Life presents itself with stunning beauty and profound pain. With extensive personal and professional exploration of mind, body, and emotions over the years, I am here to offer a reminder: there is hope, and you are not alone.
Hello! I'm Melissa, a Licensed Professional Counselor and Certified Clinical Ecotherapist based in Nashville, Tennessee. I am also licensed in Kentucky. Originally from Texas, I relocated to Nashville in 1992 to pursue my Master's degree in counseling at Vanderbilt University.
Georgetown, CO
The Why
I understand the feeling of being lost, wondering if you'll ever truly live authentically—find your voice, your place, your self and step away from the belief of being "too much, but not enough." I'm here to normalize this: it's okay to be where you are right now. I provide a safe space to support your mental health, offer insight, and walk alongside you as you take steps towards becoming who you envision yourself to be.
With confidence, I can now affirm that I am passionate, creative, intuitive, funny, adventurous, and a fierce student and seeker. I am deeply loving and deeply loved—a perfectly imperfect human who has not always been able to voice, feel, or recognize these qualities. My motivation is simple—I genuinely want to offer you that hope.
Mammoth Cave
The What
Most importantly, (and the reason you are here) lies in my role as an archaeologist of the self and soul. By integrating these facets with my passion and dedication, I orchestrate a transformative journey, guiding you in reclaiming lost fragments of yourself. My role will be to:
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Explore alongside you as you delicately unearth parts long buried beneath layers of coping and survival.
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Educate you as you learn to identify and nurture these discovered parts, now in the light.
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Examine and sift with you, helping discern what belongs, how it connects, and which parts are not yours to carry.
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Encourage you as you curate and revitalize these treasures and unearthed aspects through narrative and significance.
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Empower you to embrace the perfectly imperfect you—the seemingly forgotten or undiscovered aspects of yourself—now found and invaluable.
The How and Where
My therapeutic approach is grounded in research, yet remains eclectic and personalized. I believe in the individualized nature of healing—there's no one-size-fits-all approach. My practice integrates traditional talk therapy, somatic techniques such as EMDR and movement therapy, parts work, archetypal exploration, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), active meditation, and ecotherapy. Additionally, for those seeking alternative perspectives, I am open to exploring and creating therapy experiences that support esoteric and unconventional beliefs.
I work with adults, couples, and groups—offering sessions in my office, online, in designated outdoor spaces, and in group settings. This flexibility allows me to provide uniquely tailored intensives and ecotherapy sessions. Above all, my dedication is to cultivate a safe and supportive environment where you can discover your sanctuary and embark on a transformative journey—embracing the recovery of your authentic self.
The Who
My clients include individuals struggling with depression, anxiety, grief, family of origin challenges, neurodivergence, and distress around societal and environmental concerns. I also specialize in supporting creative clients and those navigating major life changes. As a member of the LGBTQIA+ community myself, I am especially attuned to working with individuals who identify as such. For those reconstructing their beliefs and identities after experiencing harmful religious environments or unhealthy family systems, my practice offers a safe haven.
All people. All beliefs. All are welcome - and embraced.