- ACT and CBT methods
- Parenting with Love and Logic
- Action oriented sessions
About Melissa
Melissa Guarnaccia is a Licensed Independent Social Worker-Clinical Practice (LISW-CP) and a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) with eleven years of experience. She practices in North Carolina and works with people facing stress, anxiety, depression, relationship strain, family conflict, grief, trauma and abuse, anger, self-esteem struggles, intimacy issues, eating concerns, career questions, and bipolar disorder.
Her approach blends Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) with a practical, action-oriented style. She keeps sessions straightforward and focused on what a person can do between meetings. Conversations can include new ways to think about problems, small experiments to try, and steps to reduce reactivity when anger or frustration rises.
Melissa has worked in hospitals, schools, and private practice settings. That range shaped how she supports people who need structured tools as well as space to talk things out. She also offers workshops in Parenting with Love and Logic and brings that experience into conversations about family stress and parenting strain.
Her training path began with a BA in Psychology from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and a Master of Social Work from the University of North Carolina at Charlotte. Outside of work she is married, has two boys and a pug, and spends time outdoors and traveling with family.
People who come to her typically want clear ways to manage anger and stress, improve relationships, or build consistent habits for mood and worry. She works with each person to find realistic steps they can try between sessions.
How ACT and CBT are used in online sessions
Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) focuses on learning to notice difficult thoughts and feelings without getting swept away by them, then choosing actions that match what matters most. It can help when anger or resentment keeps getting in the way of relationships. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) looks at the links between thoughts, feelings, and behaviors and teaches concrete skills for changing unhelpful patterns. CBT is often used for anxiety, depression, and anger that comes from repetitive thinking.Finding the right approach is something to figure out together. The therapist will work with the client to test techniques, see what helps, and adjust plans based on goals and preferences. That collaborative process guides whether sessions emphasize ACT processes, CBT skill work, or a mix of both.
Confirm the exact session formats before booking, because the biography does not list them. Online work can still make it easier to fit meetings into a busy week, reduce travel time, and allow shorter check-ins when schedules are tight. It also lets people try skill practice at home and bring real-life situations to talk through during sessions. Licensed professionals can tailor frequency and focus so sessions fit everyday life while working on managing anger and related concerns.
Areas of expertise
Primary focus
Also works with
Therapeutic approaches
Experience
11+ years
Listed in
North Carolina, South Carolina
Languages
English
Frequently asked questions
What concerns does she help with?
She works with stress, anxiety, depression, relationship and family conflict, grief, trauma and abuse, anger, self-esteem, intimacy issues, eating concerns, career questions, and bipolar disorder.
How would you describe her therapy style?
She uses a relaxed, open-minded, and action-oriented approach. Sessions focus on practical steps, thinking patterns, and experiments to try between meetings.
How much clinical experience does she have?
She has eleven years of experience across hospital, school, and private practice settings.
What are her credentials and where is she based?
She holds SC LISW-CP and NC LCSW credentials and practices in North Carolina.
Which languages are supported in sessions?
Sessions are offered in English.
Can she work with international clients?
She is not currently accepting international clients.
What session formats are offered?
Please confirm current session options before booking, as formats are not specified in the biography.
How are costs and scheduling handled?
Cost varies by location and sessions use a subscription that can be canceled at any time; begin by completing the matching questionnaire and scheduling a first session.