Hi, I’m Melissa!

Healing rarely happens in a straight line. More often, it looks like taking one small step forward, facing an old wound, discovering a new strength, and learning to offer yourself the compassion you may have spent years giving to everyone else. I believe therapy is not about becoming someone different—it's about reconnecting with the person you've always been beneath the pain, fear, expectations, and survival strategies that once helped you get through difficult seasons of life.

My hope is to create a space where you don't have to carry everything alone. A place where you can exhale, feel understood, and know that every part of your story is welcome. Whether you're processing trauma, navigating anxiety, healing from addiction, or simply trying to understand yourself more deeply, our work together is rooted in curiosity, compassion, and the belief that meaningful change is possible.


My Approach

As the first-generation daughter of two Salvadoran immigrant parents, I know how our stories are shaped by the families, cultures, and experiences that came before us. I understand the strength it takes to navigate different worlds, carry unspoken expectations, and break cycles that may have existed for generations. Those experiences have taught me that healing doesn't happen in isolation—it happens when we feel safe enough to explore our story, honor where we've come from, and choose how we want to move forward.

I am a bilingual Licensed Clinical Mental Health Counselor (LCMHC) and Licensed Clinical Addiction Specialist (LCAS) in North Carolina. I specialize in working with individuals healing from childhood trauma, complex trauma, and intergenerational trauma, while also supporting those experiencing anxiety, mood disorders, and addiction.

My approach to therapy is collaborative and individualized because no two healing journeys look the same. I integrate evidence-based treatments, including Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR), Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), and Person-Centered Therapy, while adapting my approach to meet your unique needs.

I don't believe healing means forgetting what happened or pretending life has been easy. I believe healing means discovering that your past no longer has to define your future. It means building a life where you feel more connected to yourself, more confident in your relationships, and more able to experience peace, joy, and authenticity. It is an honor to walk alongside my clients as they rediscover their resilience, reclaim their voice, and create the life they deserve—one step at a time.

Accepted Insurances

  • Aetna

  • BCBS

  • Cigna

  • Medcost

  • UnitedHealthcare

  • Most Medicaid plans.

Office

The office is located in Knightdale at Eden Farm.

Office Hours:

Tuesday through Friday 10 AM- 5 PM

Modalities

  • Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR)

  • Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)

  • Addictions Counseling

  • Person-Centered Therapy