Hello! My name is Melissa and I love what I do! Counseling people is my life's work and I've been doing it 14 years. Whatever it is you are going through, I can assure you, I have worked with someone who has dealt with something similar. I specialize in treating addiction issues, as I've worked in 5 different in-patient drug and alcohol treatment centers/rehabs in my career. Though I have years of professional experience working with an array of all kinds of issues and different populations.
I greatly enjoy working with individuals and families. I also have several years experience working with teens, including those who have grown up in the system, been abused, and at high-risk, or with behavioral or learning problems. Clients feedback is often reported to me as: I am "easy to talk to," "friendly," and "down to earth." I've also been told I am helpful and a "good listener;" that is important to me. I am mostly solution-focused, meaning...I want to understand the problem, but then want to get into the tough work of finding solutions as soon as possible.
As a therapist, I have a lot of empathy, am caring, and invested in improving your life circumstances. I am non-judgmental and believe that no matter how similar or different we may be, we can work together and develop a rapport. We can start right away, opening lines of communication so I can understand where you are coming from and help in anyway I can. My hope is to develop a warm, and trusting relationship in which you feel comfortable, and heard.
One of my favorite things to hear as a therapist from a client is, "exactly," because I know we are on the same page, and I smile when a client says after session, " I feel much better." That is my aspiration, to help, and get to know you. Please understand that this is not just a job for me. I am genuinely here for you! Thank you for taking the time to read my profile and learn more about me as a professional.
Additional areas of focus: LGBT, Trauma and abuse, Grief, Intimacy-related issues, Anger management, Self esteem, Bipolar disorder, Coping with life changes, Compassion fatigue, Abandonment, Adoption and Foster Care, Blended Family Issues, Body Image, Chronic Pain Illness and Disability, Co-morbidity, Codependency, Communication Problems, Control Issues, Dissociation, Divorce and Separation, Domestic Violence, Drug and Alcohol Addiction, Family of Origin Issues, Family Problems, Fatherhood Issues, Fertility Issues, Guilt and Shame, Impulsivity, Isolation / Loneliness, Life Purpose, Men's Issues, Midlife Crisis, Military and Veterans Issues, Money and Financial Issues, Mood Disorders, Panic Disorder and Panic Attacks, Personality Disorders, Postpartum Depression, Post-traumatic Stress, Pregnancy and Childbirth, Process addiction (porn, exercise, gambling), Self-Harm, Self-Love, Sex Addiction, Sexual Assault and Abuse, Social Anxiety and Phobia, Traumatic Brain Injury, Women's Issues, Workplace Issues
Clinical approaches: Client-Centered Therapy, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), Mindfulness Therapy, Motivational Interviewing, Solution-Focused Therapy
CA LMFT 80862
These quotes represent just a few of the many positive reviews that we have received for Melissa Macgown. 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 listens to you and gives you practical advice and suggestions to take therapy into your every day life. I have been working with her for about a year and my confidence has increased, she’s helped me with boundaries for toxic relationships and has helped me find self-love.
Written on May 01, 2023 after therapy with Melissa for 1 year on issues concerning depression, stress, anxiety, family conflicts, trauma and abuse, grief, sleeping disorders, parenting issues, self esteem, anger management, bipolar disorder, compassion fatigue, and adhd
She is important to me
Written on Dec 06, 2022 after therapy with Melissa for 4 months on issues concerning depression, stress, anxiety, addictions, relationship issues, family conflicts, trauma and abuse, grief, intimacy-related issues, eating disorders, sleeping disorders, parenting issues, self esteem, anger management, career difficulties, bipolar disorder,
Melissa is supportive and understanding in therapy sessions. I appreciate her openness and willingness to listen, and provide insight. She is helpful and I feel she’s been a great therapist.
Written on Nov 08, 2022 after therapy with Melissa for 5 months on issues concerning stress, anxiety, addictions, relationship issues, family conflicts, intimacy-related issues, self esteem, and coping with life changes
Gives the best advice
Written on Jun 07, 2022 after therapy with Melissa for 6 months
Melissa asks hard questions and follows them up really well! She has prompted me to do a lot of really good introspection during our first month working together, and I feel very happy with the progress I'm making.
Written on May 10, 2022 after therapy with Melissa for 1 month on issues concerning stress, anxiety, depression, self esteem, family conflicts, coping with life changes, trauma and abuse, intimacy-related issues, compassion fatigue, bipolar disorder, and lgbt
Our first session went wonderful. I felt an immediate connection with her and had no problem opening up to her. She was a great listener and gave me some very insightful tips to help with my day to day struggles.
Written on Apr 21, 2022 after therapy with Melissa for 2 weeks on issues concerning parenting issues, anger management, and compassion fatigue