Image of the therapist, Melanie, in front of a stone wall. She has blue hair and is wearing a black dress.

About me

Approach and Values

I offer a therapy space that is LGBTQIA+ and neurodivergent affirming, sex- and body-positive, kink aware, poly-friendly, trauma-informed, and grounded in social justice and liberation. My goal is to provide a space where you don’t have to mask, explain, or shrink yourself to be understood.

I believe therapy is a collaborative journey of self-discovery and healing. Together, we’ll explore your identity, untangle old stories that no longer serve you, and develop self-compassion as you navigate a world that often prioritizes others’ comfort over your well-being. We might explore your nervous system responses, patterns of connection, or the different “parts” of you that have helped you survive—and learn how to support them with kindness.

Healing, to me, isn’t just about “functioning better.” It’s about reclaiming your authenticity, understanding how trauma and systemic injustices have shaped your life, and finding sustainable ways to exist that feel true to you. When you can see your strengths clearly and stop fighting who you are, life starts to feel more like your own—and a little bit of magic happens. And when we have a better understanding of who we really are, we can shape lives that we love and don’t want to escape from.

A bit about me

I like to say I’ve taken the scenic route through life. My varied experiences give me a unique perspective as a therapist, and my own healing journey inspired me to help others on theirs. I’m committed to lifelong learning—both in my personal growth and in the work I do with clients.

When I'm not in the therapy space, I’m usually hanging out with my son and our four cats, buying supplies for hobbies I haven’t started (but I totally will), learning more about a special interest, or going down rabbit holes in search of new information.

Areas of Focus

I am passionate about lifelong learning and have completed training or continuing education in the following:

  • Neurodivergent affirming therapy

    • ADHD

    • Autism

  • Complex trauma

    • Childhood abuse

    • Intimate partner abuse/violence

    • Religious trauma

    • Living with chronic illness

  • LGBTQIA+

    • WPATH SOC 8 letter writing

  • Brainspotting (Phase 1)

Education

I’m a Licensed Professional Counselor Associate (license #8889) in South Carolina and a National Certified Counselor (#1730898). I earned my Master’s degree (MS) in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from Walden University in 2024, for which I completed a practicum and internship of 700 hours of supervised counseling.

As a licensed professional counselor associate, I receive regular supervision from Samantha Diamond (SC LPC 7811) while earning the 1500 hours of clinical experience necessary for full licensure.

I am a member of the American Counseling Association (ACA) and its divisions Society for Sexual, Affectional, Intersex, and Gender Expansive Identities (SAIGE) and Counselors for Social Justice (CSJ). I’m also a member of the Therapist Neurodiversity Collective and the National Coalition for Sexual Freedom (NCSF).