Melissa Cooper LCSW, Licensed Chemical Dependency Counselor

You may feel nervous about meeting the first time. That is a normal feeling before starting therapy. I will do my best to help you feel comfortable. The first appointment is the initial evaluation. We wilI get to know each other, and I will gather the information that helps determine what issues are going on that need to be the focus of treatment. We talk about the goals you have for counseling, your strengths, and the different types of counseling I provide. The first session lasts about 60 minutes. After that, appointments range from 50 - 60 minutes per session. We will discuss the frequency of sessions that I recommend, and then you can decide if the plan I recommend works for you. Typically, I recommend that we meet weekly for 4-6 sessions and switch to bi-weekly meetings thereafter. The counseling relationship is an important part of your treatment and weekly meetings (in the beginning) allow us to become acquainted and develop a strong working relationship.

In my approach, the key components of the therapeutic relationship include a trusting alliance between the therapist and client and the therapists unconditional and positive regard toward the client. My approach comes from a place of acceptance of the client for who they are and providing the support and care that they need to make decisions that are right for them.

My personal experiences offer a framework to use when working with clients. I have applied a 12-step framework that has provided me with growth experiences and created a passion for helping others to experience self-awareness, acceptance, and personal growth in their own life. I am inspired by the process of recovery and change every day, and I get to share in my clients own recovery and personal growth, which is an honor!

• Texas, Licensed Clinical Social Worker, 65029
• Texas, Licensed Chemical Dependency Counselor, 14795

I help adults, young adults, older teens, and seniors with anxiety, depression, relationship struggles, stress, low self-esteem, trauma, grief, and chemical dependency, and more. I help people discover their core issues and improve relationships with themselves and others. LGBTQIA friendly. I believe in kindness to all! Are you looking for support during a difficult time? Are you ready to make positive changes in your life? Are you ready to work through difficult feelings? Do you want to learn ways to calm down and relax? I know how to help you by using proven interventions! I use a client-centered approach where the relationship between client and therapist is most important. I am genuine and an empathic listener. I would like to work with you and provide a safe place for you to learn and grow! In order to help clients succeed and grow, I have obtained specialized training in approaches that were developed to target difficult life experiences, such as trauma/PTSD, treating people who have been directly affected by another persons drinking or substance use or are currently struggling with substance use themselves. EMDR (eye movement desensitization and reprocessing) is an evidence-based intervention that has been found effective in treating panic attacks, addictions, eating disorders, anxiety, trauma, and more. Treatment is customized to your particular needs. Most of our attention will focus on your current strengths rather than weaknesses. We will find past and present successes to address the challenges you are facing so that you can move forward successfully. You will learn new tools that have been scientifically proven to help people gain relief.