Hello! My name is Melissa Winston, and I am a licensed Marriage and Family Therapist in the state of Missouri. With a Bachelor's Degree in education and many years of work with teens and families in the non-profit sector, I found myself feeling compelled to help more but not having the tools to do so. I went back to school to get my degree as a Marriage & Family Therapist from Capella University and have been working in various treatment settings for the past 10 years. The last five years have been specifically in residential work with adolescents and their families. I have a combined total of 22 years of experience working with teens and families.
I specialize in work with complex family systems that have experienced trauma - adolescents, individuals, couples, and families - learning to unravel that trauma and re-engage in healthy relationships with one another. Using a mix of systems theories, I work to meet clients where they are to help them find their own solutions to the problems they are facing. Therapy should be a safe space to process and be honest about whatever you're thinking and feeling without judgement. Once we feel heard and seen, then we have the courage to go towards the healing we long for in our lives. I believe that all people have the capacity to change and that as we each work toward our own individual wholeness, we can then have deeper, more meaningful relationships. I am trained in trauma-informed care and primarily use Narrative, CBT, DBT, and Solution-Focused modalities in the counseling room. I believe there is hope for even the most broken and painful relationship - if the individuals are willing to do the work on themselves. I am extremely passionate about people and will work as hard as you will to help you get where you want to go.
Outside of therapy, I love to decorate, to hang out with my husband and two teenage sons, and to spend time with my community. I also have two dogs (a sweet old Pit/Lab mix, Piper, and a one year old Havanese fluff-ball) who keep us all running. I am also passionate about organizational leadership and community development.
Additional areas of focus: Addictions, Trauma and abuse, Grief, Intimacy-related issues, Sleeping disorders, Anger management, Self esteem, Career difficulties, Bipolar disorder, Coping with life changes, Coaching, Compassion fatigue, ADHD, Abandonment, Autism and Asperger Syndrome, Blended Family Issues, Caregiver issues and stress, Codependency, Commitment Issues, Communication problems, Control issues, Coping with Natural or Human-Caused Disaster, Dependent Personality, Family of Origin Issues, Family Problems, Fatherhood Issues, Forgiveness, Guilt and shame, Impulsivity, Infidelity, Isolation / loneliness, Life purpose, Military and Veterans Issues, Mood disorders , Multicultural Concerns, Panic disorder and panic attacks, Personality Disorders, Post-traumatic stress, Pregnancy and childbirth, Self-Harm, Self-love, Social anxiety and phobia, Women's issues, Workplace issues, Young Adult Issues
Clinical approaches: Client-Centered Therapy, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), Emotionally-Focused Therapy (EFT), Mindfulness Therapy, Narrative Therapy, Solution-Focused Therapy, Trauma-Focused Therapy
MO LMFT 2014025253
KS LCMFT LCMFT 03116
These quotes represent just a few of the many positive reviews that we have received for Melissa Winston. 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.
The best
Written on Aug 02, 2022 after therapy with Melissa for 1 year and 6 months on issues concerning depression, stress, anxiety, relationship issues, family conflicts, eating disorders, sleeping disorders, self esteem, anger management, compassion fatigue, and adhd
I have only had a few sessions with Melissa but I feel she has already greatly increased the quality of my day to day life. Talking to her is easy and she helps me put things in new perspective.
Written on Jan 11, 2022 after therapy with Melissa for 2 weeks
Melissa is very kind, very understanding and yet still professional. She is like a friend that has infinite information and compassion. She's has helped me understand my self and life with healthy outside perspective.
Written on Sep 27, 2021 after therapy with Melissa for 9 months on issues concerning depression, stress, anxiety, relationship issues, trauma and abuse, anger management, coping with life changes, coaching, compassion fatigue, and adhd
Melissa is the perfect combination of relatable and professional. She listens and makes me feel so heard but also challenges me and asks questions that encourage me to look deeper and with a fresh perspective. Talking with her has really helped me process my reactions and start building skills to make positive change. Our sessions give me hope.
Written on Jul 30, 2021 after therapy with Melissa for 2 weeks on issues concerning depression, stress, anxiety, family conflicts, trauma and abuse, grief, parenting issues, self esteem, career difficulties, coaching, and adhd
Melissa creates a calm and encouraging environment. She has helped me grow as an individual and help me set goals for myself. She has been an immense help and I am grateful to have been connected with her. Thank you so much!
Written on Jul 24, 2021 after therapy with Melissa for 5 months on issues concerning stress, anxiety, and trauma and abuse
I first got in contact with Melissa at a very emotional and chaotic time in my life. When I talk with her, I feel listened to, respected, and not judged. She’s insightful, understanding, and gives amazing advices. Melissa helps me focus on my life goals despite the bad days. She helps me put things in a different perspective. After a session, I feel hopeful and motivated about where I am in my life and my growth.
Written on Jun 12, 2021 after therapy with Melissa for 2 months on issues concerning depression, stress, anxiety, relationship issues, family conflicts, trauma and abuse, intimacy-related issues, sleeping disorders, parenting issues, self esteem, anger management, career difficulties, and adhd