(she/her)
I bring 16 years of experience in counseling within the areas of mental health and drug and alcohol treatment, working primarily with teenagers and adults. Throughout my career, I have focused on helping clients identify meaningful goals, strengthen coping skills, and increase self-care. I have completed extensive professional training, including Choice Theory, Child Management, Addiction Counseling, PTSD, DSM-IV, group and individual counseling, crisis and addiction management, and Trauma-Focused CBT. In addition, I am a certified EMDR therapist, using evidence-based approaches to support healing, resilience, and lasting change.
In our first session, we’ll focus on getting to know each other and creating a safe, supportive space for you. I’ll ask about your background, current challenges, and goals for therapy, and we’ll discuss what you hope to achieve in our work together. This is also a time to ask questions, learn about my approach, and explore which strategies—such as CBT, EMDR, or Reality Therapy—might be helpful for you. By the end of the session, we’ll have a clearer understanding of your needs and a plan for moving forward together.
I bring compassion, patience, and a collaborative approach to every session, creating a safe space where clients feel heard and supported. I am skilled at helping clients identify meaningful goals, develop practical coping strategies, and navigate challenging emotions. With extensive experience in mental health and substance use counseling, as well as training in approaches like CBT, EMDR, Reality Therapy, and Trauma-Focused CBT, I can tailor interventions to each client’s unique needs. My greatest strength is guiding clients toward lasting change and increased resilience, while empowering them to take an active role in their own growth.
My ideal clients are teenagers and adults who are ready to make positive changes in their lives, even if they’re not quite sure where to begin. I enjoy working with individuals who may be struggling with anxiety, depression, trauma, or substance use, as well as those who feel “stuck” and want guidance in identifying goals, building healthier coping skills, and improving self-care. I especially value working with clients who are open to exploring new perspectives and approaches in a supportive, nonjudgmental space.
Other specialties
I identify as
Cash - $60 per session
Aetna
Aetna - Allied Benefits
Aetna - ASR Health Benefits
Aetna - Luminare
Aetna - Medicare
Aetna - Moda
Aetna - WebTPA
Aetna – HealthEZ
All Savers
Ambetter Health
Amerihealth
Amerihealth Administrators
Amerihealth NJ Medicare Advantage
Arlo
AvMed
Blue Cross Blue Shield
Blue Cross Blue Shield - Medicare
Capital Blue Cross
Capital Blue Cross - Medicare
Centivo
Cigna
Cigna - HealthEZ
EAP:Cigna
EAP:Evernorth
EAP:UnitedHealthcare/Optum
Evernorth
Golden Rule
GTEB
Harvard Pilgrim/UnitedHealthcare
Highmark
Highmark - Medicare
Humana - Medicare
Humana Dual (Medicare & Medicaid)
Independence Administrators
Independence Blue Cross
Independence Keystone 65 HMO
Independence Personal Choice 65 PPO
Kaiser Permanente
Medicare
Optum
OptumHealth Complex Medical Conditions
Oscar
Oxford
Surest (formerly Bind)
Tufts Health/Cigna
United Medical Resources
UnitedHealthcare Complete Care (C-SNP)
UnitedHealthcare Dual (Medicare & Medicaid)
UnitedHealthcare Life Insurance
UnitedHealthcare Shared Services
UnitedHealthcare StudentResources
UnitedHealthcare/Optum
UnitedHealthcare/Optum - Medicare
UPMC Health Plan
UPMC Health Plan - Medicare
Reality Therapy
I incorporate Reality Therapy into my work by helping clients focus on the choices they make and how those choices can bring them closer to the life they want. This approach encourages self-awareness, accountability, and practical steps toward building healthier relationships and reaching personal goals.
Cognitive Behavioral (CBT)
I often use Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) in my work, which focuses on the connection between thoughts, feelings, and behaviors. CBT helps clients recognize unhelpful patterns and develop practical tools to manage challenges, reduce stress, and create lasting change.
EMDR
I am a licensed therapist with specialized training in Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR). I use EMDR to help clients process difficult experiences, reduce distress, and build healthier ways of moving forward. This approach is especially effective for trauma, anxiety, and other challenges that feel “stuck,” and I integrate it with other therapeutic methods to meet each client’s unique needs. I am a national certified EMDRIA therapist
1 rating with written reviews
September 24, 2025
Melissa is very genuine, asks relevant questions, and listens to be able to understand my past experiences. With her guidance, I'm able to see where it's influenced my current outlook. Looking forward to making sense of the pieces.