Works with
- Anger
- Stress, Anxiety
- Self esteem
- Bipolar disorder
- Depression
- Coping with life changes
How Melissa works
Practical facts
- Credentials
- LPC
- Licensed in
- Missouri
- Years in practice
- 23
- Languages
- English
- Session format
- Online, through our partner platform
About Melissa
Melissa Smith is a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) based in Missouri with 23 years of experience. She helps people facing stress, anxiety, anger, low self-esteem, depression, and motivation struggles. Her approach is straightforward and compassionate, aimed at practical steps people can use day to day.
Melissa creates a calm, nonjudgmental setting where clients can talk about what matters most to them. Sessions focus on clear goals and small changes that add up over time.
Background and approach
She encourages honest conversation and works at the client’s pace. Her work draws on several therapy styles including client-centered listening, cognitive behavioral strategies, and mindfulness tools. That mix lets her address both immediate symptoms and the patterns under them.
Clients get hands-on techniques for managing moods, handling anger, and improving relationships. She also brings motivational interviewing and psychodynamic ideas into sessions when helpful. Those methods can help people find what drives them and make sense of recurring patterns.
The result is a practical plan tailored to each person’s life and goals. Melissa supports people dealing with life changes, addiction, grief, trauma, parenting stress, workplace strain, and questions about life purpose. She works with young adults and adults who want clearer direction and better emotional balance.
Conversations are plainspoken and focused on the next right step.
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
- Self esteem
- Bipolar disorder
- Depression
- Coping with life changes
- Addictions
- Relationship issues
- Family conflicts
- Trauma and abuse
- Grief
- Intimacy-related issues
- Parenting issues
- Anger management
- Career difficulties
- Coaching
- Compassion fatigue
- ADHD
- Aging and geriatric issues
- Caregiver issues and stress
- Codependency
- Emptiness
- Forgiveness
- Guilt and shame
- Isolation / loneliness
- Life purpose
- Mood disorders
- Post-traumatic stress
- Women's issues
- Workplace issues
- Young adult issues
Approaches Melissa lists
- Client-Centered Therapy
- Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
- Mindfulness Therapy
- Motivational Interviewing
- Psychodynamic Therapy
- 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.
Therapy approaches and what online sessions can offer
Client-Centered Therapy focuses on listening and respect. The therapist offers empathy and reflection so people feel heard and can explore what matters to them. This approach helps when someone needs space to make sense of feelings and decide next steps.Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, or CBT, looks at how thoughts, feelings, and behavior connect. It provides tools to test unhelpful thoughts and practice new responses. CBT is often useful for anxiety, anger, depression, and changing daily habits.
Mindfulness Therapy teaches simple attention and breathing practices to reduce reactivity and increase calm. These practices can support emotion regulation and reduce impulsive responses in stressful moments.
Finding the right approach is part of the work together. The therapist will talk with each person about goals, try different techniques, and adjust based on what actually helps. That collaborative process helps build a plan that fits the person’s needs and preferences.
Online sessions are offered by video, phone, live chat, and text-based messaging for flexibility. Video calls allow face-to-face conversation when more connection is helpful. Phone sessions use less bandwidth and can fit a break at work. Live chat and text messaging can be useful for brief check-ins, daily coaching, or when writing feels easier. These options make it simpler to keep therapy consistent around a busy life.
Questions people ask about Melissa
What concerns does Melissa commonly help with?
She helps people with stress, anxiety, anger, depression, addiction, relationship and parenting strain, grief, trauma, and life transitions.
What is her therapeutic style like?
Her style is calm and direct. She combines client-centered listening with practical techniques to help people manage emotions and make steady progress.
How much experience does she have?
Melissa has 23 years of counseling experience working in clinical and community settings across a range of concerns.
What credentials and location information are on file?
She is a Licensed Professional Counselor, LPC, licensed in Missouri.
In which languages can sessions be held?
Sessions are offered in English.
What session formats are available?
Therapy is offered via video calls, phone sessions, live chat, and text-based messaging to fit different schedules.
How is cost handled for sessions?
Cost varies with location and therapist availability. Sessions use a subscription model that can be canceled at any time.
How do I begin working with her?
Start by selecting the Start Therapy button, completing a short matching questionnaire, and then schedule sessions according to therapist availability.