Melanie Ryerson(She/Her/Hers)

Hi, I’m Melanie (she/her).

Before becoming a therapist, I spent years in the classroom supporting teens with ADHD, autism, and other learning differences. I learned firsthand how powerful it can be to have someone on your side who “gets it” and knows how to listen. Now, I help teens and adults navigate life’s challenges with resilience, self-acceptance, and grace, even when things feel heavy or overwhelming.

I bring to my work my own story, which includes the loss of a brother to addiction and my father to cancer. These experiences have deepened my empathy and commitment to helping others find peace and purpose amid life’s hardest challenges.

Beyond one-on-one sessions, I also lead workshops for nonprofits on recovery from loss, church hurt, and sexual trauma. I’m a faith-affirming and LGBTQIA+ affirming therapist, and I strive to create a safe space where you can bring your whole self—no edits, no filters, no pretending. My hope is for you to feel truly seen, understood, and supported on this journey.

I’m a Licensed Mental Health Counselor, an Adjunct Professor at USF’s Judy Genshaft Honors College, and, like many of the strong women I work with, I know what it’s like to carry the weight of high expectations. As a high-achieving woman myself, I understand how burnout, anxiety, and grief can feel like relentless obstacles—especially when you’re giving so much to your work, relationships, and self-growth.