Welcome! My name is Melanie Kopano. I'm a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) based out of Pennsylvania. I received my Master's Degree from West Chester University, and I've been a therapist for the past 20 years. I'm a Christian and a counselor, and I love seeing how Biblical truths and clinical methodology work hand in hand to effect meaningful change. That said, I've worked with people in all seasons of life and from many different backgrounds in both secular and faith-based settings. I take great joy in seeing my clients find the direction, freedom, and/or healing they're seeking.
Our first session will give us a chance to get to know one another a bit. You get to fill me in on the all the reasons you're here, and together we'll develop a clinical plan to help you reach your goals. That way, we can keep the end goals in sight as we move through treatment. I also firmly believe that counseling is only effective if therapeutic trust and rapport grow organically between client and counselor. In other words, I have to be the right fit for you! As we begin working towards your treatment goals, the first few sessions will give you a sense of my therapeutic style and will allow you to ask any questions you might have as we begin this journey towards change and growth together.
My varied professional experiences over the past two decades have allowed me to develop a stocked therapeutic toolbox to help you navigate whatever challenges you may be facing. Much of my career has been spent supporting clients who have experienced significant trauma and feel trapped under the weight of anxiety, depression, and unhelpful coping strategies. Consequently, I've had a great deal of experience individualizing treatment to an person's unique story. My varied clinical skill set, empathetic approach to engagement, and individually tailored treatment plans can help you get where you want to go.
Our life stories can often feel complicated and difficult to manage. Every season of life is like a new chapter in our story, with new mountains and valleys to conquer. Depression, anxiety, trauma, addiction, or even just fear of the unknown can make crossing these mountains and valleys seem impossible. The good news is that it's not! Whether you're a teen trying to figure out how to manage relationships at home and at school, a young adult feeling the pressures of a frantic pace of life, an individual caught in the chaotic cycles of mental health and addiction, a mom or dad in the throws of parenting, or an empty-nester unsure of what the future holds, we can all use some support and practical guidance from time to time. Your session is the safe place you've been craving - a place to explore your story, gain the tools to overcome whatever might be holding you hostage, and move confidently towards your future.
As a Christian and an experienced therapist, I've seen great success in melding Biblical principles and life-giving Truth along with time-tested, effective clinical tools while walking alongside clients who prefer faith-based treatment.
CBT is a fantastic modality for exploring the thought, feeling, and action dynamics often underlying symptoms at the core of struggles with depression and anxiety. I've found CBT to be especially effective when combined with other talk-based modalities exploring the how's and why's behind a client's struggles.
We all have a story that has shaped the person we are and the person we want to become. Narrative therapy allows for the exploration and telling of this story, while allowing for healing and future visioning.
Geared more towards children and adolescents, this modality allows for the development of a safe foundation for the healing from traumatic life events. I've found it especially useful when working with high-risk adolescent and pre-adolescent clients.
Counseling should never be one size fits all. An integrative approach to treatment planning, allows the therapist and the client to find the path to healing that is right for that particular client's story. I incorporate tools and techniques from a variety of clinical modalities, as they best fit each individual client.