Niche: Adolescents/Young Adults, EMDR, LGBTQIA+

Melissa began her career in Baltimore City Public Schools, spending a decade teaching and coaching before transitioning into social work. Her time in education gave her a wealth of experience in navigating the challenges adolescents and families face and taught her that what children need most is unconditional regard, acceptance, and safety. With a second master’s degree in clinical social work, Melissa has worked as both a school-based therapist and an outpatient clinician, supporting children, teens, and families with compassion and care.

Melissa creates a supportive, nonjudgmental environment where clients feel safe to share their stories and know they are seen and heard. Using a holistic, client-centered approach, she helps children, teens, and families build resilience, acceptance, and healthy strategies for navigating life transitions. She frequently involves parents of young children in sessions, modeling behavioral techniques they can use at home to strengthen family dynamics.

Melissa has a special passion for working with LGBTQIA+ teens, believing deeply in the importance of skilled, affirming therapy for this population. She integrates DBT, ACT, CBT, attachment-based work, mindfulness, and trauma-informed modalities into her practice, and she looks forward to pursuing certification in sand tray play therapy.

Since 2017, Melissa has been practicing as a licensed social worker and psychotherapist. She earned her MSW with honors from the University of Maryland and brings the same dedication she had as a teacher into her work as a therapist. Outside of her practice, she enjoys coaching, spending time with her wife, their dogs, and connecting with friends and family.