Dr. Melissa Morton

My journey into psychology began during my master’s program, when I became deeply curious about how stress and anxiety shape lives and how effective therapy can bring lasting relief. Witnessing clients overcome debilitating symptoms and reclaim their lives with confidence was transformative. It was clear that evidence-based treatments didn’t just offer relief; they created real change. This led me to pursue advanced training and a PhD, where I focused on what drives lasting change for those struggling with anxiety, phobias, OCD, & depression. Now, I apply that expertise at Upstate New York Psychology Practice, where I provide personalized, science-backed care for kids, teens, and adults, helping them live lives aligned with their values.

Are you feeling overwhelmed by anxiety, stuck in cycles of worry, struggling with intrusive thoughts, or finding that fear and self-doubt are holding you back from living the life you want? If so, you're not alone. Effective help is available.

I'm a licensed psychologist who provides personalized, evidence-based therapy for anxiety, OCD, panic, phobias, life transitions, burnout, depression, and related concerns. Drawing from Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP), Mindfulness, Compassion-Focused Therapy (CFT), and Coherence Therapy, I tailors treatment to each client's unique needs and goals.

My approach highly interactive, combining compassionate care with practical, science-based strategies. Working together, you will identify and address the patterns that may be keeping you stuck, build resilience and confidence in navigating difficult emotions, and move toward a life that is guided by your values, goals, and aspirations rather than anxiety, fear, or avoidance.

The first sessions are dedicated to assessment and gaining a comprehensive understanding of your concerns, personal history, strengths, and support systems. This process allows me to provide an accurate diagnosis, identify the factors that may be contributing to your difficulties, and determine the most appropriate course of treatment. If another provider or service may better meet your needs, referrals will be discussed.

Following the assessment, we will develop a personalized treatment plan tailored to your unique goals and concerns. Drawing from evidence-based approaches to help you better understand the patterns maintaining your difficulties while building effective strategies for moving forward.

Clients often appreciate my warm, collaborative, and highly interactive style, which balances compassionate support with practical tools to help foster meaningful and lasting change.