Profile / United States
Melissa Geiger-Dugandzic, LISW
Ohio
LISW - Anxiety and Addictions
See online therapy options- Cognitive Behavioral Therapy
- Mindfulness practices
- First responder support
About Melissa
Melissa Geiger-Dugandzic is an Ohio-licensed independent social worker (LISW) with eight years of clinical experience. She works with adults managing stress, anxiety, addiction, trauma and abuse, and mood concerns. Sessions focus on practical steps you can try between meetings to change unhelpful patterns.
She uses Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) alongside client-centered and mindfulness approaches. That means sessions often include noticing unhelpful thoughts, testing new behaviors, and building everyday coping skills. Melissa also brings elements of Dialectical Behavior Therapy and EMDR when those methods fit a person's needs.
Clients commonly address motivation, self-esteem, and confidence. She has specific experience supporting first responders, veterans, and people dealing with gambling or substance issues. Other concerns she works with include grief, anger, bipolar mood issues, OCD symptoms, and problems related to isolation or money stress.
Sessions are straightforward and goal-oriented. Conversations are arranged so clients can try new ways of responding and then reflect on what worked. Practical tools, brief exercises, and stepwise plans are used when appropriate.
If someone prefers short-term skill building or longer-term work, Melissa adapts the pace and focus to match each person's goals. To begin, people select an online matching step and schedule an initial session to talk about priorities. This helps set clear, achievable next steps.
Practical approaches for online sessions
Melissa uses Cognitive Behavioral Therapy to help people spot thinking patterns that keep problems going and to practice new responses. CBT sessions often include simple exercises and homework aimed at changing habits that raise stress or anxiety.She also draws on client-centered methods, which focus on listening and responding to each person’s priorities to shape what comes next in therapy. Dialectical Behavior Therapy elements are used to teach concrete skills for managing strong emotions and reducing impulsive behaviors.
Finding the best approach is collaborative. The therapist works with each person to decide which methods fit their goals and daily life. That plan can change as progress is made and new needs appear.
Confirm current session options before booking so you know how meetings are scheduled. Online work can make it easier to fit sessions into a busy week, allow shorter check-ins when needed, and reduce travel time. Discussing practical goals, coping strategies, and step-by-step plans works well over remote sessions, and the therapist will help adjust session structure to match your needs and routine.
Areas of expertise
Additional focus areas
Therapeutic approaches
Experience
8+ years
Listed in
Ohio
Languages
English
Frequently asked questions
What concerns does she focus on?
She works with stress, anxiety, addictions, trauma and abuse, mood concerns such as depression and bipolar, and related issues like grief, anger, and self-esteem.
How does she use Cognitive Behavioral Therapy?
CBT is used to identify unhelpful thoughts and habits, test alternative responses, and develop practical skills to reduce symptoms and improve daily functioning.
What is her professional background?
She has eight years of clinical experience and holds the LISW credential. Her work includes supports for first responders, veterans, and adults with gambling or substance concerns.
Where is she licensed to practice?
She is licensed in Ohio as an LISW and practices in that state.
Which languages are sessions offered in?
Sessions are offered in English.
Can people outside the U.S. work with her?
International clients are not currently accepted.
How are session formats arranged?
Please confirm current session options before booking so you know which formats are available for scheduling.
How are fees handled?
Cost varies by location and sessions use a subscription that can be canceled at any time; check pricing details during the matching and scheduling step.
Details come from information the therapist supplied to BetterHelp. A license can be checked with the state board.
Online talk therapy is not emergency care. If you are not safe, use the crisis numbers.