Melissa Dawicki , LPC

Melissa Dawicki is a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) based in South Carolina with more than 17 years of experience in behavioral health. She has supported individuals and families across community mental health, emergency room settings, private practice, and telehealth, bringing practical skills and steady encouragement to people facing a wide range of life challenges.

Her clinical focus spans stress and anxiety, grief and loss, anger and self-esteem concerns, depression, relationship and family difficulties, sleep problems, career transitions, bipolar disorder, coping with life changes, and compassion fatigue. She also has experience addressing issues related to blended families, caregiver stress, chronic illness and pain, communication and commitment problems, and other complex family dynamics.

Melissa draws from evidence-informed approaches to tailor care to each person’s needs, including Client-Centered therapy, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), and mindfulness-informed techniques. She emphasizes collaboration, feedback, and practical strategies so clients can build skills and move toward meaningful change at a manageable pace.

Her practice includes clear expectations about scheduling and participation. She typically checks messages two to three times per day Monday through Thursday until midafternoon, holds appointment hours Monday through Thursday 9:00 am to 5:00 pm Eastern Time with a lunch break at noon, and does not see clients on weekends or after 5:00 pm. Clients are asked to engage consistently, as meaningful progress often requires sustained work, and she may recommend alternative care if a client does not engage or if a presenting concern is better suited to a different setting. Before beginning work together she reviews informed consent, mandated reporting obligations, and collects emergency contact information.

Therapeutic Approaches and Online Care

Melissa integrates approaches that support practical skill building and emotional exploration. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) focuses on identifying unhelpful thoughts and patterns and developing concrete strategies to change behaviors and improve mood - it is often useful for anxiety, depression, and stress-related concerns.

Client-Centered Therapy emphasizes a respectful, nonjudgmental therapeutic relationship where the client’s goals and experiences guide the work; this approach helps people gain self-understanding and build confidence in making life changes.

Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) combines mindfulness and values-based action to help clients accept difficult emotions while committing to steps that align with what matters most, which can be helpful for chronic stress, avoidance, and navigating life transitions.

Finding the right approach is part of the therapeutic process, and Melissa collaborates with each person to determine which methods fit their needs, goals, and preferences. She tailors techniques and adjusts the plan over time so therapy feels purposeful and manageable.

Online therapy offers flexibility that makes it easier to fit care into a busy life - sessions can occur by video call, phone, live chat, or text-based messaging. These options allow clients to access consistent support from licensed professionals without travel, accommodate varying schedules, and choose the format that best supports their comfort and progress.