Let’s Embark on Your Journey to Mental Wellness Together

Hello, my name is Melissa, a Limited License mental health therapist. I’m here to guide you toward a brighter, bolder you. Think of me as your compass, ready to assist in navigating through life’s winding paths, with You as the hero of your own story. My mission? To ignite hope, uncover strengths, and make this journey as empowering as it is transformative. Rooted in Carl Rogers’ person-centered philosophy, my approach celebrates you—your dreams, your resilience, your unique light. I weave in mindfulness, evidence-based coping skills, and a focus on efficacy, to create a nurturing and reflective space where we will build connections, tackle stressors, and celebrate your growth. Every story is valuable and I’m here to listen, advocate, and support you on this journey of mental wellness.

Prior to earning a master’s degree in counseling, my professional journey actually began as a teenager, when a challenging reality collided with what I now consider my vocational calling as a person guiding others towards emotional growth and mental strength. I became a mother as a teenager and learned early on the importance of support, along with the value of family. That lesson in the power of connection and family fueled my academic dive into social work, where I focused on fostering community-based change within vulnerable populations. Eventually, my career interests evolved into a desire to work on a more one-on-one therapeutic basis with individuals, leading me to pursue a new path of becoming a therapist.

My career path thus far consists of over 15 years’ experience working among a variety of roles in the field of mental health. Nine of those years were spent in the profession of social work and four years as a professional mental health therapist. I have worked with and supported adults diagnosed with developmental and clinical differences, such as Down Syndrome, Schizophrenia, Traumatic Brain Injury, Borderline Personality Disorder, Bipolar disorders and those on the Autism spectrum.  Additional therapeutic focus includes, but is not limited to, substance abuse, anxiety, depression, eating disorders, domestic violence, teen pregnancy, and women empowerment.

Beyond the therapy room, I’m an admirer of nature and find solace in the environment, as it allows me to recharge. Whether it’s a hike through the woods or watching a cozy backyard fire, I find that it grounds me and inspires a calm, meditative vibe I bring to our sessions. I am also a fan of the author, Eckhart Tolle and his wisdom on presence and inner peace, has helped to shape both my practice and my life in a positive light. You will find me embracing self-care through journaling, deep breathing, music, comedy, aroma therapy, or riding my bike near the water. Whether I’m camping under the stars, cooking and trying new recipes for my family, gardening, catching a movie, or enjoying a concert in the park, I appreciate human connection—cherishing time with my family, friends, and furry pals.

So lets’ embark on this path of exploring, learning, uncovering new tools, while finding the potential within you to expand your emotional and mental growth. Your voyage starts here and I can’t wait to see the potential within you!