Services
Anxiety and Depression Support
Anxiety and depression are a spectrum, and can often look different for everyone. Most of my clients feel as though they are stuck in an endless loop of rumination, fear of uncertainty, and dissatisfaction. This typically creates a cycle of avoidance, sitting on the sidelines and taking them away from what they value in life.
In our work together, we focus on changing how you relate to your thoughts and building tolerance with discomfort through exposure in a gradual and collaborative way.
What to Expect
I use a structured approach while also staying flexible toward your needs. For example, I like to have a topic for us ready to explore, or I will encourage practicing skills outside of sessions. This keeps us mindful and intentional in working toward your therapy goals.
I also use exposure techniques, which means gently facing uncomfortable thoughts, feelings, or situations in a safe, guided way. It can feel challenging at first, but over time it reduces avoidance, builds confidence, and helps you approach life with more autonomy and control.
My Approach
In my practice, I use Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, and Person-Centered therapy. These approaches help us recognize and become aware of unhelpful thought patterns, improve tolerance for uncomfortable emotions, and create behavior change that move you toward meaning and what you want out of life, rather than staying stuck.
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Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) helps individuals build a healthier relationship with their thoughts and emotions. Through this approach, they work on accepting difficult feelings without judgment, identifying personal values, and taking meaningful actions that align with those values. Rather than attempting to eliminate painful experiences, individuals develop skills such as mindfulness, cognitive defusion, and committed action, allowing them to live a more fulfilling and flexible life even when challenges arise.
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Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) helps individuals understand the connection between thoughts, feelings, and actions. It focuses on recognizing and challenging unhelpful thinking patterns, leading to healthier emotional responses. CBT also teaches practical skills like coping strategies and problem-solving to support greater control and resilience in daily life.
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Person-Centered Therapy focuses on creating a safe, nonjudgmental space where individuals feel truly heard and understood. It is based on the belief that each person is the expert on their own life and possesses the inner strength to grow and heal. Through empathy, honesty, and unconditional positive regard, this approach supports individuals in reconnecting with their true selves and moving toward meaningful change at their own pace.
“I'm really grateful I found Melanie to be my therapist when I did. I had dealt with anxiety most of my life, but as a new mom I was really having a hard time. Melanie helped me to understand my anxiety, which I never really did before. Once I understood why it existed in my life I was able to apply some of the strategies Melanie taught me to reframe my perspective on things and feel a lot better -- and in more areas than just coping with anxiety. It also always amazed me how easy it was to open up to Melanie. Some weeks I'd go into a session not sure what I wanted to talk about, but we always ended up having a really productive conversation. She's easy to open up to and completely non judgmental, which is perfect -- especially for someone new to therapy. I had tried therapy in the past, but always felt like I was just talking at someone and not getting anything in return. Melanie will allow you to talk if you just want to talk, but she always came prepared as well. I was impressed at how much she remembered from our conversations and how much she seemed to truly care. I wholeheartedly recommend Melanie if you're looking for someone to talk to, as it truly helped me.”
— Client, JH
