Melissa Taylor
Welcome! I'm in recovery from alcohol use disorder, and I'm a combat veteran. Learning to cope wasn't optional for me; it was survival, and that experience shapes how I show up for you now. I understand anxiety and depression from the inside, and I bring a grounded, no-judgment approach to every session. Whether you're facing a major life transition or seeking to learn coping skills, I'm here to walk with you through the process. Healing isn't linear, and I don't expect it to be. Together we'll build coping skills you can actually use in the moment, whether that's through journaling, mindfulness, cognitive exercises, or simply learning to catch the thoughts that used to run the show. Together, we can identify negative thinking and reshape it in a way that changes how you feel. I can help you challenge negative thoughts and identify more helpful/realistic thoughts. This will help you better enjoy your life because you will view it more positively.
I became a therapist because I believed I could empathize and help people based on my past struggles with addiction and trauma.
You deserve a life that brings you contentment and joy. Let's work together on this journey of healing.
First session
Our first session will focus on developing a relationship, answering questions, and discussing presenting concerns. I am committed to providing empathetic and personalized care to each client, tailoring treatment to address specific issues. I utilize an empathetic and collaborative approach to foster hope, insight, and resilience.
Strengths
I provide an intelligent, warm, open-minded, and solution-oriented approach to understanding clients and delivering their therapeutic care.
Ideal clients
I work especially well with adults experiencing anxiety, depression, low self-esteem, life transitions, or difficulty managing overwhelming thoughts and emotions. I’m a good fit for clients who want a therapist who is compassionate and understanding while also helping them develop practical coping skills they can use in everyday life. I particularly enjoy working with people who are ready to challenge negative thought patterns, build greater self-awareness, and create a more fulfilling and balanced life.
Treatment methods
Trauma-Focused CBT
My work incorporates Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT), an evidence-based approach designed to support individuals in processing trauma. I help clients build coping and emotional regulation skills, challenge unhelpful thought patterns, and gradually process traumatic memories in a safe and structured way.
Dialectical Behavior (DBT)
My experience with this modality was developed while practicing as an individual psychotherapist and providing DBT-focused skill development and distress tolerance support.
Narrative
I utilize narrative therapy to support individuals in creating a coherent narrative of their traumatic experiences, thereby reframing their memories, gaining control of their lives, rather than being defined by the traumatic experience, and beginning the healing process.
Internal Family Systems (IFS)
My work is informed by Internal Family Systems (IFS), a parts-based, non-pathologizing model that views the mind as composed of distinct internal parts. I support clients in developing awareness of these parts, unblending from protective patterns, and cultivating Self-leadership to promote healing, integration, and resilience.
Location
Virtual sessions
Identifies as
Top specialties
Other specialties
Serves
Licensed in
- TennesseeLicense 8543