Hi, I am Melissa Smith. I am a Licensed Clinical Mental heath Counselor in the beautiful state of North Carolina. I have been practicing in the field for 7 years. I treat clients using a holistic approach that honors your uniqueness as an individual and considers all aspects of your being in the pursuit of greater health and well-being. I hope to provide practical skills for coping and be a listening ear through difficult times so you are better able to handle what life brings.
What can clients expect to take away from sessions with you?
In our first session together, we'll start with brief introductions, then dive into the specific challenges you're facing. This will help me create a tailored plan for us to work through in follow-up sessions.
Explain to clients what areas you feel are your biggest strengths.
As a therapist, one of my key strengths lies in my ability to focus on and leverage my clients' strengths while providing practical skills for coping with areas of difficulty. My approach as a therapist is grounded in compassion, collaboration, and a belief in your innate capacity for growth and resilience. By highlighting your strengths and providing practical skills, I strive to support you in overcoming obstacles and living a more fulfilling life.
About Melissa Smith
Appointments
Free consults, virtual
My treatment methods
Strength-Based
In my practice I utilize a Strength-based approach which will have more of a focus on your strengths, talents, and abilities and how you can use these to work on any weaknesses or problems. We'll shift focus to what's right and what's already working well in your life. This shift in perspective can help you see yourself and your situation in a more positive light. By recognizing and acknowledging your strengths, you'll likely start to feel more confident and capable. We'll then look at how your strengths can help you tackle these challenges more effectively.
Solution Focused Brief Treatment
Similar to Strength-Based Therapy I also utilized Solution-Focused Therapy (SFT) which is a goal-oriented approach that focuses on finding solutions rather than dwelling on problems. Here's how it works. With this approach we will work together to identify your goals and what you want to achieve. Whether it's improving relationships, managing stress, or overcoming challenges, we'll clarify what you hope to accomplish. In this approach we will also focus on finding solutions in the present and future. We'll explore times when you've already experienced success or moments when the problem wasn't as intense. We will work towards taking small, manageable steps towards your goals. We will also look at how you envision your life once your goals are achieved. This will be a collaborative process where you're viewed as the expert in your own life. I'll serve as a guide, asking questions and providing support as you explore solutions and work towards your goals.
Cognitive Behavioral (CBT)
I use Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) to focus on identifying and changing negative thought patterns and behaviors. We'll start by examining the connection between your thoughts, feelings, and behaviors and how they influence your emotions and actions. We will look at how changing your thoughts can lead to positive changes in how you feel and behave. We'll work together to identify negative thought patterns that contribute to your distress or problems. Once we've identified negative thought patterns, we'll challenge their accuracy and validity so that you can develop more balanced and realistic perspectives. In this approach I will provide homework assignments which will provide practice in practical skills and techniques to manage your emotions and cope with challenges more effectively. Throughout the therapy process, we'll set specific, measurable goals to work towards.This is a collaborative process where we work together. I'll provide guidance, support, and feedback as we explore and implement strategies to help you overcome your challenges and achieve your goals.
