Melissa Geiger-Dugandzic , LISW

Melissa Geiger-Dugandzic is a Licensed Independent Social Worker (LISW) practicing in Ohio with eight years of professional experience supporting adults facing a wide range of challenges. She specializes in stress and anxiety, mood disorders including depression and bipolar disorder, addictions, trauma and abuse, and issues affecting self-esteem and motivation. Her practice also includes work with LGBT clients, grief and loss, anger management, and the complex needs of first responders and veterans.

Melissa combines evidence-based techniques with a compassionate, client-centered stance, tailoring conversations and treatment plans to each person’s unique situation. She draws on approaches such as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and EMDR when appropriate to address patterns of thought, emotional responses, and the effects of past trauma. Her goal is to empower people to build healthier coping skills, improve self-regard, and pursue more fulfilling lives.

Clients working with Melissa can expect respectful, sensitive engagement that honors their experiences and priorities. She focuses on collaborative goal-setting and practical steps toward change, recognizing that seeking help is a courageous first move. Melissa aims to support and guide individuals as they navigate recovery, healing, and personal growth.

Approaches That Translate Well to Online Therapy

Melissa often uses client-centered therapy, which focuses on creating a respectful, nonjudgmental space where the person’s goals and values guide the work. This approach helps people explore their experiences and build self-direction and confidence.

She also incorporates Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, a practical method that identifies unhelpful thinking patterns and teaches concrete skills for managing anxiety, depression, and addictive behaviors. CBT is well suited to structured online sessions and exercises between meetings.

For clients affected by trauma, Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) can be used to reduce the intensity of distressing memories and support adaptive processing. When appropriate, EMDR techniques can be adapted to remote formats under the guidance of licensed professionals.

Finding the right approach is part of the therapeutic process - Melissa collaborates with each person to determine which methods best match their needs, goals, and preferences.

Online therapy offers flexible ways to engage, including video calls, phone sessions, live chat, and text-based messaging. These options make it easier to fit therapy into a busy life, maintain continuity of care across locations, and choose the communication style that feels most comfortable for the individual.