Sheet 1
- Stress and anxiety
- Trauma and abuse
- Parenting concerns
About Melissa
Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor (LCPC) in Maryland and Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) in Virginia with five years of clinical counseling experience, Melissa Simonson helps people address stress, anxiety, trauma and abuse, parenting concerns, self-esteem, and depression.
She uses everyday language in sessions and draws on a prior 15-year career in education as a teacher and administrator. That background shapes how she explains challenges and practical steps. Sessions focus on discussing what’s happening now and finding manageable ways to change patterns that cause pain or get in the way of goals.
Melissa works with issues tied to relationships and family life, including attachment questions, blended family dynamics, divorce and separation, and family problems. She also supports people dealing with guilt, shame, forgiveness, control issues, mood disorders, post-traumatic stress, self-love, and young adult transitions.
Her approach centers on evidence-based therapeutic techniques that translate into clear tools and actions. Conversations often include problem-solving, skills practice, and reflections on patterns that repeat across relationships and situations. The therapist aims to make the work concrete so it can be used between sessions.
People who choose her can expect straightforward communication and practical steps they can try between meetings. To begin, the site’s process asks you to complete a short matching questionnaire and schedule an initial session through the online options button.
Sheet 2
How her approaches translate to online sessions
Melissa uses evidence-based therapeutic techniques that focus on practical skills and understanding patterns. One common approach is skill-based work that teaches concrete coping strategies for stress and anxiety, such as breathing, grounding, and stepwise behavioral changes to reduce overwhelm. These techniques help when symptoms interfere with daily routines or parenting tasks.Another frequent emphasis is trauma-informed care that looks at how past hurts affect current relationships and reactions. That work involves pacing, naming patterns, and developing stabilizing routines to reduce reactivity and rebuild a sense of control over day-to-day responses.
Choosing the right approach is collaborative. The therapist will talk with the client about goals, try methods that fit the person’s needs, and adjust plans based on what works. Clients and the therapist decide together which techniques to focus on over time.
The site biography does not list specific session formats. Confirm the current session options before booking so you know how meetings will be scheduled. Online sessions can make it easier to fit therapy into a busy week, reduce travel time, and allow shorter check-ins when needed. Licensed professionals often use virtual sessions to maintain continuity of care while adapting the length and focus to match everyday life and responsibilities.
Sheet 3
Areas of expertise
Primary focus
Additional focus areas
Experience
5+ years
Listed in
Maryland, Virginia
Languages
English
Sheet 4
Frequently asked questions
What concerns does she focus on?
She focuses on stress, anxiety, trauma and abuse, parenting, self-esteem, and depression, plus related areas like attachment and blended family issues.
What is her therapeutic style?
She uses evidence-based therapeutic techniques and aims for clear, practical conversations with skills you can apply between sessions.
How much clinical experience does she have?
She has five years of clinical counseling experience and 15 years of prior work in education as a teacher and administrator.
What are her credentials and where is she based?
She holds LCPC in Maryland and LPC in Virginia and is based in Maryland.
Which languages are supported?
Sessions are offered in English.
Can international clients work with her?
International clients are not currently accepted.
How are sessions paid for?
Cost varies with location and sessions use a subscription that can be canceled at any time.
How do I begin a first session?
Use the See online therapy options button, complete a short matching questionnaire, and schedule your first session.
Online talk therapy is not emergency care. If you are in danger, use the urgent help numbers.