Profile / United States
Melissa Smith, LPC
Missouri
LPC counselor - anxiety and depression
See online therapy options- Anxiety
- Depression
- CBT techniques
About Melissa
Melissa Smith is a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) in Missouri with 23 years of experience. She focuses on common life stresses such as anxiety, depression, anger, low self-esteem, motivation, and coping with change. Melissa also addresses issues like addiction, grief, trauma, intimacy concerns, and workplace stress.
She uses straightforward, practical methods to help people notice unhelpful thoughts and habits. Sessions tend to look at what gets in the way of day-to-day functioning and try different, manageable ways of responding. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy is one of the approaches she includes when it fits a person’s goals.
Her work also draws on client-centered listening and mindfulness practices to slow down intense feelings and increase present-moment awareness. She uses motivational interviewing techniques when people want help building readiness for change. Psychodynamic ideas may be brought in to look at repeating patterns that affect current relationships and emotions.
Sessions are conversational and action-focused. Melissa helps people set small, realistic steps they can try between meetings. She emphasizes clear, concrete tools rather than long lectures or vague advice.
People who reach out can expect calm, practical guidance on problem-solving and emotion management. The focus is on making everyday life easier to manage and on helping clients try specific changes that fit their routines.
How Melissa uses structured approaches in online sessions
Melissa draws on Cognitive Behavioral Therapy to help people identify and change unhelpful thinking and behavior patterns. CBT is practical and focuses on specific problems like anxiety, mood issues, and coping with life changes.She also uses client-centered methods to provide attentive listening and to base work on each person's goals. Mindfulness therapy is used to help slow down strong emotions and build tolerance for difficult moments.
Finding the right mix of approaches is part of the work. She will collaborate with each person to decide which methods match their goals and preferences and will adjust the plan as progress is made.
Session formats are not specified in the biography, so confirm current online options before booking. Online work can make it easier to fit sessions into a busy week, allow shorter check-ins when needed, and reduce time spent traveling to appointments. Licensed professionals can use these formats to focus on skill practice, homework, and problem-solving between meetings.
Areas of expertise
Primary focus
Also works with
Additional focus areas
Therapeutic approaches
Experience
23+ years
Listed in
Missouri
Languages
English
Frequently asked questions
Which concerns does she commonly address?
She works with stress, anxiety, depression, anger, low self-esteem, motivation problems, and coping with life changes. Additional focuses include addiction, grief, trauma, intimacy issues, workplace stress, and caregiver concerns.
What is her therapeutic style?
Her approach is practical and action-oriented. She helps people notice unhelpful thoughts and try concrete changes between sessions.
How long has she practiced?
She has 23 years of professional experience as a counselor in Missouri.
What are her credentials and location?
She is a Licensed Professional Counselor, LPC, practicing in Missouri.
Which languages are supported?
Sessions are offered in English.
Can people outside the U.S. work with her?
She does not accept international clients at this time.
How are session formats handled?
Please confirm current session options before booking, as formats are not specified in the profile. Confirm which formats are offered when you schedule.
How is cost handled?
Cost varies with location and sessions use a subscription that can be canceled at any time. Check pricing details during the sign-up process.
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.