- Client-Centered Therapy
- Cognitive Behavioral Therapy
- Boundaries and coping skills
About Melissa
Melissa Averett is a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) based in Louisiana with 14 years of clinical experience. She works with adults facing stress, anxiety, self-esteem struggles, depression, addiction recovery, relationship and family issues, trauma and abuse, grief, sleep problems, parenting challenges, anger, bipolar concerns, compassion fatigue, and ADHD.
She earned a Master of Education in Counseling from Southeastern Louisiana University in 2008. Early in her career she spent four years in a residential program supporting women in addiction recovery. She then provided outpatient counseling for nine years, working with a wide range of life issues and mental health concerns.
Melissa uses Client-Centered Therapy to build rapport and help people identify what they want from counseling. She also uses Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and cognitive restructuring to help people notice unhelpful thoughts and try alternative, more balanced thinking.
In sessions she teaches practical skills such as setting healthy boundaries, improving self-esteem, understanding choices and consequences, and developing coping strategies. She also works on communication skills so people can be more assertive in relationships.
Melissa focuses on concrete steps and skill building. She helps people who are coping with divorce, forgiveness, blended family issues, or the effects of abandonment and dependent or avoidant personality patterns. Her approach is direct and skill-focused, aimed at helping people handle day-to-day challenges and improve how they relate to themselves and others.
How her approaches work for online sessions
Client-Centered Therapy focuses on listening and understanding the person as they describe their concerns. In practice this means the therapist reflects back what she hears, helps clarify goals, and supports the person's own priorities for change. It is useful for people who want to be heard and to set their own pace for progress.Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and cognitive restructuring focus on the link between thoughts, feelings, and actions. Sessions typically include identifying unhelpful thoughts, testing those beliefs, and practicing alternatives. This approach can help with anxiety, low mood, sleep problems, and recurring patterns that cause distress.
Finding the right mix of approaches is part of the work. Melissa will work collaboratively to decide which methods fit best based on goals and what the client prefers. That choice can shift as therapy moves forward and as practical skills are learned.
Confirm the available session formats before booking, as the biography does not list specific online options. Online therapy can make it easier to fit sessions into a busy schedule, allow shorter check-ins when helpful, and avoid travel time. It also lets people continue regular work on coping skills and communication practice between in-person commitments.
Areas of expertise
Also works with
Additional focus areas
Therapeutic approaches
Experience
14+ years
Listed in
Louisiana
Languages
English
Frequently asked questions
What concerns does she work with?
She works with stress, anxiety, self-esteem, depression, addiction recovery, trauma and abuse, grief, sleep problems, parenting strain, anger, bipolar issues, compassion fatigue, and ADHD among other related concerns.
What is her therapeutic style?
Her style is client-centered and practical. She helps people set goals, learn coping skills, and practice clearer communication.
How much clinical experience does she have?
She has 14 years of experience, including four years in residential addiction recovery work and nine years providing outpatient counseling to adults.
What credentials and region does she practice in?
She is a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) practicing in Louisiana.
Which languages are supported?
Sessions are offered in English only.
Does she see clients outside the United States?
International clients are not accepted at this time.
How are sessions paid for?
Cost varies by location and sessions use a subscription model that can be canceled at any time.
How do I begin a first session?
Start by selecting the See online therapy options button, complete a short matching questionnaire, and schedule a first session.