Hello there!
I have been a therapist for the past seven years. I am licensed with the Minnesota Board of Behavioral Health, as a Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor (LPCC). I am also licensed in the state of Wisconsin as a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC). I am a board approved supervisor to counselors not yet licensed.
I have provided counseling to various populations including: children, adolescents, adults and families. My work is relationally focused. I view the role of the therapist as one of a fellow traveler on the client’s journey to better health. I am a firm believer in the client is the expert of their experience, and the client needs to be consulted on appropriate treatment goal(s) for their journey to better health. I like to view myself as a teacher, advocate, and role model for the client. I hope to create an environment of open communication, firstly as a human and secondly as a therapist. I feel like my presence does not create the change within the client, but I am an agent for change. I am affirming and find value in a trusting therapeutic relationship as a place of healing and support. Through the therapeutic process, I hope to model pro-social behavior that alleviates emotional distress for the client, in which the client feels comfortable enough to try on these new behaviors in session and then in the real world.
I understand that seeking therapy can be scary and stigmatizing; however, I hope to break down the therapy stigma with you. I honor and respect the decision to seek out therapy just because wanting to do that is enough. I look forward to working with you on your journey to better health.
Warmly,
Melissa Essien, MA, LPCC
Additional areas of focus: Trauma and abuse, Grief, Intimacy-related issues, Anger management, Self esteem, Bipolar disorder, Coping with life changes, Compassion fatigue, ADHD
MN LPCC 1438