Melissa is a Licensed Social Worker, a Grief educator and a NEDA proficient End of Life Doula who is offering virtual and in-person services in the areas of anticipatory grief, End-of-Life Care for patients and their families as well as bereavement support after the loss of a loved one.  She is also a bereaved wife who lost her spouse 5 years ago and understands the issues from both a personal and professional perspective.   Melissa is a retired School Social Worker with a Master in Social Work as well as a Special Education Teacher who worked in a Spokane area school district for 32 years until her move to be near grandsons in Indiana, 5 years ago.  She has been moderating on David Kessler’s Tender Hearts platform for a year and has volunteered with three different hospices in different roles for the past 12 years.   She continues to volunteer for Brighton Hospice and Tender Hearts.

I offer Counselling for a wide range of issues, including:

# Overview:

• Online sessions for youth and adults
  Specializing in: Complex trauma, dissociation, grief and loss, anxiety, depression, insomnia, self-image, life transition stress, relationship distress, and behavioral disorders.

• Group therapy and support groups

• Professional trainings and workshops

# Details:

I support others as a Certified Clinical Complex Trauma Professional, with training in a wide range of modalities including CBT, DBT, relational therapy, parts work (IFS), EMDR, Somatic Experiencing, and hypnotherapy. This extensive background allows me to tailor my approach to fit the unique needs of each client and the unique challenges they face in life.

Trauma is not limited to “big” events like death, assault, or addiction. It can stem from anything perceived as threatening by the nervous system. I approach each person with this understanding, meeting them exactly where they are.

Beyond my professional training, my empathic presence forms the foundation of the therapeutic relationship. I aim to walk alongside my clients, seeing the world through their eyes—offering compassionate support that helps them begin to see beyond their current pain. Our work together unfolds at their own pace, without pressure or hidden agendas.

This is a profound and deeply personal journey. It provides the support you need to move toward your goals—whether clearly expressed or discovered along the way. From building capacity, inner resilience, and distress tolerance to reconnecting with your authentic self, the process is uniquely customized for you. Ultimately, this journey can lead to reconciling with your past, being more present in your life, and holding hope for the future—if you’re willing to take the first step.

All you need is the desire and willingness to heal. Your strength will grow along the way.

I use an integrative, evidence-based approach tailored to each client’s needs. While cognitive work (what we remember consciously) is important, I often find that true transformation comes when we go deeper—beneath the surface—to address the roots.

Two powerful tools I incorporate here, which are:

• Somatic Experiencing / Embodiment
  This involves listening to the body’s stored stories and unresolved memories.

• Hypnotherapy
  Contrary to how it’s portrayed in movies, hypnotherapy does not involve losing control or falling asleep. It’s a gentle, guided process that helps access the subconscious mind—where many limiting beliefs and patterns reside, as well as the body’s own wisdom and healing capacity.

I’m a bi-lingual (Spanish) speaking Licensed Clinical Social Worker and certified grief educator. After completing my Masters’s program in 2004 at Fordham University, I began practicing therapy. I have experience practicing in many different settings including outpatient mental health clinics, schools, and private practice. I am dedicated to helping people learn the skills to navigate their current ongoing stressors.  Together we can work on grief,  depression, anxiety, trauma, and stress management. I enjoy working with adolescents, young adults, adults, and parents. I provide individual and family counseling.

My strengths are in CBT, MI, and grief education.

Outside of behavioral health care and in my free time, I enjoy playing guitar, and bass, and spending time with my family. If you plan on using your insurance or private pay, please complete the form on my headway.com profile listed below. Please leave a voicemail so that I can get back to you as soon as possible. At the present time, I am only doing online video therapy.