Melissa Guarnaccia , LISW-CP, LCSW

Melissa Guarnaccia is a psychotherapist with eleven years of experience who supports individuals and families as they work toward meaningful change. She blends evidence-based methods with a relaxed, open-minded, and nonjudgmental approach while maintaining a focus on practical, action-oriented steps to help clients make progress. Her clinical training includes Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, and Solution-Focused Therapy, which she adapts to the needs of children, adolescents, and adults in settings that have included hospitals, schools, and private practice.

Melissa’s specialties include anxiety, depression, relationship concerns, family conflict, parenting issues, trauma and abuse, grief, self-esteem, and a range of other emotional and behavioral challenges. She is also a certified instructor in Parenting with Love & Logic and offers community workshops that teach practical parenting strategies rooted in calm, consistent boundaries.

She earned a BA in Psychology from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and a Master’s Degree in Social Work from the University of North Carolina at Charlotte. Melissa holds LISW-CP and LCSW credentials - LISW-CP denotes a licensed independent social worker with clinical practice experience, and LCSW stands for Licensed Clinical Social Worker - reflecting advanced social work training and clinical qualifications. Originally from Charlotte, North Carolina, she is married and a mother of two boys and a pug named Mabel, and she enjoys spending time outdoors and traveling with her family.

Therapeutic Approaches and Online Care

Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) helps clients clarify what matters most to them and learn skills to act in alignment with those values despite painful thoughts or feelings. It is often useful for anxiety, depression, and issues where avoidance interferes with living a meaningful life.

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) focuses on identifying and changing unhelpful thinking patterns and behaviors that contribute to emotional distress. It is commonly used for anxiety, mood concerns, stress management, and relationship difficulties, offering concrete strategies to reduce symptoms and improve daily functioning.

Finding the right therapeutic approach is part of the process, and Melissa works collaboratively with each person to determine which methods best fit their needs, goals, and preferences. She combines practical tools with compassionate guidance so clients can try approaches and adjust treatment together over time.

Online therapy options include video calls, phone sessions, live chat, and text-based messaging, which make it easier to schedule sessions around work, family, and travel. These modalities increase flexibility and accessibility, allowing therapists and licensed professionals to tailor the format to a client’s routine and communication style while maintaining consistent, goal-oriented care.