- Client-Centered Therapy
- Cognitive Behavioral Therapy
- Boundaries and communication
About Melissa
Melissa Averett is a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) based in Louisiana with 14 years of clinical experience. She completed a Master of Education in Counseling at Southeastern Louisiana University and has worked in both residential and outpatient settings supporting adults with a wide range of struggles. Melissa focuses on concerns such as stress, anxiety, self-esteem, depression, addictions, trauma, grief, sleep problems, parenting challenges, and ADHD.
Her experience includes four years in a residential program for women recovering from addiction and nine years providing outpatient counseling to adults. She helps people who have gone through divorce with the early steps of healing and forgiveness. Melissa combines a person-centered approach with cognitive tools to tackle the thoughts that get in the way of daily functioning.
In sessions she works to build clear goals and identify what clients most need from counseling. She teaches practical skills like setting boundaries, improving self-esteem, recognizing choices and consequences, and using coping strategies that fit real life. Communication skills and assertiveness are common focuses when relationships are a concern.
Melissa uses Cognitive Behavioral Therapy to help clients identify and change unhelpful thinking patterns. She also practices Client-Centered Therapy to create a respectful, goal-focused working relationship. Her work is aimed at adults navigating life changes such as leaving home, new jobs, relationship shifts, or recovery from loss.
She offers counseling in English and practices in Louisiana. Before booking, readers should confirm current session options and formats, since those details can change.
Therapeutic approaches used in online sessions
Melissa uses Client-Centered Therapy to focus on what each person identifies as important. That approach emphasizes listening, building rapport, and helping clients set their own counseling goals. It can help when someone needs guidance sorting priorities or deciding what to work on.She also uses Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) to identify and change patterns of thinking that cause distress. CBT involves noting automatic thoughts, testing whether they are accurate, and practicing alternative ways of thinking. This work is often helpful for anxiety, depression, and sleep or stress-related issues.
Finding the right approach is part of the work together. Melissa will collaborate with clients to choose methods that match their problems, goals, and how they prefer to work. She adapts sessions based on what helps someone make steady progress.
Session logistics and formats can vary, so confirm current options before booking. Online sessions can make it easier to fit counseling into a busy schedule, reduce travel time, and allow shorter check-ins when time is limited. Discuss scheduling needs when you match so sessions can fit into your daily routine.
Areas of expertise
Also works with
Additional focus areas
Therapeutic approaches
Experience
14+ years
Listed in
Louisiana
Languages
English
Frequently asked questions
What kinds of problems does she address?
She works with adults on issues like stress, anxiety, depression, addictions, trauma and grief, as well as relationship and parenting concerns.
How would she approach sessions?
She blends Client-Centered Therapy to build rapport and CBT to identify and change unhelpful thoughts. Sessions focus on practical skills and clear goals.
How much experience does she have?
Melissa has 14 years of clinical experience, including four years in residential addiction recovery work and nine years in outpatient counseling for adults.
Where is she licensed and practicing?
She is a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) practicing in Louisiana.
Are sessions offered in other languages?
Sessions are offered in English only.
Can people outside the United States work with her?
She does not accept international clients at this time.
How are session costs handled?
Cost varies with location and sessions use a subscription model that can be canceled at any time.
What do I do to begin?
Select the See online therapy options button, complete the short matching questionnaire, and schedule your 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.