Melaney Flaniken

I am a Licensed Professional Counselor with a background of over 17 years in bodywork, coaching, and integrative health. I hold an undergraduate degree in Integrative Health Studies and a graduate degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling. My approach weaves together mind, body, and spirit to support deep healing and meaningful growth.

I specialize in working with teens, adults, and couples navigating life transitions, anxiety, obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), trauma, grief, and substance use. My clinical work draws from exposure and response prevention (ERP) for OCD, cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), and somatic practices, all grounded in a compassionate, humanistic, and existential orientation.

I especially enjoy working with individuals who feel stuck, lost, or at a turning point in their lives. My role is to provide a supportive, collaborative space where you can reconnect with yourself, break through old patterns, and discover new possibilities.

In addition to traditional counseling, I also offer mindfulness-based tools and nature-informed therapeutic experiences that help clients connect more deeply with themselves and the world around them.

My style is compassionate, collaborative, and grounded in the belief that every person already carries the capacity for growth and healing within them. I see therapy as a partnership—we work together to explore what’s holding you back, identify your strengths, and build practical tools to help you move forward.

I draw from evidence-based approaches such as cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and exposure and response prevention (ERP) for OCD, along with somatic awareness, mindfulness, and existential perspectives. This allows me to tailor therapy to your unique needs, whether that means addressing anxious thoughts, processing past trauma, or creating new ways of relating to yourself and others.

Many of my clients come to me feeling stuck, overwhelmed, or disconnected. My role is to create a safe, supportive space where you can slow down, reflect, and begin to reconnect with your values and strengths. Together, we’ll explore patterns that no longer serve you, develop skills for resilience, and open up new possibilities for living with clarity and purpose.

When appropriate, I also integrate nature-based and mindfulness practices, offering opportunities to connect with the outdoors as a source of grounding, perspective, and renewal.

Your first session is a chance for us to get to know each other and begin building a foundation of trust. I’ll invite you to share what brings you to therapy, what you hope to gain, and any questions or concerns you may have. Together, we’ll explore your story at a pace that feels comfortable, focusing on your goals and what feels most important to you right now.

I create a warm, nonjudgmental space where you can feel heard, supported, and understood. The first session often includes clarifying what you’d like to work on, discussing therapeutic approaches that might be helpful, and setting an initial direction for our work together.

By the end of our session, my goal is for you to feel a sense of relief in being understood, some clarity about the process, and the reassurance that you’re not facing things alone. From there, we’ll continue to work together to create meaningful change in a way that feels supportive and empowering for you.