Melissa was born and raised in the Pacific Northwest, living in both Oregon and Washington. She served in the Air Force for 30 years, including a combat touring support of Operation Enduring Freedom in 2014. She has a son who served as an Explosive Ordinance Disposal technician and a daughter who is an Airfield Firefighter. This experience and exposure has helped her understand the demands on military members, first responders, and their families.
While serving in the military, Melissa graduated magna cum laude from American Military University earning her B.S. in Sociology- in addition earning her Master of Social Work degree, magna cum laude from Simmons University in 2022.
Melissa focuses on the whole person and how relationships, environment, and biology influence behavioral health. She is passionate about meeting people where they are and assisting them in their journey to reaching their goals. She uses a mindfulness approach to interventions and collaborates with her clients to choose the best suited way forward. Melissa offers solution focused, motivational interviewing, cognitive behavioral therapy, and has additional training in brainspotting and trauma yoga.
Conditions treated include Anxiety, Depression, PTSD, Trauma, Autism Spectrum, ADD/ADHD, Grief, Anger, substance use, and more.