- Years in practice
- 24
- Credentials
- LMHC, LCMHC
- Licensed in
- Florida, Utah
- Languages
- English
- Focus
- Stress, Anxiety
- Focus
- Grief
- Focus
- Depression
About Melissa
Melissa Benson is a licensed mental health counselor with 24 years of practice in Florida. She works with adults facing stress, anxiety, grief, depression, ADHD, addictions, parenting concerns, and relationship or intimacy challenges. Her direct approach helps people find manageable steps when life feels overwhelming.
She starts by listening and treating each person with respect and compassion. Sessions focus on what matters most to the individual, and Melissa adapts conversations and strategies to fit real life.
Background and approach
She uses straightforward tools that people can try between visits. Her background includes long experience supporting people through major life changes and loss. She also addresses issues such as sleep and eating concerns, anger, self-esteem, and bipolar mood challenges.
Melissa has worked with clients on communication and commitment issues as well as recovery from substance use. Melissa draws on several practical methods in session. She uses client-centered techniques to keep the work focused on each person's values.
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy helps identify patterns that keep problems going and offers new ways to respond. Mindfulness and solution-focused strategies add short-term skills for coping and decision-making. Sessions are offered in English and are available via video calls, phone, live chat, or text-based messaging.
Melissa describes starting therapy as a courageous step and aims to support people as they make small, sustainable changes toward a happier life.
What Melissa works with
Everything Melissa lists, in the therapist's own terms. Parenting is the reason this directory exists; the rest shows what else Melissa helps people with.
- 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 and online options for practical change
Client-centered therapy focuses on the client's goals and values and puts the person at the center of the conversation; it helps when someone needs a nonjudgmental space to clarify what they want. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, or CBT, looks at patterns of thought and behavior that keep problems going and teaches concrete skills to change those patterns. Mindfulness therapy introduces simple attention and breathing practices to reduce stress and improve emotional awareness.Choosing the right approach is part of the work. Melissa will collaborate with each person to decide which methods fit their needs, goals, and preferences. She adjusts techniques over time as progress and life circumstances change.
Online sessions are offered by video calls, phone, live chat, or text-based messaging to make therapy more flexible. Video calls let people see facial cues and hold longer sessions. Phone sessions work well when bandwidth or camera use is limited. Live chat and text messaging allow brief check-ins or ongoing written support between longer visits. These options help fit counseling into busy schedules and different daily routines.
Questions people ask about Melissa
What concerns does Melissa commonly help with?
She helps people dealing with stress, anxiety, grief, depression, parenting challenges, ADHD, addictions, relationship and intimacy issues, and other life changes.
What is her therapeutic style like?
Her style is respectful and compassionate with a focus on listening first. She tailors conversations and plans to meet each person's needs and preferences.
How much experience does she have?
She has 24 years of professional work experience providing counseling services in Florida.
What credentials and location are listed?
She holds LMHC and LCMHC credentials and practices in Florida.
Which languages are supported and are international clients accepted?
Sessions are offered in English and international clients are not currently accepted.
What session formats are available?
She offers video calls, phone sessions, live chat, and text-based messaging to fit different needs and schedules.
How is cost handled for sessions?
Cost varies with location and therapist availability; sessions use a subscription that can be canceled at any time.
How do I begin therapy with her?
To get started, select the Start Therapy button, complete a short matching questionnaire, and schedule according to therapist availability.
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