Melissa Crawford

I am a graduate of Shepherd University, where I acchieved a bacherlor's degree in social work. I graduated from the University of Maryland School of Social Work in 2001. My life mission is to provide individual therapy to help others reach their individual goals towards improved functioning. I make great connections with others, and provide therapy from an empathetic and empowering standpoint, focusing on individual strengths. I specialize in working with women and addressing anxiety, depression, bipolar, Borderline Personality Disorder, gambling addiction and substance use addiction. I have 25 years of experience providing substance use and mental health counseling. I enjoy working with motivated adults, and have great rapport with young adults and those in the gender transitioning processes.

I work from a strengths perspective, and focus on motivating individuals to make positive changes in their life. I use cognitive behavioral therapy, motivational interviewing, addictions treatment, relapse prevention and Dialectical Behavioral Therapy. I am a very laid back therapist, that can assure a judgment free zone from which to do therapy. I am naturally and intuitive person that responds to individual's needs through empathetic interactions.

At the first session, we will review confidentiality and mandated reporting. We will speak about your symptoms and how they impact you. I will gather information about your family background, current stressors and the goals you would like to address in therapy. Once the assessment is complete, we will collaboratively make a person centered treatment plan, with details regarding how to meet long term goals. Following that, we would meet weekly or every other week for individual therapy.