My name is Melissa, and I’ve been working in the field of mental health and addiction for 29 years. Over the course of my career, I’ve supported individuals and families in a wide range of settings, from hospitals and community programs to private practice. These experiences have shaped my belief that therapy doesn’t need to be a long, painful process. Instead, it can be a focused, empowering space where you get practical support for the challenges you’re facing right now.
My approach is strength-based and solution-focused, helping you build on what’s already working while developing new skills to move forward. I am a calm, nonjudgmental, and down-to-earth therapist who values honesty, humor, and authenticity in the therapy room. I’m passionate about this work and committed to creating a space where you feel heard, understood, and supported.
I truly enjoy helping people get unstuck, gain clarity, and experience meaningful change. My goal is to make your time with me both productive and positive—so you leave each session feeling a little lighter, more capable, and more hopeful than when you arrived.
Additional areas of focus: Addictions, Relationship issues, Intimacy-related issues, Eating disorders, Parenting issues, Anger management, Self esteem, Career difficulties, Bipolar disorder, Coping with life changes, Coaching, Compassion fatigue, Abandonment, Blended family issues, Caregiver issues and stress, Co-morbidity, Codependency, Communication problems, Control issues, Divorce and separation, Domestic violence, Drug and alcohol addiction, Family problems, First responder issues, Guilt and shame, Impulsivity, Life purpose, Midlife crisis, Mood disorders, Obsessions, compulsions, and OCD, Panic disorder and panic attacks, Postpartum depression, Post-traumatic stress, Pregnancy and childbirth, Process addiction (porn, exercise, gambling), Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD), Self-harm, Sexual assault and abuse, Smoking / vaping cessation, Social anxiety and phobia, Women's issues, Workplace issues, Young adult issues
Clinical approaches: Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Attachment-Based Therapy, Client-Centered Therapy, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), Emotionally-Focused Therapy (EFT), Existential Therapy, Mindfulness Therapy, Motivational Interviewing, Narrative Therapy, Solution-Focused Therapy, Trauma-Focused Therapy
ME LCSW LC18215
NH LCSW 5092
These quotes represent just a few of the many positive reviews that we have received for Melissa Fernald. We don't pay anyone to provide their review and they are all made voluntarily. Some people's experience receiving therapy with BetterHelp might be different.
Melissa shows interest in what I am saying by listening, asking clarification questions and paraphrasing what she heard. Melissa has provided me some wonderful worksheets to use along with wonderful feedback.
Written on Dec 08, 2022 after therapy with Melissa for 2 weeks on issues concerning depression, stress, anxiety, family conflicts, self esteem, and career difficulties
I've worked with three different therapists over the past 5 years and I really feel like I finally found one who is taking an approach I trust. I've benefited tremendously in the past 6 weeks, and I look forward to continuing the process with Melissa.
Written on Dec 08, 2022 after therapy with Melissa for 1 month on issues concerning depression, stress, anxiety, addictions, and anger management
Very friendly funny and insightful!
Written on May 25, 2022 after therapy with Melissa for 3 weeks on issues concerning stress, anxiety, addictions, and relationship issues