About Me
Beginning my career in New York City at Cancer Care I provided support to clients & families impacted by cancer. This experience laid the groundwork for my integrative approach to treatment & inspired me to further serve & empower other individuals.
I am a Licensed Clinical Social Worker with a Master’s Degree in Social Work and Bachelor's Degree in Psychology. I have experience working with clients in the mental health/health care industry for over 20 years. I am trained in psychoanalytical, cognitive and dialectical behavior therapy. I’m also trained & have experience treating individuals struggling with anxiety, depression, substance abuse, sexual abuse & trauma.
My professional history includes providing therapeutic support to 9/11 first responders & patients on dialysis. Whether a client is struggling with trauma or a change in health, I feel a client’s struggle is a valiant one worthy of respect, understanding & compassion.
Specialties
- Stress, Anxiety
- Addictions
- Trauma and abuse
- Grief
- Depression
Relationship issues , Family conflicts , Intimacy-related issues , Self esteem , Coping with life changes , Compassion fatigue , Abandonment , Avoidant Personality , BDSM, Kink, Alternative Sex Culture , Cancer , Read more...
Clinical approaches:
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), Motivational Interviewing, Narrative Therapy, Psychodynamic Therapy, Trauma-Focused Therapy
Services Offered
Messaging
Live Chat
Phone
Video
Languages
English
Spanish
Licensing
LCSW #0904011528 (Expires: 2021-06-30)
Reviews
Melissa was the best counselor I could have asked for in my case. I'm so happy I was able to work with her. She gave me really useful tools to treat my anxiety and mental health, and it gave me the space I needed to find my peace. Thank you so much!
I have been working with Melissa for about a month. I will say that she is God sent and truly gifted. She gets it. She gets me. She gets my issues. I am happy to have her during this difficult time.
She has been great!
Melissa has a very unauthoritative and friendly approach, which enables you to express your vulnerabilities and feelings in an environment that is nonjudgemental.
Not only does Melissa display great knowledge in her field of work, she also portrays a level of understanding from her own lived experiences and how they inform her practise, which is comforting and reassuring! Melissa uses both a very theoretical and personal approach during sessions which enables anxiety stuffer to understand both the biological side of anxiety, as well as the cognitive, which makes everything a little less scary!
I have been doing therapy with Melissa for just over two months, and although I would say I’m not yet quite near recovery (although Melissa has taught me that I’m very hard on myself so this may not be the case) my anxiety has reduced significantly.
I look forward to each session Melissa and would recommend Melissa to anyone seeking support with their anxiety!
Melissa is a really kind person, she helped me coping with my depression that was getting worse due to worries regarding Brexit and the stress caused by the lockdown I imposed on myself to protect others. She is very flexible in her methods and she accomodates your needs really fast, either you need exercises or you just need to chat about your worries. She has been really supportive and positive. She checks her messages every day and she answers really quickly to make sure her clients are ok. I appreciate Melissa not only as a therapist but also as a person. Thank you!
She is better than all of the therapists I’ve ever had. She is good at her job, and just a genuinely kind and passionate woman. I’ve learned how to find my voice and I have her to thank for that.
She is kind, caring, and overall been helpful in helping me understanding my issues. I cannot recommend her enough.
I am relieved to have found a therapist that listens and provides useful help. We have been in only a handful of sessions, but I am feeling like the our sessions are productive. I really appreciate her compassion and commitment. Thank you
She had a wonderful bedside manner. She listens and communicates in a way that helpful and firm without it feeling condescending or overbearing. I'm so glad I found her!
Melissa is great therapist so far she makes did deep within yourself to understand why you have certain thoughts. She’s been proving great exercises for me to help my thoughts process when it comes to negative thinking. I’m already feeling better and it’s just the beginning.
I can’t wait to continue my journey and looking forward to the outcome. I highly recommend her if you have General Anxiety and tend to think about negative thoughts.
I have just starting working with Melissa and she seems to be kind, caring, and informative. I appreciate her assistance.
Melissa takes the time to listen and encourages me to look outside of my comfort zone.
Ms.Torres is kind and understanding. She listens to your problems and finds the best fit solution or advice; solutions one can apply to their lives. At times it even feels like we’re friends because she makes you feel comfortable.
Melissa Torres is a wonderful therapist. She listens and understands my needs. Very knowledgeable and kind. I look forward to our next session.
She’s super responsive and lovely!
So far Melissa is a great match for me and my needs! She is understanding and patient. She makes me feel comfortable so I can be very honest. She offers realistic solutions to my issues. I would recommend!
She's great! A very good listener with great insight!
I enjoyed my session with Ms. Torres! She helped me gain perspective and insight.
She's helped me a lot even just with a few sessions. You can tell she geniuely cares about you and your well-being.
She's fantastic ! Very nice, kind and understanding, without being judgmental. Knows when to speak the painful truth but with love. Her life experiences mean she's someone who doesn't just have the head knowledge but have also lived it. Thanks again !
I m thanks for putting her as my counselor, we were talking, she listens to me, and give me option. I very happy with her
Melissa is extremely helpful and a great listener. In the short time we have conversed, she has made me feel very comfortable.
She’s been great since day one. Good listener, impressive skills and extremely supportive.
Melissa is such an attentive listener and helps me remind myself that I’m not crazy. She helps me feel optimistic and hopeful and never uncomfortable about my trauma. I am very thankful for her and wouldn’t want to change to anyone else ever.