Melissa Upton , LPC

Melissa Upton is a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) practicing in Mississippi who brings decades of experience working with young people and families in school settings.

She holds a master s and specialist degree in School Counseling from Mississippi State University and is also a National Certified Counselor with NBCC, a national counseling credential. Over a 25-year career in the public school system she supported adolescents through academic planning, career guidance, and a range of emotional and behavioral concerns. Within that work she logged 14 years specifically in school counseling roles, developing expertise in areas such as anger management, depression, anxiety, relationship struggles, ADHD, and coping skills.

Melissa uses a client-centered stance and cognitive behavioral techniques to help clients identify goals, build practical strategies, and restore balance. For career and academic planning she incorporates the RIASEC framework and John Holland s career inventory model to align interests and strengths with vocational choices. She emphasizes respect and compassion in every interaction and aims to create a space where people can be themselves while addressing everyday conflicts and longer-term challenges.

Now expanding into more one-on-one counseling, Melissa seeks to support a wider range of ages and concerns. She encourages those ready to begin a self-help journey toward a more balanced and fulfilling life to reach out for guidance and support.

Client-Centered and Solution-Focused Online Counseling

Client-centered therapy focuses on the person s own goals and experiences, offering an accepting environment where the therapist listens, reflects, and supports self-directed growth. This approach helps people who want to explore emotions, strengthen self-esteem, or navigate relationship and family issues.

Solution-focused therapy concentrates on identifying practical steps and small changes that lead toward preferred outcomes. It is useful for clients seeking concrete strategies for stress, anxiety, parenting challenges, or life transitions and often produces forward-moving results in a relatively brief time frame.

Choosing the right approach is part of the therapeutic process and Melissa collaborates with each client to determine what fits best based on needs, goals, and preferences. Together they evaluate what methods feel most useful and adjust the plan as progress is made.

Online sessions by video call, phone, live chat, or text-based messaging offer flexibility for busy schedules, allow consistent support from a licensed professional regardless of distance within the region, and make it easier to maintain momentum between appointments. These options help clients access care in ways that match their routines and comfort levels.