Hi, I'm Melissa! I have been a therapist for 15 years primarily working with adolescents and adults struggling with anxiety, depression, relationship issues with family, friends, roommates, significant others and overall life stress. I went to Penn State for my undergraduate degree and NYU for my masters in social work. I can meet with you for in person sessions in my office, virtually or a mix of both.
Therapy is a safe space where one can talk openly without judgment. It's a place where you can understand yourself a little bit better, specifically how your thoughts are connected to your overall mood and behavior. My approach is holistic looking at the whole person including coping skills, stress, daily routines. I also use CBT which focuses on identifying and changing unhelpful thought patters and behaviors. I use mindfulness which improves awareness and DBT skills which helps with distress tolerance in a safe, supportive environment.
The first session is a time to discuss current concerns, challenges, and goals that you have for therapy. It's also a time gather history, personal and family background, upbringing, and significant life events. Most importantly it's a space to talk about what is most important to you in a supportive, safe space.
