Melissa Linning

I’ve been a therapist for 16 years and have had the privilege of working with individuals and families in private practice for more than 13 years. Over the years, I’ve learned that there is no “one-size-fits-all” approach to therapy. Each person brings their own story, experiences, strengths, and challenges—and I believe therapy should reflect that.

My training includes evidence-based treatments for depression, anxiety, and trauma, and I have experience helping people navigate family dysfunction, addiction, legal system involvement, spiritual and faith struggles, marriage challenges, and chronic health conditions.

Most importantly, I want you to feel comfortable being yourself in therapy. My approach is warm, compassionate, and collaborative. We’ll work together to identify what’s getting in the way and find approaches that fit your needs and goals. You are in control of your therapy journey, and I’m here to listen, support you, and help you move toward the changes you want to make.

My approach is to meet you where you’re at. I believe it’s important to first identify the areas you’re struggling with and then use the therapy modalities that best fit your individual needs. You are in control of your therapy journey, so I will never create goals for you that don’t align with what you want to work on. My role is to provide guidance, support, and the tools you need to make meaningful changes at your own pace.

In our first session, nothing is more important to me than making sure you feel comfortable, heard, and able to openly share what you need from therapy. I know it can feel a little strange to meet a stranger over the internet and immediately begin talking about personal things, so I like to take a little time to introduce myself and help you feel more at ease.

From there, I’ll ask questions about your background, what brings you to therapy, and what you’re hoping to get out of our time together. This helps me get to know you as a person and gain a better understanding of your needs.

Toward the end of our first session, we’ll talk about goals we can work on together. I want these goals to be meaningful to you—not something I simply decide for you. We’ll make sure you’re comfortable with the direction of therapy and discuss practical ways we can work toward those goals together.

My hope is that you leave your first session feeling welcomed, understood, and confident that we have a plan moving forward.