Melissa Brierley

Practical skills and compassionate support

LCSW New York

Experience: 10 years in practice
Focus areas: Stress, Anxiety, Trauma and abuse, Self esteem
Approaches: Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT)
Languages: English

About Melissa

Melissa Brierley is a licensed clinical social worker (LCSW) in New York who draws on a decade of clinical experience to help people manage stress, anxiety, trauma, and life transitions.

Background and approach

She emphasizes cognitive behavioral techniques among other approaches to help clients identify unhelpful patterns and build practical coping skills. Melissa frames therapy as a collaborative process that honors each person's strengths and life story.

Her work addresses a range of concerns including self-esteem, career challenges, and the aftermath of abuse or post-traumatic stress. She also supports clients navigating body image struggles, communication problems, divorce and separation, guilt and shame, loneliness, women's issues, and workplace difficulties.

Melissa aims to empower clients to take steps toward a more fulfilling life by combining skill-building with attention to emotional experience. Clients can expect an encouraging, strengths-focused stance that balances action-oriented strategies with exploration of underlying patterns.

Melissa helps people find practical tools and new perspectives to manage symptoms and move toward personal goals, offering adaptable support tailored to each person's needs.

CBT, Trauma Work, and Online Care for Real-Life Challenges

Melissa integrates Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) into online work to help clients recognize unhelpful thoughts and develop practical strategies for coping with anxiety, stress, and workplace or relationship difficulties. She also draws on Trauma-Focused Therapy to address the effects of abuse and post-traumatic stress by focusing on healing from traumatic experiences in a paced, supportive manner.

Choosing the right therapeutic approach is a collaborative process. Melissa partners with clients to assess goals, preferences, and symptoms, then adapts methods so the work fits the person's life and priorities rather than using a one-size-fits-all plan.

Online therapy with Melissa is offered through flexible formats including video calls, phone sessions, live chat, and text-based messaging. These options make it easier to fit sessions into busy schedules, maintain continuity during life changes, and access therapy from home or other convenient locations while working toward measurable change.

Frequently asked questions

What issues does Melissa commonly address?

She works with stress, anxiety, trauma and abuse, self esteem and career concerns, plus coping with life changes and related areas such as body image and workplace issues.

Which therapeutic approaches does she use in sessions?

Melissa uses a mix of approaches including Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), Psychodynamic Therapy, and Trauma-Focused Therapy to tailor care to each person's needs.

How long has she been practicing?

She has 10 years of professional experience providing clinical services in varied settings.

Where is Melissa licensed to practice?

Melissa holds the credential LCSW and is licensed in New York under NY LCSW 084239.

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

Sessions are offered in English, and she is not currently accepting international clients.

What session formats are available for working together?

She provides video calls, phone sessions, live chat, and text-based messaging to accommodate different preferences.

How are fees and payment structured?

Cost varies with location and therapist availability; sessions are delivered via a subscription model that can be canceled at any time.

What are the first steps to begin therapy with her?

Begin by selecting the Start Therapy button, completing a short matching questionnaire, and scheduling a session according to therapist availability.

Areas of expertise

Primary focus

Stress, Anxiety Trauma and abuse Self esteemCareer difficultiesCoping with life changes

Additional focus areas

Body imageCommunication problemsDivorce and separationGuilt and shame Isolation / loneliness Post-traumatic stressWomen's issuesWorkplace issues

Therapeutic approaches

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT)Psychodynamic TherapyTrauma-Focused Therapy

Experience

10+ years

Licensed

New York

Languages

English