- CBT techniques
- Motivational interviewing
- Mindfulness practice
About Melissa
Melissa Benson is a Licensed Mental Health Counselor (LMHC) and Licensed Clinical Mental Health Counselor (LCMHC) practicing in Florida with 24 years of professional experience. She works with people dealing with stress, anxiety, grief and loss, depression, addiction, ADHD, relationship and intimacy concerns, anger, and other life changes. Sessions are grounded in practical talk and straightforward goal-setting.
Her approach centers on clear conversation and sensible steps. She uses Client-Centered Therapy to listen and reflect what matters most to the client. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) helps break unhelpful thinking patterns and build new behaviors. Motivational Interviewing supports people who are unsure or ambivalent about change.
Melissa adapts discussions to each person’s situation. She focuses on skills people can try between sessions, like breathing techniques, thought records, and short behavioral experiments. This makes progress measurable and easier to notice over time.
She has long experience working with grief, addictions, and major life transitions. That background informs how she structures sessions - balancing practical steps with time to process difficult feelings. Conversations aim to reduce overwhelm and improve day-to-day functioning.
People who come for help with anger will find direct skills for managing intensity and repairing strained interactions. Melissa also addresses related issues such as sleep, eating, and self-esteem so problems are tackled together rather than in isolation.
Therapeutic approaches used in online sessions
Melissa frequently uses Client-Centered Therapy, which means conversations begin with listening and reflecting what matters most to the client. This approach helps people clarify goals and feel understood while they decide what to change.She also uses Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) to identify and change unhelpful thoughts and behaviors. CBT is practical and concrete and often includes short exercises to try between appointments for issues like anger, anxiety, and sleep problems.
Motivational Interviewing is another tool she draws on when someone feels uncertain about change. It focuses on building motivation and small, achievable next steps rather than pushing a single plan.
Finding the right mix of methods is part of the work. The therapist will collaborate with the client to choose approaches that match goals, preferences, and the problems they want to address. That conversation helps set realistic steps and timelines.
Session formats are not specified in the biography, so confirm current options before booking. Online sessions can make it easier to fit therapy into a busy week, allow for shorter check-ins when time is limited, and remove the need to travel to an office. Those practical benefits can help people keep momentum while working on anger, stress, and related concerns.
Areas of expertise
Also works with
Additional focus areas
Therapeutic approaches
Experience
24+ years
Listed in
Florida, Utah
Languages
English
Frequently asked questions
What concerns does she help with related to anger?
She helps people who struggle with losing their temper, built-up resentment, and the effects of others' anger. Anger is addressed alongside sleep, eating, relationship, and substance issues.
How would you describe her therapeutic style?
She uses straightforward conversation and practical steps. Sessions focus on skills, short experiments, and measurable progress rather than abstract theory.
How much clinical experience does she have?
She has 24 years of professional experience working with grief, addictions, depression, and life transitions. That history shapes how she structures sessions and priorities.
What are her credentials and where does she practice?
She holds LMHC and LCMHC credentials and is licensed in Florida. Practice and licensing are based in Florida.
Can sessions be conducted in other languages?
Sessions are offered in English.
Does she work with clients outside the United States?
International clients are not currently accepted.
How are costs handled for sessions?
Cost varies with location and sessions use a subscription that can be canceled at any time. Exact pricing depends on the client’s chosen plan and location.
What steps do I take to begin working with her?
Use the See online therapy options button, complete a short matching questionnaire, and schedule a first session. That starts the intake and initial planning process.