PuttingFamilyFirst

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MF Portrait of Melissa Fletcher
Online therapist

Melissa Fletcher

Direct, action-focused therapy for practical change

Credentials
LCSW, CSW
Experience
12 years
Licensed in
Colorado, California
Languages
English
Format
Online sessions

About Melissa

Melissa Fletcher is a licensed clinical social worker who uses practical, direct methods to help people make clear choices in their lives. She is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker - LCSW and a Clinical Social Worker - CSW licensed in California and Colorado, with 12 years of professional therapy experience.

She speaks English and keeps sessions straightforward and focused on actions people can take now. Her approach emphasizes understanding current behavior as a series of choices.

Background and approach

She helps clients spot patterns, reframe thoughts, and try new actions when old ways are not working. That can look like learning new coping skills for anxiety or practicing concrete steps to lift low mood. Melissa draws on several evidence-informed methods, including client-centered work that centers the person, cognitive behavioral techniques to change unhelpful thinking, and dialectical skills to manage strong emotions.

She also uses mindfulness and motivational interviewing to build awareness and momentum toward goals. She has supported people with stress, anxiety, panic symptoms, depressive symptoms, self-esteem and confidence, parenting concerns, LGBT issues, relationship and family challenges, career questions, and ADHD. She also lists experience addressing blended family challenges, chronic illness and disability, grief and separation, and life-purpose questions.

Sessions are offered through video calls, phone sessions, live chat, or text-based messaging. Melissa describes a direct but compassionate style and tailors goals to each person. To begin, a short matching questionnaire and scheduling step connects people to the right session rhythm.

How Melissa brings practical therapies online

Client-centered therapy focuses on listening and meeting people where they are. Sessions center the person’s goals and perspectives, and the therapist gently guides toward clearer choices and next steps. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, or CBT, looks at the link between thoughts, feelings, and actions and offers simple exercises to test and change unhelpful thinking patterns. Dialectical Behavior Therapy, or DBT, teaches concrete skills for managing intense emotions and improving interpersonal effectiveness.

Choosing the right approach is part of the work together. Melissa will talk with each person about their needs and preferences, then suggest techniques to try. The pairing of direct feedback and collaborative goal-setting helps people find what fits their life and pace.

Online sessions are offered as video calls, phone sessions, live chat, or text-based messaging to provide flexibility. These formats make it easier to fit therapy around work, parenting, and busy days. They also allow practice of skills between meetings through messaging or chat, so progress can continue outside scheduled sessions.

Client-Centered Therapy

The direction comes from you rather than from a set programme. The therapist offers a warm, non-judgemental space to think out loud and work at your own pace. Online, this rests on the relationship rather than on being in the same room.

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)

CBT looks at the link between what you think, how you feel, and what you do. You work on noticing unhelpful patterns and practising steadier responses. It suits online sessions well, because much of the work happens between appointments and can be talked through from anywhere.

Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT)

Concrete skills for riding out strong emotion, tolerating distress, and handling relationships without things escalating. The skills are practised in daily life, so between-session support by message or phone fits naturally.

Frequently asked questions

What concerns does Melissa commonly address?
She works with stress, anxiety, panic symptoms, depression, self-esteem, and parenting concerns. Additional areas include relationship and family challenges, LGBT issues, career questions, and ADHD.
How would you describe her therapeutic style?
Her style is direct and practical, using choice-focused methods to help people try new behaviors. She combines client-centered listening with clear suggestions and gentle challenge.
What kind of professional background does she have?
She has 12 years of professional therapy experience and over two decades in mental health roles. Her work includes supporting emotion regulation, motivation, and coping skills.
Where is she licensed to practice?
Melissa holds California and Colorado social work credentials listed as CA LCSW 136996 and CO LCSW CSW.09928936.
Which languages are supported for sessions?
Sessions are offered in English.
What session formats are available?
She offers video calls, phone sessions, live chat, and text-based messaging to accommodate different needs.
How are sessions priced?
Cost varies by location and therapist availability and uses a subscription model that can be canceled at any time.
How do I get started with therapy?
Begin by selecting the Start Therapy button, completing a short matching questionnaire, and scheduling according to therapist availability.

Next step

Talk to Melissa

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