I’m very happy with the relationship I’m building with Melissa. She is easy to talk to, shows empathy and understanding, and helps to ground you. Her guidance has been helpful and gives me the sense of having the outlet I need. I’m looking forward to my continued relationship with her.
Melissa Smith, LCSW
Experienced mental health professional
Provides online counseling through BetterHelp
At a glance
Melissa is an experienced, licensed Mental Health Professional who specializes in affordable online therapy offered through our partner, BetterHelp.
- 5.0 stars
- Clients are very satisfied with Melissa. View 2 reviews
- Great news, Melissa is accepting new clients!
- She is normally fully-booked.
- Speaks English
- Offers Telehealth visits
- Licensed in Florida
Recent reviews
Melissa is a kind, genuine, and relatable person. She knows how to help you feel comfortable at the beginning of sessions to ease off any nervousness as well as listening to me and accurately hearing me to the point where I feel completely understood and “held” during sessions. She’s awesome!
More about Melissa
- 14 years' experience
- Female
- LCSW
Hi, my name is Melissa and I am a Licensed Clinical Social Worker. I have been a clinical counselor for over 14 years with my undergrad and graduate degrees in social work. My calling has always been in mental health; however I have also worked in domestic violence, child welfare, substance abuse, school social work and working with our men and women in the military and their dependents. My approach to therapy is a simple one...to meet my clients where they are. Life can be difficult, I want to provide a safe, confidential space to help you work through whatever challenges you may be experiencing. I am experienced in working with depression, anxiety, stress, self esteem, grief/loss, domestic violence, substance abuse and many other mental health disorders and life challenges. I feel with my whole heart that we all benefit by having someone outside of our personal circle to process our thoughts and emotions with. Therapy looks different for everyone. In therapy I use Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Solution Focused Therapy, Motivational Interviewing, Mindfulness and many times an Eclectic approach to meet the individual needs of my clients. Whether this is your first time (kudos to you for taking this step) or if you are looking for a new therapist to help you address your concerns and goals, I look forward to working through life’s challenges with you.
Specialties
Stress
Anxiety
Anger management
Self esteem
Depression
Coping with life changes
Addictions
Relationship issues
Family conflicts
Trauma and abuse
Grief
Intimacy-related issues
Sleeping disorders
Parenting issues
Career difficulties
Bipolar disorder
Compassion fatigue
ADHD
Caregiver issues and stress
Commitment issues
Coping with natural or human-caused disaster
Domestic violence
Family problems
Forgiveness
Mood disorders
Panic disorder and panic attacks
Post-traumatic stress
Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD)
Self-love
Social anxiety and phobia
Women's issues
Young adult issues
Treatment Approaches
- Client-Centered Therapy
- Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
- Mindfulness Therapy
- Motivational Interviewing
- Solution-Focused Therapy
Licenses
Melissa Smith's National Provider Identifier (NPI) is 1093053282.
- LCSW · Florida · SW13405 · Expires March 2025
About online counseling
- Affordable.
- Pay a low flat fee.
- Convenient.
- Do it at your own time and at your own pace. Communicate whenever you feel it's needed.
- Available now.
- There is no waiting list and no calls to make. Simply fill out a short questionnaire and send your first message.
Online counseling, also known as teletherapy, is a method of delivering mental health services through digital means such as video conferencing, phone calls, or messaging platforms. It can be an ideal option for individuals who have difficulty accessing traditional therapy due to geographical distance, time constraints, or personal preferences like privacy and comfort. Many people find it easier to open up from the familiarity of their own space.
Teletherapy has been found to be highly effective, with studies showing that it can produce similar outcomes to in-person therapy, particularly for issues like anxiety, depression, and PTSD. The flexibility and accessibility it offers make it a valuable alternative to conventional therapy settings.
Reviews for Melissa Smith
All reviews have been submitted by clients after seeing the provider.
Overall rating:
I’m very happy with the relationship I’m building with Melissa. She is easy to talk to, shows empathy and understanding, and helps to ground you. Her guidance has been helpful and gives me the sense of having the outlet I need. I’m looking forward to my continued relationship with her.
Melissa is a kind, genuine, and relatable person. She knows how to help you feel comfortable at the beginning of sessions to ease off any nervousness as well as listening to me and accurately hearing me to the point where I feel completely understood and “held” during sessions. She’s awesome!
Frequently asked questions
Does Melissa Smith offer telehealth visits?
Yes. Melissa Smith works with clients by exchanging messages, chatting live, speaking over the phone, or video conferencing based on what works for the client at that particular time.
What language(s) does Melissa Smith speak?
Melissa Smith speaks English.
How many years of experience does Melissa Smith have?
Melissa Smith has 14 years of experience.
Where is Melissa Smith licensed to practice?
Melissa Smith is licensed to practice in Florida.
Does Melissa Smith accept clients outside of the United States?
No, Melissa Smith does not accept clients outside of the United States.
Is online therapy as effective as in-person therapy?
Numerous studies support the effectiveness of online platforms in facilitating life changes. For instance, research published by JMIR Publications, conducted by teams from the University of Berkeley, UCSF, and SF General Hospital, found that "users of BetterHelp experienced significantly reduced depression symptom severity after engaging with the platform."
What treatment approaches does Melissa Smith offer?
Melissa Smith offers clients Client-Centered Therapy, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Mindfulness Therapy, Motivational Interviewing, and Solution-Focused Therapy.
How can I communicate with Melissa Smith?
Melissa Smith can be engaged in any one of four ways: (1) Exchanging messages, (2) chatting live, (3) speaking over the phone, or (4) video conferencing. You can use different ways at different times as you wish, based on your needs, availability, and convenience.
How do I get started with Melissa Smith?
Just tap the CHAT NOW button or tap here: A new window will open and you'll be directed to a simple form that will help start the conversation. Please note: It can take up to a few days to be matched to a therapist.
Mental health conditions are real, common, and treatable.
And recovery is possible.
When you tap CHAT NOW a new window will open and you'll be directed to a simple form that will help start the conversation. Please note: It can take up to a few days to be matched to a therapist.