Image of the therapist, Melanie, in front of a stone wall. She has blue hair and is wearing a black dress.

About me

Approach and Values

I’m LGBTQIA+ and neurodivergence affirming, sex- and body-positive, kink aware, poly friendly, trauma informed, and social justice and liberation oriented.

Therapy is a collaborative journey of self-discovery and healing. I offer a diverse range of tools and approaches to help you explore your identity, cultivate self-compassion, and reframe limiting narratives. Together, we'll delve into the complexities of your inner world, exploring the different parts of yourself, how your nervous system responds to stress, and your patterns of connection with others. We'll also cultivate mindfulness practices to help you connect with the present moment and live more fully.

Healing and finding purpose can be challenging in a world that expects us to think and behave in ways that prioritize others' comfort over our own well-being. I believe that true healing goes beyond simply "functioning better” and requires that we embrace our authentic selves, even in the face of adversity. We'll explore how systemic injustices impact your well-being and how trauma has shaped your responses to difficulties. When we embrace our strengths as they are instead of what we think they should be, magic happens. And when we have a better understanding of who we really are, we can shape lives that we love and don’t want to escape from.

I like to say I’ve taken the scenic route through life. My varied life experiences give me a unique perspective and my own work in therapy led me to become a therapist. I’m committed to a lifetime of learning and growth, both personally and professionally. When I'm not in the therapy space, I’m usually hanging out with my son and our four cats, buying supplies for hobbies I haven’t started (but I totally will), learning more about a special interest, or going down rabbit holes in search of new information.

Areas of Focus

I am passionate about lifelong learning and have completed training or continuing education in the following:

  • Neurodivergent affirming therapy

    • ADHD

    • Autism

  • Complex trauma

    • Childhood abuse

    • Intimate partner abuse/violence

    • Religious trauma

    • Living with chronic illness

  • LGBTQIA+

    • WPATH SOC 8 letter writing

  • Brainspotting (Phase 1)

Education

I’m a Licensed Professional Counselor Associate (license #8889) in South Carolina and a National Certified Counselor (#1730898). I earned my Master’s degree (MS) in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from Walden University in 2024, for which I completed a practicum and internship of 700 hours of supervised counseling.

As a licensed professional counselor associate, I receive regular supervision from Samantha Diamond (SC LPC 7811) while earning the 1500 hours of clinical experience necessary for full licensure.

I am a member of the American Counseling Association (ACA) and its divisions Society for Sexual, Affectional, Intersex, and Gender Expansive Identities (SAIGE) and Counselors for Social Justice (CSJ). I’m also a member of the Therapist Neurodiversity Collective and the National Coalition for Sexual Freedom (NCSF).