Welcome! I'm Melody Dascanio and I am a Licensed Professional Counselor. I hold a Masters of Science degree in Professional Counseling and I also happen to have a Bachelors of Music degree. I specialize in helping clients who have experienced domestic violence and narcissistic abuse (including those who experienced childhood abuse and/or the adult children of emotionally immature parents). I am licensed in the state of Pennsylvania and am certified as a Level II Certified Clinical Trauma Professional and a Certified Compassion Fatigue Professional. I have completed specialized post masters training in EMDR, Hypnotherapy, Pathological Love Relationship (Domestic Violence) and Narcissistic Abuse. In addition to seeing clients in a private setting, I serve full time as the Director of Therapy Services for a non-profit Domestic Violence Organization and I sit as a member of the Board of Directors for the national Association for NPD/Psychopathy Survivor Treatment, Education & Research. I am a frequent guest speaker at conferences, facilitating workshops on Trauma Informed Care, Domestic Violence, and Trauma Interventions; teaching other therapists how to promote better long term outcomes for their own clients. I believe that you are the expert of your story! You have many strengths that will assist you in overcoming challenges in your life. The role of therapy is to help you realize your own power and support you through your personal journey. I'm humbled by each and every person that allows me to be a part of their journey and look forward to working with you! In my free time, I enjoy taking care of my cats, dogs, parrots, and horses. In addition to a degree in psychology/counseling, I also have a degree in music and enjoy playing piano, clarinet, and violin. I am proud to be a bass clarinetist in the North Pittsburgh Symphonic Band and a Bb Clarinetist in the Musician's Concert Band. I also enjoy bluegrass music and have been a singer in my family's bluegrass band "Keep Off the Grass" for many years. My friends describe me as unique, humorous and quirky; all qualities that I am proud to incorporate into the way I provide therapy.
What can clients expect to take away from sessions with you?
Coming to therapy and starting a therapeutic relationship as a trauma survivor can be very scary!! A majority of relationships we experienced were toxic... so it's natural to be skeptic of new relationship. Unhealthy relationships are full of unpredictability, blame, confusion, and secrets. I strive to ensure that our time together embraces the exact opposite!! During our first meeting, we will spend time getting to know each other. I am happy to answer any questions and we will take things at a comfortable pace for you. We can discuss your personal goals and with your permission, we can complete some questionnaires about your early childhood years to discover what kind of "foundations" you experienced. You might leave with some book suggestions, some YouTube suggestions, or just some light journal prompts. Most importantly, you will leave with hope and understanding that there is nothing "wrong" with you. Most of our struggles and mental health "symptoms" are simply our body's defense mechanisms going too far. Together, we will find a way to get your body working "for you" again!! Mel Robbins once said "You are 100% not to blame for what has happened to you in your past, but you are 100% responsible for healing yourself and creating a new future". However, nobody ever said you have to do it alone. I am honored every time someone chooses me as their "partner in healing". In the words of actual clients: "Melody's knowledge and expertise is unparalleled in support, validation, trauma, and is a beacon of light in a growing field of trauma survivors and growth toward healing." "The support and expertise Melody gives people like me, domestic and narcissistic abuse survivors is like no other. She understands and validates all of my truths. She listens and offers solutions and coping skills no matter how tough it gets, with the roller coaster of healing. I can honestly say out of any therapy, I would not be where I am today without her guidance and professionalism and knowledge. It’s been paramount to my survival and well-being even when I felt like no one was listening, she always was. She makes you feel heard and understood while offering advice and guidance with every step of the way." "Melody is amazing. She is truly passionate and knowledgeable in her field. For the first time I feel understood, validated, and look to her often for solid advice and an honest ear to listen. I look forward to our sessions every week".
Explain to clients what areas you feel are your biggest strengths.
Alot of clients would likely say that my personality, visible passion for the work, and easy-to-understand analogies are among the reasons they like working with me. However, I believe that my experience, well roundedness, and in-depth understanding are the strengths I rely most as a provider. Despite narcissistic abuse and the aftermath of emotionally immature parenting being common (and becoming ever more visible), the pool of specializing therapists is low. It requires strong knowledge in the abuse cycle, pathology, personality science, human development, attachment trauma, and trauma treatment skills. This niche of therapy has become my passion and mission- not only providing direct treatment and therapy to clients, but also educating other professionals in how to more effectively treat their own clients using my own protocol I have named "HEART" (Healing Emotionally After Relationship Trauma". HEART encompasses psychoeducation, cognitive strategies, and somatic techniques to generate the best possible long term outcomes. HEART guides survivors through 4 predictable phases of therapy; Stabilization and Hope, Psychoeducation, trauma treatment/self-reparenting, and Living with Self-Love/Maintenance. The phases provide needed predictable structure while still allowing the flexibility for individual needs while we work together in resolving cognitive dissonance, trauma symptoms and positioning the survivor for a more fulfilling and enjoyable life.