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Headshot of Melanie Cruz, LCSW

Melanie Cruz

Therapist
7 years of experience
  • Virtual
  • Anxiety, ADD/ADHD, Depression, Stress management, Maternal mental health
  • Individual therapy, Family therapy, Child or adolescent therapy

Great to meet you!

Hi there! I’m Melanie, and I’m so glad you’re here. I’m a compassionate and supportive therapist who enjoys working with children, adolescents, and adults from all backgrounds.

I have experience supporting clients through anxiety, depression, mood disorders, trauma, postpartum mental health concerns, stress, and other life challenges. With over 10 years of experience working with individuals and families in private practice, nonprofit organizations, and intensive in-home settings, I’ve had the opportunity to support people through a wide range of mental health needs and life experiences.

My approach is centered around meeting you where you are, listening without judgment, and working together to identify what you need to feel more balanced, confident, and hopeful. Whether you're going through a difficult season, feeling overwhelmed, or simply looking to better understand yourself, I’m here to support you along the way.

My approach to therapy

I take a flexible and individualized approach to therapy, using evidence-based practices such as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), strengths-based approaches, mindfulness, and other techniques based on what feels most helpful for you.

My goal is to meet you where you are, without judgment, while helping you recognize your strengths, develop healthy coping skills, and work through the challenges that may be getting in the way of living the life you want.

What you can expect from me

I believe reaching out for support can be an important first step toward creating positive change. I begin with an introductory session where you’ll have the opportunity to share your story, talk about what brought you to therapy, and explore what you hope to achieve. We’ll work together to identify goals that feel meaningful and realistic for you.

My goal is to create a warm, welcoming, and judgment-free environment where you feel safe to be open, vulnerable, and truly yourself. From there, we’ll work together at a pace that feels comfortable for you, building on your strengths and developing the tools you need to make meaningful progress toward the life you want.

About me

  • I identify as
    Caucasian, Woman
  • My style is
    Direct, Open Minded, Solution Oriented

Qualification and insurance

  • Years of experience
    7 years of experience
  • Training
    MSW (Master of Social Work) at Monmouth University
  • License type
    LCSW (Licensed Clinical Social Worker) (New Jersey)
  • Licensed in
  • Insurance accepted
    Aetna, Carelon Behavioral Health, Cigna, Horizon Blue Cross and Blue Shield of New Jersey, Independence Blue Cross Pennsylvania - Virtual National Network

Cost

Care details

  • Top specialties
    Anxiety, ADD/ADHD, Depression, Stress management, Maternal mental health
  • More specialties
    Bipolar disorder, OCD, Sleep disorder, Family issues, LGBTQIA+, Anger management, Panic disorders, Relationship issues, Women's issues, Trauma, PTSD, Infertility
  • Therapy methods
    Emotion Focused Therapy (EFT), Behavior Modification, Strength-Based, Interpersonal Psychotherapy (IPT), Trauma Focused CBT, Cognitive Behavioral (CBT), Psychoeducational Family Therapy, Play, Attachment Based, Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT), Positive Psychology, Motivational Interviewing, Behavioral, Cognitive Processing (CPT)
  • Care types
    Individual therapy, Family therapy, Child or adolescent therapy
  • Ages served
    Adults, Adolescents, Children
  • Languages
    English