Works with
How Melissa works
Practical facts
- Credentials
- LMHC, LCMHC
- Licensed in
- Florida, Utah
- Years in practice
- 24
- Languages
- English
- Session format
- Online, through our partner platform
About Melissa
Melissa Benson is a licensed mental health counselor with 24 years of experience. She helps people manage stress, anger, anxiety, grief, depression, and life changes. Her approach is practical and down-to-earth for someone who needs clear steps and steady support.
She writes a treatment plan around each person’s goals and situation. Sessions focus on what is most pressing, whether that is managing intense emotions, handling addiction-related concerns, or coping with loss.
Background and approach
Melissa uses straightforward tools to build everyday skills that make life feel more manageable. Her style is warm and respectful. She listens first, then offers strategies drawn from client-centered work and cognitive behavioral techniques.
People can expect a collaborative tone where their experience guides the pace and priorities of care. Melissa also uses mindfulness methods to help people calm strong reactions and notice patterns that fuel anger or anxiety. Solution-focused ideas help break problems into small, doable steps so progress comes sooner rather than later.
She practices in Florida as an LMHC - Licensed Mental Health Counselor and as an LCMHC - Licensed Clinical Mental Health Counselor. Work begins with a short conversation about needs and goals, followed by a plan that fits daily life and current responsibilities.
What Melissa works with
Everything Melissa lists, in the therapist's own terms. Anger is the reason this directory exists; the rest tells you what usually sits alongside it in Melissa's practice.
- Stress, Anxiety
- Grief
- Depression
- Coping with life changes
- ADHD
- Addictions
- LGBT
- Relationship issues
- Family conflicts
- Trauma and abuse
- Intimacy-related issues
- Eating disorders
- Sleeping disorders
- Parenting issues
- Anger management
- Self esteem
- Bipolar disorder
- Aging and geriatric issues
- Antisocial personality
- Avoidant personality
- Body image
- Codependency
- Commitment issues
- Communication problems
- Coping with natural or human-caused disaster
- Dependent personality
- Divorce and separation
- Drug and alcohol addiction
- Eating and food-related issues
- Emptiness
- Family problems
- Fatherhood issues
- Guilt and shame
- Hearing impaired
- Hoarding
- Infidelity
- Isolation / loneliness
- Jealousy
- Life purpose
- Midlife crisis
- Veteran and Armed Forces Issues
- Mood disorders
- Narcissism
- Obsessions, compulsions, and OCD
- Panic disorder and panic attacks
- Phobias
- Polyamory / non-monogamous relationships
- Postpartum depression
- Post-traumatic stress
- Self-love
- Social anxiety and phobia
- Women's issues
- Young adult issues
Approaches Melissa lists
- Client-Centered Therapy
- Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
- Mindfulness Therapy
- Motivational Interviewing
- Solution-Focused Therapy
- Trauma-Focused Therapy
Listing an approach is not evidence of training in it. This directory copies what each therapist names and does not check training records.
Approaches that translate well to online sessions
Client-centered therapy focuses on listening and building a trusting working relationship. In online sessions this means the therapist follows the person's lead, reflects concerns, and helps set goals that feel realistic for daily life. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, or CBT, breaks down problems into thoughts, feelings, and actions and teaches concrete skills to change unhelpful patterns; it works well over video or phone when practicing skills between sessions.Finding the right approach is part of therapy. The therapist will work together with the person to choose methods that match their goals, comfort level, and what they want to change. That collaborative process can include mixing client-centered listening with CBT skill practice or adding mindfulness exercises depending on need.
Online formats include video calls, phone sessions, live chat, and text-based messaging. Video is helpful when doing skill practice and seeing nonverbal cues. Phone sessions can be easier when bandwidth is limited or a shorter check-in fits better. Live chat and text messaging work well for brief updates, coaching between sessions, or when writing out thoughts helps make them clearer. These options aim to make regular work on goals fit into a busy life.
Questions people ask about Melissa
What concerns does Melissa commonly address?
She helps people with stress, anger, anxiety, grief, depression, addictions, relationship and intimacy issues, parenting struggles, sleep and eating concerns, ADHD, bipolar issues, and related life changes.
What is her therapeutic style like?
Her style is warm and respectful with a focus on practical skills. Sessions are collaborative and tailored to each person's needs.
How much clinical experience does she have?
Melissa has 24 years of professional work experience in mental health settings.
What credentials and location are listed?
She is an LMHC and an LCMHC licensed in Florida.
Which languages are supported and are international clients accepted?
Sessions are offered in English. International clients are not currently accepted.
In what formats are sessions offered?
Sessions can be held via video calls, phone sessions, live chat, or text-based messaging.
How does pricing and payment work?
Cost varies with location and therapist availability and uses a subscription model that can be canceled at any time.
What are the first steps to begin therapy?
Click the Start Therapy button, complete a short matching questionnaire, and schedule sessions according to therapist availability.