Melinda DeBell

I'm a Licensed Professional Counselor in New Jersey with seven years of experience working with individuals navigating anxiety, depression, grief, family conflict, divorce, and major life transitions. I hold both a clinical mental health degree and a Master of Fine Arts - which means I bring creative, arts-based tools into therapy alongside evidence-based approaches like CBT and mindfulness when they're a good fit for the person in front of me. I work with adolescents (12 and up), adults, and seniors, virtually across New Jersey. I accept Aetna, Cigna, Carelon, and Horizon BCBS NJ, and I offer sliding scale for clients who need it.

My approach is integrative and shaped by the person I'm working with. I draw from CBT, ACT, mindfulness-based methods, narrative therapy, and expressive arts - not as a fixed protocol, but as a range of tools I adjust based on what's actually useful for you. I'm warm but direct. I'll pay attention to patterns, name what I notice, and create space for you to figure out what you actually think and feel. Creative modalities are available to anyone who wants them and never required. I take a holistic view — the connection between thoughts, body, behavior, and environment all matters.

The first session is a real conversation, not an intake form. I'll ask what brought you in, what you've already tried, and what you're hoping to get from therapy. I want to understand you as a whole person - not just the presenting problem. By the end, we'll have a clear sense of what to focus on and whether working together feels like the right fit. There's no pressure to have your goals figured out before we start. Most people feel relieved just to say what's been sitting with them out loud.