- Stress and anxiety
- Trauma and abuse
- Parenting support
About Melissa
Melissa Simonson is a Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor (LCPC) in Maryland and a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) in Virginia with five years of clinical counseling experience. She works with stress, anxiety, trauma and abuse, parenting concerns, self-esteem issues, and depression. Melissa also focuses on attachment concerns, blended family issues, control issues, divorce and separation, and challenges common in young adulthood.
Before counseling, Melissa spent 15 years in education as a teacher and administrator. That background shaped how she communicates: clear, practical, and direct. Sessions often include straightforward conversation, problem-solving, and tools to manage daily stressors.
Her approach is person-centered and goal-focused. Melissa listens for what is getting in the way day to day and suggests small, concrete steps clients can try between meetings. She pays attention to relationships and patterns that affect mood and confidence.
People working through life transitions such as finishing school, starting a first job, or navigating relationship changes may find the focus useful. She helps clients name the problems and try realistic changes that fit their schedules and responsibilities.
Her combined experience in schools and clinical settings informs how she supports parents and adults coping with family shifts. Melissa aims to keep sessions practical and useful while addressing emotional wounds and patterns that keep returning.
Therapeutic approaches and how online sessions can help
Melissa uses evidence-based therapeutic techniques that focus on helping people manage symptoms and change unhelpful patterns. One common approach emphasizes learning practical coping skills for anxiety and stress, such as breathing strategies, activity planning, and problem-solving steps that can reduce daily overwhelm. These techniques help when worry or pressure from work or school gets in the way of functioning.Another approach concentrates on understanding relationships and attachment patterns. This kind of work looks at how early or current relationships influence trust, boundaries, and emotional responses. It can be useful for people dealing with breakup, blended family stress, or struggles to build stable relationships in early adulthood.
Finding the right mix of methods is part of the process. She will work collaboratively with each client to identify goals and try different techniques, adjusting based on what helps most. Clients and the therapist decide together which strategies to keep and which to change.
Confirm which session formats are offered before booking since the biography does not list specific options. Online sessions can make it easier to fit therapy into a busy schedule, reduce travel time, and allow shorter check-ins when needed. They can also work well when someone prefers not to be on camera or needs a lower-bandwidth option. These practical advantages help therapy fit into everyday life without promising specific outcomes.
Areas of expertise
Primary focus
Additional focus areas
Experience
5+ years
Listed in
Maryland, Virginia
Languages
English
Frequently asked questions
What kinds of concerns does she help with?
She supports people with stress, anxiety, trauma and abuse, parenting questions, self-esteem struggles, and depression. Young adult issues and relationship-focused problems are part of her practice.
How would she describe her therapeutic style?
Her style is direct and practical with attention to real-life steps. Sessions focus on conversation, problem-solving, and exercises to try between meetings.
How long has she been practicing clinically?
She has five years of clinical counseling experience, plus 15 years working in education as a teacher and administrator before becoming a counselor.
What credentials and location should I know about?
She holds LCPC in Maryland and LPC in Virginia and practices from Maryland. These are the credentials listed for her professional work.
Does she offer sessions in other languages or to international clients?
Sessions are offered in English. She is not currently accepting international clients.
What session formats are available?
The original biography does not list specific session formats. Confirm current session options before booking to know how meetings are conducted.
How are sessions paid for and what does it cost?
Cost varies with location. Sessions use a subscription model that can be canceled at any time; exact pricing depends on the plan and region.
How do I begin if I want to work with her?
Start by selecting the See online therapy options button, complete a short matching questionnaire, and schedule a first session through the platform.
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.