- 15 years experience
- Client-centered approach
- Practical coping skills
About Melissa
Melissa Reighn is a licensed mental health counselor practicing in New York with 15 years of experience. She meets people where they are and helps them take practical steps toward better day-to-day functioning. Melissa emphasizes respect for each person's story and builds on the strengths they already have.
She focuses on worries like stress, anxiety, and mood concerns, and supports people who have experienced trauma or abuse. She also helps with parenting challenges, attention differences such as ADHD, eating concerns, and bipolar-related struggles. Additional areas she addresses include chronic illness or pain, caregiver stress, substance concerns, communication problems, and life transitions such as separation or immigration stress.
In sessions she follows a client-centered style, which means the person is treated as the expert on their own life and choices guide the pace of work. She also uses practical techniques from cognitive behavioral approaches and acceptance and commitment ideas to help people notice patterns and try new responses. For some trauma-related concerns she brings in methods aimed at processing difficult memories.
Her approach aims to be straightforward and supportive. Conversations are focused and goal-oriented when useful, with space for listening and reflection. Melissa works with people who want clear tools for coping and steady, realistic progress toward their goals.
To begin, she invites people to describe the problems that matter most to them and to try small, manageable changes. Over time those steps build into more lasting shifts in how someone handles stress, relationships, and daily demands.
How Melissa’s approaches translate to online therapy
Client-centered therapy focuses on listening and following the client's lead. The therapist treats the person as the expert and prioritizes what matters most to them, which can make online conversations feel more comfortable for people who need to set the pace.Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, or ACT, helps people notice thoughts and feelings without getting stuck in them and then choose actions that match their values. This approach is useful for anxiety, stress, and life changes. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, or CBT, looks at unhelpful thinking and behavior patterns and offers concrete exercises to change them, which often works well for anxiety, mood issues, and everyday coping.
Finding the right approach is a collaborative process. The therapist will discuss options, try techniques together, and adjust based on what feels helpful and realistic for the person's goals. That conversation helps tailor the work to each person's situation.
The biography does not list specific online session formats, so confirm available options before booking. Online work can make scheduling easier and reduce travel time, and it can fit into a lunch break or evening routine. It also allows follow-up between sessions and lets people practice tools in their daily life with a therapist's guidance.
Areas of expertise
Primary focus
Also works with
Additional focus areas
Therapeutic approaches
Experience
15+ years
Listed in
New York
Languages
English
Frequently asked questions
What concerns does Melissa commonly address?
She supports people with stress, anxiety, trauma and abuse, depression, parenting strain, ADHD, eating concerns, and bipolar-related issues, along with related areas such as caregiver stress and chronic illness.
How would you describe her therapy style?
Her style is client-centered and respectful, letting the person set priorities while offering practical tools. She blends listening with goal-focused work when that matches a person's needs.
What is her clinical background?
She has 15 years of professional experience helping people manage life changes, grief, and emotional symptoms across a variety of concerns.
What are her credentials and where is she based?
She is a New York licensed mental health counselor, listed as LMHC, and practices out of New York.
Can sessions be conducted in languages other than English?
Sessions are offered in English.
Which session formats are available?
The original biography does not list specific session formats, so please confirm current session options before booking.
How are fees handled?
Cost varies with location and therapist availability, and sessions use a subscription that can be canceled at any time.
How do I begin working with her?
Use the Start Therapy button, complete the short matching questionnaire, and schedule according to therapist availability.
Online talk therapy is not emergency care. If you are in danger, use the crisis numbers.