Mental Health Therapist
Melissa holds a Master’s of Science degree in Education – Counseling Psychology from the University of Wisconsin, River Falls, WI and a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology from the University of Minnesota, Twin Cities, MN. She completed certification in clinical counseling from St. Mary’s University and St. Thomas University. Melissa has been practicing as a therapist for 23 years working mostly with teenagers in group and individual therapy as well as adults, families and couples. Melissa has launched school-linked mental health programs in Columbia Heights and Centennial school districts.
Melissa’s approach encompasses a blend of CBT, DBT, mindfulness and Solution-focused therapy. She tailors her approach to each individual and meets the client where they are at. She has experience working with issues related to depression, self-mutilation, anxiety & panic, self-esteem and identity issues, stress & anger-management, parenting & relationship issues as well as grief and loss. She is also working towards certification in Trauma Focused Cognitive Behavior Therapy. Melissa is a board approved clinical supervisor. She provides clinical supervision to individuals working toward licensure and interns completing their clinical practicum and internship.
Melissa believes that the patterns of our mind that keep us trapped in emotional suffering are fundamentally the same patterns of mind that stand between us and the growth towards our potential for a more deeply satisfying way of being. Melissa enjoys scuba diving, snow- boarding, and volleyball. She is currently learning how to kite board.
Her favorite quote: “All that we are is the result of what we have thought. The mind is everything. What we think… we become.” ~Buddha
