Hey there! I'm so glad you're here. My name is Dr. G, and I'm a licensed mental health professional. I wonder if you're going through a tough time right now. I know how hard things can be sometimes. Just remember that you have inherent worth and beauty as a human being. Even when life gets rocky, you deserve to feel fulfilled and lead a life you enjoy. If you ever need someone to talk to without judgment, I'm here to listen. I care about your well-being. We all need a little support sometimes. So don't be afraid to open up if you need to! I'm rooting for you, and I believe in your ability to get through this. You've got this!
In our first session together, we'll spend some time introducing ourselves and building rapport. I want you to feel comfortable with me, so please ask any questions you have! I'm here to support you. We'll also discuss the ground rules and boundaries for our sessions. Confidentiality is essential, so everything you share will stay between us. The only expectations are if I believe you're at risk of harming yourself or others. In that case, I have an ethical duty to ensure safety. It's normal to feel nervous before a first session. I'll check in to see how you're feeling and if you have any concerns. I aim to create a safe, non-judgmental space for us to talk openly. There's no need to dive into anything too deep before you're ready. We'll go at your pace. You've always got choices; you're always your best advocate.
I am a doer, I love a plan, an experiment, something try to see what happens. Movement and reframing are instrumental to mental health and wellness
Dr. Melissa Galica, Ph.D. offers therapy covered by Medicaid - Superior HealthPlan, Superior HealthPlan (Managed Medicaid) and UnitedHealthcare/Optum - Medicaid in Texas.
I trained extensively in CBT during my master's and Ph.D. programs and utilized it as a foundational treatment approach. I use cognitive restructuring, behavioral activation, exposure therapy, and skills training to help clients modify unhelpful thought and behavior patterns. CBT gives me concrete tools to help clients problem-solve
I sought additional training in DBT after recognizing its benefits for highly dysregulated clients. I use DBT skills like distress tolerance, emotion regulation, and mindfulness to equip clients to manage difficult emotions better and make progress on personal goals. DBT provides structure while empowering change.
Although CBT is my base, I incorporate experiential techniques like role plays, empty chair, and creative arts when clients are stuck or need greater emotional engagement. Experientials harness the power of action, metaphor, and creativity to produce insight.
All my work is trauma-informed, focusing on trustworthiness, collaboration, empowerment, and respecting defense mechanisms. I help clients make sense of symptoms as adaptations, build compassion for the wounded self, and gently develop emotional regulation skills. A trauma-informed lens shapes my interventions.