Motivational Interviewing Therapists in Leesburg, VA

My experience includes working with individuals of various ages to address topics such as addiction, learning about their mental health diagnosis, depression, anxiety, OCD, family conflict, life changes, and history of abuse. Each discussion is specific to your needs and what makes you feel most comfortable. My goal is to work with you and help you identify the goals you want to achieve and the best path to take to get there.

Congratulations on taking the first step toward healing and change! You may have experienced a recent event that has immobilized you. Or perhaps you have been feeling this way for quite sometime. The emotions you are experiencing may be the result of the death of loved one, infertility experiences, pregnancy loss, adoption experiences, chronic or terminal illnesses, divorce, job loss or retirement, or other life transitions. You may be feeling as though others don't understand. Together we will create a meaningful therapeutic connection; together we will explore your feelings - in a non-judgmental, open and safe space.

I believe that everyone has the capacity for growth and positive change. You are likely reading my page because you are seeking this type of change. I'm here to help you make things more manageable and to help you increase you satisfaction in life. Reaching out for help might be difficult and somewhat scary but it doesn’t have to be. My style of counseling is laid back, non-judgmental and accepting. Once we get started the initial anxiety of getting setup will ease and we can start working toward the goals that you have in mind or that I can help you find.

When you find yourself overwhelmed, stressed out, and unfulfilled, sometimes it feels easier to stay stuck on the treadmill of life than take the terrifying step of figuring out where it is you really want to go. You’ve taken on the worries and responsibilities of those around you because it’s safer to help them with their problems and push yours off to “deal with later.” Then one morning, you look in the mirror and don’t recognize the person staring back at you. You realize that the life you have feels so different then how you expected it to be, leaving you feeling lost and confused.

Each life stage brings a particular set of challenges and opportunities, much of which we can handle on our own. When you need someone to listen and to help you find your way, working with a counselor like me can be a wonderful option. My focus is on quickly building a foundation of respect, empathy, and support for our work together, to help you understand yourself better and get back to living the life you want. My clients come to me for help with issues like: life transitions, relationships, making decisions, changing goals, worries/sadness, grief/loss, and more.

I work with clients and families who are looking to take back control of their lives. I work with individuals across the life span who are experiencing life changes, increased stress, trauma, anxiety, mood dysregulation, low self-esteem or just needing a space of reprieve. I have experience working with Multicultural/ Minority Groups, LGBTQ populations, non-religious and religious clients, medical and first responder related service professionals, children/parent relations and a number of other populations. My client’s end session with the goal of leaving in a better space then when they entered.

Welcome! My name is Melissa. I have been described as "calm, gentle, soft-spoken, serene, an excellent listener, non-judgmental, open, kind, thoughtful, accepting, welcoming and heartfelt." Together, we can create a safe space for you to set down your burdens, invite your emotions for a cup of tea and conversation, and begin exploring all of the possibilities and potential that life has to offer you. "I wish I could show you when you are lonely or in darkness the astonishing light of your own being.” - The poet Hafez of Persia