Melissa Strauss , LPC

Melissa Strauss is a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) with 13 years of experience working with individuals, couples, and families. She approaches therapy with warmth and engagement, drawing on a strengths-based perspective that views each person as resourceful and capable of growth. Melissa values collaboration and believes clients bring important insight to the process, shaping sessions so that clients feel a sense of agency over their time and goals.

Her clinical practice integrates a range of therapeutic methods, including Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and Emotionally Focused Therapy, and she tailors interventions to meet the specific needs of each client. Melissa has experience addressing depression, anxiety, relationship and family dynamics, trauma, sexual identity work, infertility concerns, parenting challenges, and school and career issues. She emphasizes practical skills alongside deeper relational and identity work, helping clients build coping strategies while exploring patterns that affect their lives.

Known for a warm, engaging style, Melissa creates a respectful environment where clients can explore difficult topics and identify strengths to support lasting change. She brings both clinical expertise and a collaborative stance to each therapeutic relationship, adapting her approach to align with the client’s goals and circumstances.

Therapeutic Approaches and Online Care

Melissa Strauss integrates Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, Attachment-Based Therapy, and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy into her clinical work, adapting these approaches to fit each client's needs. Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) encourages clients to clarify personal values and to take action in ways that align with those values while learning to accept difficult thoughts and feelings - it can be useful for managing stress, anxiety, and life transitions. Attachment-Based Therapy focuses on how early and current relationship patterns influence emotional responses and closeness, helping clients address intimacy, relationship conflict, and family dynamics. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) helps clients identify and shift unhelpful thought patterns and behaviors, offering practical tools for symptoms like low mood, worry, and difficulty coping.

Choosing the right approach is a collaborative process. Melissa works with clients to explore which methods fit their goals, preferences, and presenting concerns, and she tailors treatment over time rather than relying on a single model. This collaborative stance helps ensure therapy feels relevant and effective for each person.

Online therapy offers flexible options for connecting with a licensed professional. Melissa provides sessions by video call, phone, live chat, or text-based messaging, allowing clients to access support from home or while managing busy schedules. These formats make it easier to maintain consistency in care and to integrate therapeutic work into everyday life.