Education: Melissa graduated from Gustavus Adolphus College in 2001 with a double major in Music and Psychology. In 2005, she completed her Master of Science in Professional Community Counseling with an emphasis in Marriage and Family Therapy at Minnesota State University, Mankato. She became a licensed marriage and family therapist in the state of Minnesota in 2008.
Background: Melissa has experience working with individuals, families, and groups in residential treatment centers and outpatient settings. She primarily works with people ages 16 and older. Melissa has co-facilitated adult and adolescent DBT groups since 2006. Her counseling experience has included developmentally delayed populations and adolescent sex offenders and victims. Melissa has been a guest speaker at a local support group for parents of children with congenital heart defects. Having a child with Pulmonary Hypertension, Melissa has a passion for helping families with children who have chronic medical conditions and hopes to expand this area of her practice.
Interests: Melissa has a passion for DBT (Dialectial Behavioral Therapy) and uses a strength-based solution-focused approach to therapy with a foundation in CBT (Cognitive Behavior Therapy).
Specialty Interests Include (but aren't limited to)
Anxiety
Depression
Schizophrenia
Bipolar
Borderline Personality Disorder
Post Traumatic Stress Disorder
Life transitions
College age students/Young adults
Improving self-esteem
Youth ages 16 years old and up
Individual therapy
Families of children with chronic medical conditions