Dr. Melanie Coates

Hi, I’m Melanie. I’m a therapist, writer, and educator with a passion for helping Christian women move beyond anxiety, trauma, and overwhelming life experiences so they can live with greater peace and clarity. Many of the women I work with are thoughtful, faith-centered individuals who feel exhausted from trying to hold everything together while quietly carrying stress, worry, or past pain.

I earned a Doctor of Education in Community Care and Counseling with a trauma focus, along with a Master’s degree in Psychology and Counseling. My work is informed by trauma-informed care, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, and mindfulness practices. For clients who desire it, I also integrate faith and spirituality into the healing process.

My approach is warm, thoughtful, and grounded. I believe therapy should feel like an OASIS — Open And Safe InSide— a place where you can slow down, be honest about what you’re carrying, and begin rebuilding a sense of peace, confidence, and direction.

Outside of therapy, I’m a writer, poet, and speaker who enjoys quiet moments with coffee, popcorn, and the occasional antique shop. Creativity, humor, and reflection are meaningful parts of my life and often influence the way I help clients explore their own stories.

My approach is compassionate, collaborative, and focused on helping you understand both your experiences and the patterns that may be keeping you stuck.

I draw primarily from trauma-informed care, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), and mindfulness-based techniques to help clients identify unhelpful thinking patterns, regulate anxiety, and build healthier emotional responses. Together we explore the connection between your thoughts, emotions, and behaviors so that change becomes both practical and sustainable.

For clients who would like to incorporate their faith, I also offer faith-integrated therapy, where spiritual reflection, values, and belief systems can be included as part of the healing process.

My goal is not simply to help you cope, but to help you gain tools that allow you to think differently, respond differently, and experience greater peace in your daily life.

Your first session is simply a conversation where we begin getting to know each other.

We’ll talk about what brought you to therapy, what challenges you’ve been facing, and what you hope will be different in your life as a result of our work together. I’ll also ask some background questions to better understand your experiences, support systems, and goals.

Most importantly, the first session is an opportunity for you to see if you feel comfortable working with me. Therapy works best when there is a sense of safety and trust, so my goal is to create a calm, welcoming space where you feel heard and respected.

By the end of the session, we’ll begin identifying the areas you want to focus on and start shaping a plan for how therapy can support your growth and healing.