LCSW, 9 years of experience
I’m a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (PA & WV) with 9 years of experience in outpatient mental health. I specialize in supporting individuals — both adolescents and adults — navigating the aftermath of trauma, loss, adoption/foster care challenges, grief, anxiety, and depression. With children and teens, I am certified in Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TF‑CBT), integrating trauma‑informed strategies tailored to younger clients. With adults, I use trauma-informed interventions alongside cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), adapting my approach to each person’s unique story, strengths, and pace. Being adopted myself has deeply shaped my passion for adoption and foster care work — not just as a professional interest, but from lived experience. I understand the layers of identity, connection, loss, and belonging that come with these journeys, and I bring that insight to my practice with empathy and sensitivity. I also maintain ongoing training in areas such as grief work, anxiety, depression, and relational dynamics to ensure I’m bringing current practices to our work.
Our first session will be an opportunity to share your story and what brings you to therapy — what feels difficult now, what you hope will change. From there, we’ll co-create a tailored plan rooted in your needs, values, and pace. I draw from evidence-based methods (CBT, trauma‑focused work) but never apply a one-size-fits-all approach — therapy is yours, not mine. You’ll be invited to move at the pace you can tolerate, with the option to revisit or adjust goals as things evolve.
As a provider I feel I am able to connect on many different levels with my clients since I come from a very unique upbringing with many obstacles that I had to overcome. I am able to find strengths in people that they may not have known they had. I work with the client at their own pace while also being able to give them the extra motivation to make changes needed to thrive.
The last 9 years I have been fortunate to work with a wide range of clients from young children to older adults. I believe that a therapeutic alliance is achieved when clients are motivated and receptive to making changes.
I have been using Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) with clients to help empower them to develop healthier thinking patterns and coping mechanisms through CBT techniques. Helping clients with understanding how their thoughts, feelings and behaviors are all connected is beneficial in the therapeutic process.
I have been certified for 6 years in Trauma Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT) for children and adolescents. I use TF-CBT to help with processing traumatic experiences and overcome challenges.
I am a true believer that everyone has their own unique strengths. I work with each client to help them discover their strength and educate on ways to implement these strengths and other skills into their everyday lives.
1 rating with written reviews
August 1, 2025
Melissa was able to give me some ideas about the next steps to take to feel that I can move forward.