Profile / United States
Melissa Wooden, LPC
Virginia
Licensed Professional Counselor - Anxiety and Addictions
See online therapy options- CBT strategies
- DBT skills
- Motivational interviewing
About Melissa
Melissa Wooden is a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) practicing in Virginia with three years of clinical experience. She focuses on stress, anxiety, addictions, anger, self-esteem, and depression. Melissa speaks English and accepts international clients.
Her work is straightforward and practical. She helps people notice unhelpful thoughts and habits, then tests different ways of responding. Conversations are interactive and focused on real-life changes. Sessions aim to leave people with clear steps they can try between meetings.
Melissa draws on Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) to identify thinking patterns that keep problems going. She also uses Client-Centered techniques to track what matters most to each person. Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) skills and Motivational Interviewing show up when people are managing strong feelings or substance use.
She guides clients through short exercises and simple experiments. That can mean tracking moods, testing a different behavior, or practicing a phrase for a tough conversation. The emphasis is on what works in day-to-day life, not on long lectures.
Melissa also addresses issues like communication problems, guilt and shame, loneliness, life purpose, obsessive thoughts, and social anxiety. She can help people who are facing drug or alcohol concerns to explore motivation and next steps.
Before you book, confirm the current session options and logistics. Melissa asks new clients to complete a short matching questionnaire and schedule a first session once the match is made.
How CBT and related approaches work in online sessions
Melissa commonly uses Cognitive Behavioral Therapy to help people spot patterns in thoughts and behaviors and then try small, practical changes. CBT sessions focus on clear goals, simple homework, and measuring what helps. Client-Centered work centers the conversation on the person's priorities and responses, giving space to clarify values and what matters most. Dialectical Behavior Therapy adds concrete skills for handling strong emotions, managing distress, and improving interpersonal effectiveness.Choosing the right approach is part of the process. Melissa will collaborate with each person to decide which methods fit their goals and preferences. That means checking in about what feels useful and adjusting techniques over time rather than sticking to a single method.
Confirm the current session options before booking, as formats are not specified here. Online work can make it easier to fit sessions into a busy schedule, reduce travel time, allow shorter check-ins when needed, and let people join without being on camera if they prefer. Talk with Melissa after the matching questionnaire to learn which formats she offers and how to arrange sessions that fit daily life.
Areas of expertise
Primary focus
Additional focus areas
Therapeutic approaches
Experience
3+ years
Listed in
Virginia
Languages
English
Frequently asked questions
What concerns does she address most often?
She focuses on stress, anxiety, addictions, anger, low self-esteem, and depression, plus related issues like communication problems and loneliness.
How does she use Cognitive Behavioral Therapy?
She uses CBT to identify unhelpful thoughts and test new responses through short experiments and practical exercises.
What is her background and experience?
Melissa has three years of experience as a practicing counselor in mental health settings working with mood, anxiety, and substance concerns.
What credential does she hold and where is she based?
She is a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) licensed in Virginia and practices from that location.
In what languages can sessions be conducted?
Sessions are offered in English.
Can people outside the United States work with her?
She accepts international clients; confirm any regional considerations before booking.
How are sessions paid for and what does it cost?
Cost varies with location and sessions use a subscription model that can be canceled at any time.
What are the steps to begin working together?
Use the See online therapy options button, complete a short matching questionnaire, and then schedule your first session.
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.