- Stress and anxiety
- CBT and mindfulness
- Career and life changes
About Melissa
Melissa Smith is a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) in Missouri with 23 years of experience. She focuses on stress, anxiety, self-esteem, depression, bipolar issues, addictions, relationship and family concerns, trauma and abuse, grief, and young adult issues. Melissa works in English and brings long-term clinical experience to everyday problems.
Her approach is practical and person-focused. Sessions are straightforward conversations aimed at making difficulties easier to manage. She uses familiar methods such as client-centered listening, cognitive behavioral strategies, mindfulness practices, and motivational interviewing to help people notice patterns and try new ways of coping.
Melissa often helps people facing major life transitions. That includes starting careers, managing changing family roles, or navigating relationship and intimacy questions. She also supports those dealing with mood disorders, ADHD, and workplace stress through goal-focused work and problem-solving.
Her work includes addressing caregiver stress, aging and geriatric issues, codependency, guilt and shame, and feelings of emptiness or isolation. Clients looking to clarify life purpose, explore career concerns, or work on forgiveness and grief can expect direct, step-by-step planning alongside reflective talk.
Over two decades of practice have shaped a steady, clear style. Newer clients are guided through small, achievable steps. Melissa encourages practice between sessions so progress can show up in daily life.
How her approaches work online
Client-Centered Therapy focuses on listening and reflecting what a person says. It helps people feel heard and clarifies what matters most to them. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) looks at thinking and behavior patterns and uses short exercises to change unhelpful habits; it is often used for anxiety, depression, and stress. Mindfulness Therapy teaches simple awareness practices to reduce reactivity and improve focus, which can help with emotion regulation and cravings. Choosing the right approach is part of the work. Melissa will collaborate with each person to decide which methods match their goals and preferences. That means trying techniques, checking what helps, and adjusting the plan together. Confirm the exact session formats before booking, as the profile does not list specific online options. Online work can make it easier to fit therapy into a busy schedule, allow shorter or more frequent check-ins when needed, and reduce travel time so sessions can happen between classes or at a break from work. Licensed professionals can adapt exercises for video or phone sessions and suggest simple between-session practices that fit into everyday life.Areas of expertise
Primary focus
Also works with
Additional focus areas
Therapeutic approaches
Experience
23+ years
Listed in
Missouri
Languages
English
Frequently asked questions
What concerns does she work with?
She works with stress, anxiety, mood disorders including depression and bipolar, addictions, relationship and family issues, trauma, grief, and young adult issues among others.
What is her therapy style like?
Sessions focus on practical conversation and client-centered listening. She blends cognitive behavioral techniques, mindfulness, motivational interviewing, and psychodynamic ideas as needed.
How much experience does she have?
Melissa has 23 years of professional counseling experience in clinical settings.
Where is she licensed and based?
She is an LPC licensed in Missouri and practices there.
Which languages are supported?
Sessions are offered in English.
Can people outside the US work with her?
She does not accept international clients at this time.
How are sessions paid for?
Cost varies by location and sessions use a subscription that can be canceled at any time.
How do I begin working 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.