- Family systems
- CBT techniques
- Trauma work
About Melanie
Melanie Barefield is a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) and a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT) in Georgia with eight years of clinical experience. She works with adults facing stress, anxiety, family concerns, trauma and abuse, depression, bipolar disorder, and relationship struggles. Melanie also supports people coping with grief, parenting pressures, ADHD, compassion fatigue, and life changes.
She draws on marriage and family therapy training to look at how family patterns affect current problems. That can mean mapping how people relate to each other, and identifying small changes that alter those patterns. Melanie also uses strategies from cognitive behavioral therapy to help shift unhelpful thoughts and behaviors.
A large part of her work has focused on trauma. She has experience supporting people who have survived abuse, postpartum depression, post-traumatic stress, and related symptoms. Her background includes residential treatment centers, in-home counseling, church-based work, and hospital settings, so she has seen a range of needs and settings.
Melanie uses a collaborative style. She starts by listening, then helps clients set concrete goals and choose techniques that fit those goals. She has used Motivational Interviewing and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy tools when they match a client’s needs.
She has also worked with couples using Prepare-Enrich and applies family systems ideas to blended family issues, communication problems, infidelity, and family of origin concerns. People who want help with life purpose, multicultural issues, or managing guilt and shame may find relevant experience in her background.
How Melanie’s approaches translate to online sessions
Melanie uses Acceptance and Commitment Therapy and Trauma-Focused approaches alongside Cognitive Behavioral Therapy. ACT focuses on clarifying values and taking meaningful action even when difficult thoughts or feelings are present. It can help people feeling stuck about identity, life direction, or painful choices.Trauma-Focused Therapy targets symptoms that follow traumatic events by creating safety, building coping skills, and processing distressing memories at a pace the client can manage. CBT looks at patterns of thought and behavior and offers concrete exercises to reduce anxiety, depression, and unhelpful reactions.
Melanie treats finding the right approach as a collaborative process. She will help clients pick which methods to try based on their goals, needs, and preferences and will adjust the plan over time if something isn’t working.
The original profile does not specify which session formats are offered, so confirm current online options before booking. In general, online work can make it easier to fit sessions into a busy schedule, allow shorter check-ins when time is limited, and reduce travel time. Licensed professionals can use different formats to match what fits a client’s daily life and energy level.
Areas of expertise
Primary focus
Also works with
Additional focus areas
Therapeutic approaches
Experience
8+ years
Listed in
Georgia
Languages
English
Frequently asked questions
What concerns does she work with?
She works with stress, anxiety, relationship and family issues, trauma and abuse, depression and bipolar concerns, grief, parenting strain, ADHD, and related topics such as abandonment and communication problems.
What is her general therapeutic style?
She listens first and then works collaboratively to set clear goals. She often uses family systems ideas alongside CBT and trauma-focused techniques.
How much clinical experience does she have?
She has eight years of experience working in residential treatment centers, in-home counseling, church-based settings, and hospitals.
What credentials and location apply?
She holds LPC and LMFT credentials and practices in Georgia under GA LPC and GA LMFT.
Does she work in other languages or with international clients?
Sessions are offered in English. She is not currently accepting international clients.
What session formats are offered?
The original profile does not list specific session formats. Please confirm current session options before booking.
How does cost and billing work?
Cost varies with location and sessions use a subscription that can be canceled at any time.
How do I get started with her?
Select the See online therapy options button, complete a short matching questionnaire, and schedule a first session.
Online talk therapy through BetterHelp is for adults aged 18 and over and is not emergency care. If you are in danger, use the emergency numbers. Find someone else by name.