Melissa Hollo

Hello, Thank you for considering taking the first step in your mental health wellbeing. I have over 20 years of experience as a licensed independent social worker, beginning my career in dual diagnosis inpatient psychiatric units and later working with the homeless mentally ill population. I spent several years in a hospital system's employee assistance counseling department, focusing on mental health, relationship issues, grief, trauma, work-related concerns, and self-esteem. My experience also includes managing psychiatric evaluations and assisting patients in emergency departments. Currently, I work in corporate America, providing counseling focused on career-driven stress and career coaching to enhance overall mental wellness.

My approach to therapy is centered on creating a safe, collaborative, and nonjudgmental space where you can openly explore your thoughts, emotions, and life experiences. I believe that every person comes to therapy with unique needs, goals, and expectations, so I tailor each session to what is most helpful for you.

Talk therapy serves as the foundation of my work, allowing us to have honest, meaningful conversations that help uncover the patterns influencing your emotional and mental well-being. At the same time, I recognize that insight alone is not always enough. For clients who are looking for practical strategies, I also provide evidence-based coping skills, problem-solving techniques, and tools that can help navigate current challenges and build resilience outside of our sessions.

Some days you may simply need a place to vent and feel heard. Other times you may want to process a difficult experience, gain perspective, or focus on developing specific skills to manage anxiety, stress, relationships, or life transitions. We will work together to determine what you need each session and adjust our approach accordingly.

Therapy is a process that unfolds over time. One of the most important parts of that process is getting to know you and understanding your story, your strengths, your challenges, and what you hope to achieve. My role is to meet you where you are, support you without judgment, and help you move toward the goals that matter most to you at a pace that feels right for you.

Your first session is an opportunity for us to get to know one another. My primary goal is to understand your background, what has brought you to therapy, and what you hope to achieve. We'll talk about your current concerns, your personal history, your strengths, and any previous experiences with therapy that may be helpful for me to know.

Together, we'll begin identifying your goals and discuss what you would like to gain from our work together. While meaningful change takes time, I hope you'll leave our first session feeling heard, understood, and with the beginnings of a plan that feels realistic and aligned with your needs.

Therapy is a collaborative process, and there is no "right" way to begin. Whether you're ready to dive into a specific challenge or simply aren't sure where to start, we'll move at a pace that feels comfortable for you and build a plan that supports your goals.