Hi! I’m Melissa.
I’m so glad you’re here. Starting therapy can feel scary - especially if you've already tried therapy or self-help and it didn’t bring the change you hoped for.
Maybe you're worried I won't understand your relationship with food, or that I'll judge you for not “having it all figured out”. You might be wondering if I actually "get" what it's like to feel trapped by perfectionism or exhausted from people-pleasing.
I want you to know I do get it - because I've been there too.
My own journey brought me to this work.
From an early age, I experienced anxiety, body image concerns, and disordered eating. Throughout childhood and adolescence, I engaged in perfectionism and people pleasing as ways to cope. I didn’t understand it then, but these patterns were just ways I had learned to protect myself.
Because of the therapeutic work I’ve done and the support I’ve received over the years, that younger part of me shows up a lot less; when it does make an appearance, I relate to it with curiosity and compassion instead of judgement. It’s not always easy, but it is so worth it.
Now, I feel honored to walk alongside others as they create their own paths toward healing and self-acceptance
My approach to therapy
My approach to therapy is highly relational, person-centered, and strengths-based. My clients would describe me as gentle, but not passive. I believe that therapy can be both serious and lighthearted; we’ll lean into the heavy stuff and the joys of life.
We’ll work together to connect the dots between your past experiences and present reactions, building self-awareness and choice. I’ll partner with you to challenge unhelpful patterns, re-write outdated stories and shift limiting beliefs. Most importantly, I will meet you where you’re at and welcome you as you are.
Inclusivity and affirmation are at the heart of my practice. I welcome people of all identities and am committed to continual reflection around my privileges, and the impact that systems of oppression have on our lives. I approach this work with humility, openness, and a deep respect for each person’s story.
I practice from a HAES (Health at Every Size) and anti-diet approach, rooted in anti-oppression and social justice.
This means I honor and respect all bodies, and we won't focus on changing your weight or appearance. We'll focus on healing your relationship with yourself.
My Professional Background
Licensed Clinical Social Worker #11587-123
Master of Social Work - University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee
Trained in ACT, CBT, DBT, Brainspotting Phases 1 and 2, Parts Work
Intuitive Eating Counselor certification, estimated completion Winter 2026
Body Image Coach Certification - Institute for Body Image
What you can expect in our work together.
Our work together will go beyond talking—we’ll use experiential exercises that help you feel real shifts in your body and reconnect with parts of yourself you may have lost touch with.
In our sessions, you might:
Practice feeling your emotions in a safe space (so you can navigate them in real life)
Learn skills to calm your nervous system when anxiety takes over
Explore what your authentic self actually wants (underneath all the "shoulds")
Understand how trauma actually changed your brain - and why that's not your fault
Work through childhood experiences that still affect you today
Understand the why behind your struggles.
I like to share the science behind what you're experiencing. When you understand why you developed perfectionist tendencies or why your relationship with food got complicated, the shame starts to lift.
You'll realize it's not a character flaw - it's how your brain learned to protect you.
