Melissa completed a Bachelor of Science in Psychology with a minor in Philosophy at Utah State University. She went on to receive her Master’s degree in Social Work and a Graduate Certificate in Women and Gender Studies, with an emphasis in social development of adolescent girls. Melissa has extensive experience working with at-risk youth in a variety of settings. She worked with children with autism in the public school system in Pennsylvania, creating treatment plans, working with parents, and using Applied Behavioral Analysis to better integrate the clients into the mainstream school environment. She also worked with inner-city at-risk youth in Washington D.C. and Richmond, VA on issues ranging from addiction to anger management. Melissa believes that living and having the opportunity to work with kids from all over the country has allowed her to develop cultural competence and an appreciation for diversity.

Melissa has worked in the residential treatment setting for almost 20 years, as a direct care staff, Primary Therapist, and Clinical Director.  With a desire to help the local community, she opened a private practice to work with adolescents and young adults.

Melissa’s approach to therapy is individualized, client-centered, and strength based. She uses therapeutic skills from a variety of treatment modalities including Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR, Brainspotting, Psychodynamic, Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Dialectical-Behavioral Therapy (DBT), Attachment-focused Therapy, Emotion-Focused Therapy (EFT), Motivational Interviewing, Family Systems, and Solution-Focused Therapy, and the Neurosequcntial Model of Therapuetics (NMT). Melissa has experience working with adolescents and young adults that are dealing with depression and anxiety, attachment and adoption, personality disorders, PTSD, trauma and grief, self-esteem/identity issues, sexual assault and abuse, ADD/ADHD, anger management issues, substance abuse and dependency, and relationship problems.

Melissa spends her free time cooking, playing the piano, and spending time with her family. She enjoys camping, hiking, canyoneering, and loves to travel.