strengths, and values to make the positive change they feel is most important to them.
Ideal clients
The truth is that the most wonderful clients aren't the ones who have it all together. Far from it. The ideal mental health therapy client is simply someone who brings their whole, messy, beautiful humanity into the room. Showing up as you are, having a curiosity about yourself, leaning into the discomfort, coming to sessions regularly, and practicing grace between sessions are all great qualities of a therapy client. With regard to presenting concerns, I am uniquely qualified to assist those struggling with anxiety, mild to moderate depression, relationships, life changes, stress, chronic illness, and grief.
Treatment methods
Cognitive Behavioral (CBT)
I use this method to help clients explore the connection between thoughts, feelings, and behaviors. We will identify negative patterns, challenge thoughts, engage through behavioral activation, and build skills through practice and reasonable assignments.
Person-centered (Rogerian)
With this method, I focus on the therapeutic alliance, having unconditional positive regard toward my clients, showing empathy, genuineness, and engaging in active reflection.
Strength-Based
This is a collaborative approach where the focus is on your individual strengths, resilience, and resources rather than your problem areas or weaknesses. By utilizing this method, I operate on the belief that you possess the inner resources and strengths to overcome challenges, grow, and promote positive change.
Location
Virtual sessions