Melissa C. Mello

It has long been in Melissa’s nature to understand our shared human experience through an empathetic lens. As there is often overlap between professional interests and lived experience, she first began her early therapeutic work with students in the developmentally familiar stages of adolescence and young adulthood. Now, with broadened life experiences and over 15 years in the counseling field, Melissa specializes in college and graduate student mental health, women’s issues across the lifespan, and adults living with anxiety and depression.

As a licensed mental health counselor, Melissa is trained in evidence-based therapy models. Her preferred orientation is grounded in cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT). Melissa finds the clinical research and anecdotal evidence gathered in practice that backs this approach to be compelling; CBT can lead to significant improvement in functioning and quality of life with anxiety, depression, and relationship stressors. Complementing the CBT model, Melissa naturally infuses mindfulness practices into the sessions. In doing so, she works closely with her clients in both treating the presenting concerns in the here and now, and providing skills and opportunities to fortify the emotional immune system moving forward. Melissa believes that effective therapy should not only alleviate the presenting pervasive negative symptoms, but propel functioning beyond a merely tolerable baseline towards happiness and fulfillment.

Melissa is available for in-person and tele-health sessions. She offers individual therapy in an unfussy, compassionate, and effective style to provide top therapeutic care through the less comfortable and more distressing times we may face.