Melanie J Jackson LMHC, LPC, Professional Counselor Telehealth Provider

My life philosophy includes your reach must exceed your grasp, I am no wiser or smarter than anyone else, and there is no accuracy or value in judgment This life philosophy overlaps every aspect of my being; how I relate to others, how I perceive the world, and how I perceive my place in the world. My treatment philosophy includes listening so I can learn from my clients, acknowledging that each client is smarter than me in some area of their existence, and judgment of differences is outlawed since it is always inaccurate and stagnates growth.

The process for establishing therapy goals begins with the intake at our first meeting and is tweaked at each successive session. It is the clients therapy and needs to be designed by the client and will remain a work in progress until termination.

The therapeutic alliance is a key component of the therapeutic relationship and the clients perception of the quality of the relationship is the strongest predictor of treatment success. The foundation of the relationship is based on trust, caring, respect, agreement on the goals of therapy, and collaboration on the work of the treatment. It is imperative that there is shared decision-making, the willingness and ability to correct any problems or difficulties that may arise in the relationship, and a shared sense of ownership for the treatment. The therapeutic relationship is a microcosm of the clients world. Everything that occurs in outside relationships eventually occurs in the therapeutic relationship. The way in which the therapist and client handle these difficulties often defines the success of the therapy.

• Florida, Licensed Mental Health Counselor, MH3045
• Texas, Licensed Professional Counselor, 18548
• South Carolina, Professional Counselor Telehealth Provider, TLC10PC

My career began as an intern with The Child Protection Team, Inc. in Palm Beach County, FL. I gained experience in a Crisis Stabilization Unit doing triage, intakes, groups, and lots of emergency on-call. After a decade working with children, there it was . . . my niche . . . anxiety. Since 2008 I've devoted half my time at a local medical school where I co-teach Interdisciplinary Communication for Health Care Professionals and the other half in private practice where I specialize with anxiety disorders but also help clients going through life transitions, veterans issues, womens issues, and chronic illness. Currently serving residents of Florida, South Carolina, and Texas via telehealth.