Melissa Benson

Experienced counselor offering tailored CBT-informed care

LMHC, LCMHC Florida

Experience: 24 years in practice
Focus areas: Stress, Anxiety, Grief, Depression
Approaches: Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Client-Centered Therapy
Languages: English

About Melissa

Melissa Benson is a licensed mental health counselor with 24 years of professional experience helping people navigate stress, anxiety, grief, depression, addiction, and major life transitions. She works from a respectful, compassionate stance and adapts conversations and treatment plans to fit each person’s distinct needs.

Background and approach

Her practice also addresses a wide range of related concerns including relationship and family difficulties, intimacy issues, sleep and eating problems, ADHD, bipolar symptoms, and challenges tied to parenting, anger, and self-esteem. She integrates evidence-based approaches such as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) alongside client-centered and mindfulness techniques, drawing on motivational interviewing and solution-focused strategies when appropriate.

Melissa emphasizes collaboration, meeting clients where they are and supporting each step toward greater functioning and well-being. Licensed in Florida, she seeks to create a supportive therapeutic relationship that encourages growth and practical change.

Approaches that guide online care and practical change

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) focuses on identifying unhelpful thinking patterns and testing new behaviors to reduce symptoms of anxiety, depression, and stress-related problems. Client-Centered Therapy emphasizes a nonjudgmental, empathic relationship in which the therapist listens deeply and supports the client's own insights and goals. Mindfulness Therapy teaches present-moment awareness and acceptance skills that can help with emotion regulation, rumination, and coping during periods of grief or life transition.

Finding the right approach is part of the work, and the therapist will collaborate with each client to determine which methods best match their needs, goals, and preferences. That means combining elements of CBT, client-centered listening, and mindfulness practices where useful and adjusting the plan over time based on progress and feedback.

Online sessions through video calls, phone, live chat, or text-based messaging make it easier to fit therapy into busy lives and to access consistent support from licensed professionals. These options allow for flexible scheduling, continued momentum between meetings, and different ways of communicating so clients can choose what feels most practical and comfortable for their situation.

Frequently asked questions

What concerns does she commonly address?

She supports people dealing with stress, anxiety, grief, depression, addictions, and coping with life changes, along with relationship, family, and intimacy-related issues.

What is her therapeutic style like?

Her approach is collaborative and compassionate, tailoring dialogue and treatment plans to each individual's needs while emphasizing respect and sensitivity.

How much experience does she bring to therapy?

She has 24 years of professional work experience in mental health, bringing long-term clinical perspective to a variety of concerns.

What credentials and location apply to her practice?

She is licensed as LMHC and LCMHC with registration numbers FL LMHC MH11037 and UT LCMHC 13189238-6004, and she practices in Florida.

Does she offer services in other languages or to international clients?

She provides services in English and is not currently accepting international clients.

What session formats are available for working together?

Sessions are offered via video calls, phone sessions, live chat, or text-based messaging to accommodate different needs and schedules.

How are costs and subscriptions handled?

Costs vary with location and therapist availability; sessions use a subscription model that can be canceled at any time.

What steps should someone take to begin therapy?

To get started, select the Start Therapy button, complete a short matching questionnaire, and schedule according to therapist availability.

Areas of expertise

Primary focus

Stress, Anxiety Grief Depression Coping with life changes ADHD

Also works with

AddictionsLGBTRelationship issuesFamily conflictsTrauma and abuseIntimacy-related issuesEating disordersSleeping disordersParenting issuesAnger managementSelf esteemBipolar disorder

Additional focus areas

Aging and geriatric issuesAntisocial personalityAvoidant personalityBody imageCodependencyCommitment issuesCommunication problemsCoping with natural or human-caused disasterDependent personalityDivorce and separationDrug and alcohol addictionEating and food-related issuesEmptinessFamily problemsFatherhood issuesGuilt and shameHearing impairedHoardingInfidelityIsolation / lonelinessJealousyLife purposeMidlife crisisVeteran and Armed Forces IssuesMood disordersNarcissismObsessions, compulsions, and OCD Panic disorder and panic attacks PhobiasPolyamory / non-monogamous relationshipsPostpartum depressionPost-traumatic stressSelf-loveSocial anxiety and phobiaWomen's issuesYoung adult issues

Therapeutic approaches

Client-Centered TherapyCognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)Mindfulness TherapyMotivational InterviewingSolution-Focused TherapyTrauma-Focused Therapy

Experience

24+ years

Licensed

Florida, Utah

Languages

English