Melissa Medina-Longbine

I've been a therapist for 14 years, and in that time I've learned that people need space to be heard. I work with clients navigating relationships, identity, cultural and ethnic experiences, LGBTQ+ concerns, stress, trauma, and the particular weight that women often carry without anyone noticing. My style is warm and direct. I'll laugh with you, and I'll also tell you the truth when it matters. Outside of work, I'm usually on the sidelines at my son's games, hunting down a restaurant I've never tried, or talking someone into an experience that's a little more immersive than they signed up for. A bit of whimsy goes a long way, in therapy and everywhere else.

I believe you're the expert on your own life, so we start with what you already know about yourself and build from there. My work is grounded in humanistic therapy, which means I meet you as a whole person rather than a list of symptoms. From there, I draw on somatic therapy to help you notice what your body is holding, solution-focused and problem-solving approaches when you want practical movement, motivational interviewing when you're weighing a change, and family and couples work when the people around you are part of the picture. I'll follow your pace, and I'll gently name patterns when I see them.

The first session is mostly a conversation. I'll ask what brought you here and what you're hoping changes, and you can share as much or as little as feels right. There's no script you need to follow and no wrong way to start. I'll ask questions, get a sense of your history and what's happening now, and answer anything you want to know about how I work. Before we finish, we'll talk about what you want to focus on so you leave with a clear sense of where we're headed.