Meet Dr. Melissa
Licensed Clinical Mental Health Counselor, Author and Owner of Cohesive Counseling Associates, PLLC
I am a thriving mental health professional with a multitude of practical experiences within both public and private domains of behavioral health over 15 years. Before relocating to North Carolina, I had been instrumental in the delivery of therapeutic services to some of the most clinically complicated cases in the State of Maryland. My practical experiences in working with emotionally unhealthy children, adolescents, adults, and disrupted families for over 6 years allowed me to flourish as a clinician and professional counselor. I now carry that expertise into private mental health care and into the academic arena for Counselor Education at the Master’s and Doctorate level. Whether your interest in my services is for personal change, professional growth, cooperative networking, or coaching/consultation, you should know that I pride myself on being able to establish a purposeful interpersonal working relationship as a platform for personal goal attainment and life/career satisfaction.
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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
