(sie/hir)
New to Grow
Hello, my name is Melissa Lehrich, and I am a Licensed Clinical Social Worker. I have a deep admiration for those who seek healing and strive to create a more meaningful life. My work focuses on helping individuals find peace within themselves while building awareness of their inner strengths. Together, we will navigate challenges, foster growth, and enhance your overall quality of life so you can move toward where you want to be. I incorporate a range of evidence-based approaches, including EMDR, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Mindfulness, Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), Internal Family Systems (IFS), and the Adult Chair model.
In your first session, you can expect a supportive and welcoming space where we begin getting to know one another. I will ask questions about your current concerns, personal history, and what has brought you to therapy, while also giving you the opportunity to share at your own pace. We will talk about your goals and what you hope to gain from our work together, and I will explain how I approach treatment and answer any questions you may have. This initial session is about building comfort and trust, and setting a foundation for the work we will do together moving forward.
What stands out about my therapeutic approach is my ability to thoughtfully support clients through a wide range of life experiences, including trauma, depression, anxiety, aging, chronic illness, caregiving, family conflict, and grief. I use an integrative, client-centered approach that combines evidence-based methods such as EMDR, CBT, DBT, Mindfulness, IFS, and the Adult Chair model, allowing me to tailor our work to your unique needs and experiences. I focus on helping you process difficult emotions, heal from past and present challenges, and build practical tools to navigate daily life with more ease and resilience. Whether you are coping with loss, managing ongoing stress, or working through complex family dynamics, our work together will emphasize self-awareness, emotional balance, and reconnecting with your inner strengths. Clients often experience a greater sense of clarity, improved coping, and a more grounded, compassionate relationship with themselves.
I am best positioned to serve individuals who are motivated to engage in personal growth and healing, and who are open to exploring both their inner experiences and patterns in their lives. My ideal clients may be navigating challenges such as trauma, anxiety, depression, grief, caregiving stress, family conflict, chronic illness, or the transitions that come with aging. I work well with clients who are ready to take an active role in therapy—those seeking insight, practical coping tools, and emotional resilience. Whether your goal is to process past wounds, reduce distress, improve relationships, or increase self-awareness, I provide a compassionate, strengths-based approach tailored to your needs. Together, we focus on helping you build peace, clarity, and a greater sense of empowerment in your life.
Cognitive Behavioral (CBT)
I use Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) to help clients better understand the connection between their thoughts, emotions, and behaviors. This approach is especially effective for concerns such as anxiety, depression, and stress, as it provides practical tools to identify and shift unhelpful thinking patterns. In my work, I collaborate with you to recognize negative or distorted thoughts and gently challenge them, replacing them with more balanced and realistic perspectives. We also focus on developing healthy coping strategies and behavioral changes that support your goals and improve your daily functioning. I integrate CBT with other approaches I use, tailoring the work to your individual needs. Clients often find that CBT empowers them with skills they can apply in everyday situations, leading to increased self-awareness, improved mood, and a greater sense of control over their lives.
EMDR
As an EMDR-trained therapist, I use this evidence-based approach to help clients process and heal from distressing or traumatic experiences that may feel “stuck.” EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) works by helping the brain reprocess difficult memories so they become less overwhelming and more integrated into your overall life experience. In my approach, I prioritize creating a safe, supportive environment and move at a pace that feels comfortable for you. We begin by building coping skills and emotional resources before processing any traumatic material. During EMDR sessions, I guide you through structured phases using bilateral stimulation (such as eye movements or tapping) to help your brain naturally process unresolved experiences. I integrate EMDR with other therapeutic modalities I use, ensuring that treatment is tailored to your unique needs. Clients often find that EMDR helps reduce the emotional intensity of past experiences, shift negative beliefs, and create a greater sense of calm, clarity, and empowerment in their daily lives.
Dialectical Behavior (DBT)
I incorporate Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) into my work to help clients build practical skills for managing intense emotions, improving relationships, and increasing overall stability. DBT is especially helpful for individuals experiencing anxiety, depression, overwhelm, or difficulty regulating emotions. My approach focuses on teaching and applying core DBT skills, including mindfulness, distress tolerance, emotion regulation, and interpersonal effectiveness. I work collaboratively with you to identify patterns that may be keeping you stuck, while also validating your experiences and helping you create meaningful change. I integrate DBT with other therapeutic approaches to ensure our work is personalized and relevant to your life. Clients often find that DBT provides them with concrete tools they can use right away—helping them feel more in control, respond rather than react, and navigate challenges with greater confidence and balance.
Couples Counseling
n my work with couples, I focus on creating a safe and supportive environment where both partners feel heard and understood. My approach combines evidence-based techniques with practical communication strategies to help couples navigate conflict, rebuild trust, and strengthen their connection. I work with couples to identify patterns that may be causing tension, improve emotional attunement, and develop tools for healthy problem-solving. By integrating methods from CBT, mindfulness, and emotionally focused approaches, I help couples deepen their understanding of one another and create lasting positive changes. Clients often report improved communication, greater empathy, and a renewed sense of partnership as a result of our work together.
Internal Family Systems (IFS)
I use Internal Family Systems (IFS) therapy to help clients explore and understand the different “parts” of themselves that influence thoughts, emotions, and behaviors. This approach is particularly effective for addressing trauma, internal conflict, anxiety, depression, and self-critical patterns. My approach emphasizes creating a safe, compassionate space where you can connect with your internal system and learn to listen to and care for all your parts. Together, we work to identify protective parts, understand their roles, and gently access the core Self, which has the capacity to lead with clarity, calm, and confidence. Clients often find that IFS fosters self-awareness, self-compassion, and inner harmony, allowing them to navigate life with greater balance and resilience.