Melissa Smith

LMHC

The therapeutic relationship is the most important variable in how much someone benefits from therapy. I value authenticity in the therapeutic relationship because nothing is more essential than making a genuine connection. It is important that you feel safe enough with me to have a good cry, express anger, shame, and guilt, and to self-reflect. Feel free to be yourself, whether that means cursing, crying, laughing, or needing to sit in silence. In session, I integrate person-centered, somatic, and cognitive therapies. This approach honors your entire experience, including bodily sensations, sensory experiences, behaviors, emotions, thoughts, and beliefs. I work best with women who want to know themselves more deeply and increase self-awareness.

My clients are women who have reached a point where something needs to change. They feel stuck in their patterns and behaviors, unable to stop and not understanding why. They are overwhelmed with uncomfortable emotions. It feels like their past intrudes on their present. They ask questions like “what’s wrong with me?” and tend to be hard on themselves. They may not feel seen or heard and often feel alone. These recurring themes helped me see that an important aspect of healing for many women is removing the loneliness and shame that accompany many common challenges. I provide my clients with education about how the nervous system is wired and re-wired through experience. I take the time to understand their unique patterns of protective behaviors, the experiences that fuel them, and strategies to respond differently to their environment. Many people start therapy worried they are “broken” or “crazy.” Understanding the biology behind symptoms can provide relief.

Sessions with me are typically an integration of introspection, processing, and skill-building. We begin by exploring what motivated you to seek therapy and take time to understand how your sensations, behaviors, emotions, and beliefs work together to create your experience. We examine strengths, defenses, and resources to increase your ability to remain present and resourceful in times of stress. I provide support and guidance as you process and devise new ways of understanding and relating to yourself, others, and your environment. In addition to more traditional modalities such as CBT and ACT, I frequently utilize techniques from Integrative Somatic Trauma Therapy. This approach uses a variety of modalities to treat toxic stress, anxiety, depression, and trauma, including emotion regulation, somatic resources, polyvagal theory, and internal family systems.