Meet Dr. Melissa
Licensed Clinical Mental Health Counselor, Author and Owner of Cohesive Counseling Associates, PLLC
I am a seasoned clinical mental health professional with 20 years of licensed experience. My career began in the state of Maryland, delivering therapeutic services to clinically complicated cases of trauma, psychosis, and substance abuse. I have practical experiences supporting emotionally unhealthy children, adolescents, adults, and disrupted families for over 6 years which allowed me to flourish as a clinician and professional counselor. It became the foundation of my work in private mental health care, counselor education, and clinical supervision.
Now, having owned and operated my private practice for approximately 10 years in the State of North Carolina, I am able to continue mental health counseling and support the career process for other professionals in the industry. Additionally, I have mastered the transition "off the couch," outside of the intimate encounters of counseling, by keynote speaking, corporate professional training, hosting conferences, and authoring/producing/directing short films and books that expand necessary conversations about mental health.
I enjoy the role of professor, counselor educator, supervisor, and/or consultant because I am in the position to pay it forward in a number of ways. Here are some highlights of my educational background, specialized training, and the career experiences I draw from as a helping professional.
​EDUCATION & LICENSING
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State of North Carolina: Licensed Clinical Mental Health Counselor - Supervisor
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State of Maryland: (inactive) Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor and Approved Clinical Supervisor
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Doctorate of Education Counseling Psychology
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Master of Arts – Professional Counseling
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Bachelor of Arts-Psychology
SPECIALIZED COURSEWORK IN SUPERVISION AND TEACHING
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Teaching in Higher Education
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Child and Adolescent Psychotherapy
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Clinical Supervision
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Clinical Consultation
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Advanced Group Therapy
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Clinical Psychopharmacology for Counselors
PROFESSIONAL RESPONSIBILITIES
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Individual Therapy
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Family Systems Therapy
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Group Therapy
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Crisis Intervention
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Clinical Supervision and Consultation
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Comprehensive Treatment Planning
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Program Management
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Planning and Evaluation
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Documentation/Compliance
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Public Relations
​TREATMENT AREAS
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Depression
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Suicidality
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Self-Injurious Behaviors
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Anxiety
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Post-traumatic Stress Disorder
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Bipolar Disorder
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Psychotic Disorders
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Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder
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Personality Disorders
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Relationship Problems
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Substance Abuse Disorders
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Grief/Loss
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Anger Management
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Phase of Life Problems
​OCCUPATIONAL SYSTEMS
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Outpatient Mental Health Care
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Crisis Residential Care
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Residential Treatment Center
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Public School System
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Private, Non-Public School
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Emergency Room
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Private Practice
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Employee Assistance
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Church Ministry and Leadership
