- Compassionate listener
- Practical coping skills
- Short-term goal focus
About Melissa
Melissa Benson is a licensed mental health counselor with 24 years of experience helping people manage stress, anxiety, grief, depression, and life changes. She offers calm, practical support for issues like addiction, sleeping problems, parenting strain, relationship and intimacy concerns, and attention-related challenges such as ADHD.
She focuses on straightforward conversation and developing plans that fit each person’s situation. Sessions are guided by what the client needs that week, whether that means learning new coping skills, working through painful memories, or trying small behavior changes to improve daily life.
Her approach centers on listening without judgment and tailoring strategies to individual goals. Melissa uses client-centered methods alongside cognitive behavioral techniques and mindfulness practices to help people notice and shift thoughts and habits that get in the way.
She also draws on motivational interviewing and solution-focused work when people want concrete steps and short-term progress. That can mean setting practical goals, breaking them into manageable tasks, and tracking what helps over time.
Melissa works in Florida as an LMHC - Licensed Mental Health Counselor and as an LCMHC - Licensed Clinical Mental Health Counselor. She meets people where they are and supports steady, realistic change. If you want a compassionate clinician who emphasizes clear steps and everyday habit changes, she may be a good fit.
She focuses on straightforward conversation and developing plans that fit each person’s situation. Sessions are guided by what the client needs that week, whether that means learning new coping skills, working through painful memories, or trying small behavior changes to improve daily life.
Her approach centers on listening without judgment and tailoring strategies to individual goals. Melissa uses client-centered methods alongside cognitive behavioral techniques and mindfulness practices to help people notice and shift thoughts and habits that get in the way.
She also draws on motivational interviewing and solution-focused work when people want concrete steps and short-term progress. That can mean setting practical goals, breaking them into manageable tasks, and tracking what helps over time.
Melissa works in Florida as an LMHC - Licensed Mental Health Counselor and as an LCMHC - Licensed Clinical Mental Health Counselor. She meets people where they are and supports steady, realistic change. If you want a compassionate clinician who emphasizes clear steps and everyday habit changes, she may be a good fit.
Areas of expertise
Also works with
AddictionsLGBTRelationship issuesFamily conflictsTrauma and abuseIntimacy-related issuesEating disordersSleeping disordersParenting issuesAnger managementSelf esteemBipolar disorder
Additional focus areas
Aging and geriatric issuesAntisocial personalityAvoidant personalityBody imageCodependencyCommitment issuesCommunication problemsCoping with natural or human-caused disasterDependent personalityDivorce and separationDrug and alcohol addictionEating and food-related issuesEmptinessFamily problemsFatherhood issuesGuilt and shameHearing impairedHoardingInfidelityIsolation / lonelinessJealousyLife purposeMidlife crisisVeteran and Armed Forces IssuesMood disordersNarcissismObsessions, compulsions, and OCDPanic disorder and panic attacksPhobiasPolyamory / non-monogamous relationshipsPostpartum depressionPost-traumatic stressSelf-loveSocial anxiety and phobiaWomen's issuesYoung adult issues
Therapeutic approaches
Client-Centered TherapyCognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)Mindfulness TherapyMotivational InterviewingSolution-Focused TherapyTrauma-Focused Therapy
Experience
24+ years
Credentials
Florida, Utah
Languages
English
How Melissa Uses Practical Approaches Online
Melissa blends client-centered work with cognitive behavioral therapy and mindfulness to help people change unhelpful thoughts and everyday habits. Client-centered work focuses on listening and shaping the session around each person’s goals, while cognitive behavioral therapy looks at the links between thoughts, feelings, and actions to create specific behavior changes. Mindfulness therapy teaches simple attention and breathing practices to reduce reactivity and improve sleep and focus.Finding the right approach is part of the process. Melissa will collaborate with each person to decide which methods fit best based on goals and preferences. That collaboration may begin with a few sessions to try different tools and then settle on what feels most useful for daily life.
If you prefer online sessions, confirm the current session options before booking. Online work can make it easier to fit therapy into a busy schedule, shorten travel time, and allow for a quick check-in on a break from work. It also lets people practice new skills in their usual environments and bring real-life situations into the conversation.
Frequently asked questions
What concerns does Melissa help with?
She supports people dealing with stress, anxiety, grief, depression, addictions, ADHD, relationship and intimacy issues, sleep and eating concerns, parenting strain, and related life changes.
How would you describe her therapeutic style?
Her style is straightforward and person-focused. She listens without judgment and tailors conversations to each person’s needs.
How much experience does she have?
She brings 24 years of professional work experience in mental health settings and clinical practice.
What credentials and location are listed?
She holds LMHC and LCMHC credentials and practices in Florida.
Which languages are sessions offered in?
Sessions are offered in English.
Are international clients supported?
International clients are not currently accepted.
How are costs handled?
Cost varies with location and therapist availability; sessions use a subscription that can be canceled at any time.
What are the steps to begin working together?
Use the Start Therapy button, complete a short matching questionnaire, and schedule according to the therapist’s availability.