Melissa holds a Master’s degree from North Dakota State University with a concentration in Marriage and Family Therapy, and child development, and a B.A. from Concordia College, Moorhead, Minnesota. She is a Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker, a certified MAP Therapist, (evidenced based practice), and trained in EMDR and Trauma Focused Cognitive Behavior Therapy. Melissa has over 20 years of experience providing individual and family therapy to children, adolescents and their families in both outpatient and in-home settings.
Melissa has two children, a daughter pursuing a master’s degree in New York, and a son attending college in Colorado. She enjoys cooking, yoga, paddle boarding, music, sports, pets, and traveling (especially to visit her children).
Melissa’s clinical work focuses on utilizing and building on children’s, teen’s and family’s strengths, instilling hope, and working collaboratively to develop treatment goals and create positive change. Her clinical work includes taking a developmental and systemic perspective that incorporates psychoeducation, play therapy, CBT, Mindfulness, and EMDR.
Her specialties/areas of interest include; Adjustment, anxiety, ADHD, Depression, trauma, grief, loss, ASD, sensory integration difficulties, gender nonconforming, parent guidance, and family change/transitions.