CBTTherapistsUSA

The therapist listings are provided by BetterHelp and we will earn a commission if you use our link - at no cost to you.

MC Portrait of Dr. Melissa Chovan

Dr. Melissa Chovan

Trauma-informed clinician blending evidence-based care

LCPC, LPC Alabama

Experience
13 years in practice
Focus areas
Stress, Anxiety, Trauma and abuse, Anger
Approaches
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Client-Centered Therapy
Languages
English

About Melissa

Dr. Melissa Chovan brings a clinician's path grounded in varied settings to her therapeutic work.

Background and approach

With 13 years as a practicing therapist and additional professional experience across community mental health, correctional settings, youth services, and independent practice, she draws on a broad base of clinical exposure to address concerns such as anxiety, depression, bipolar disorder, ADHD, trauma, and relationship and family difficulties.

She holds the LCPC and LPC credentials and practices out of Alabama. Her style blends warmth, respect, and interaction, and she emphasizes an individualized approach that matches methods to each person's needs.

Melissa uses tools from cognitive behavioral therapy alongside approaches like DBT, client-centered methods, mindfulness, and motivational interviewing to create practical strategies for coping, communication, and emotional regulation. She also has experience with domestic violence, sexual assault, grief, parenting challenges, career transitions, and intimacy-related issues, and continues professional development around trauma-focused treatments.

Hope, empowerment, a strong therapeutic relationship, and education are central to her work. Prospective clients who want to be heard and are ready to learn and take active steps toward change may find her supportive and collaborative in pursuing their goals.

How evidence-informed approaches translate to online care

Dr. Chovan often integrates cognitive behavioral techniques and client-centered methods when working with clients online. Cognitive behavioral therapy focuses on identifying and adjusting unhelpful thinking and behavior patterns to reduce symptoms like anxiety, depression, and phobias, and it often includes practical skill-building and homework between sessions. Client-centered therapy emphasizes a collaborative, empathetic relationship where the therapist listens deeply and supports a client's own process of growth and self-understanding.

Choosing the right approach is a collaborative process. She works with each person to consider goals, preferences, and which methods feel most useful, adjusting the blend of strategies over time so therapy fits the individual's needs and pace.

Online sessions are offered as video calls, phone sessions, live chat, or text-based messaging to increase flexibility and accessibility. These options allow people to engage from different locations and schedules while maintaining continuity of care, making it easier to keep momentum between appointments and access support that fits everyday life.

Frequently asked questions

What concerns does she address?
She works with a wide range of issues including stress, anxiety, trauma and abuse, anger, depression, addictions, grief, and relationship or family problems.
What is her therapeutic approach like?
Her style is warm, respectful, and interactive, combining client-centered care with techniques from cognitive behavioral therapy, DBT, mindfulness, and motivational interviewing to tailor treatment to each person.
How much clinical experience does she have?
She has 13 years of experience as a therapist and has worked in settings such as community mental health, state prison, alternative education, residential programs, and independent practice.
What credentials and location are listed?
She holds LCPC and LPC credentials with licence details IL LCPC 180.008965 and GA LPC LPC011346, and she practices in Alabama.
Can she work with non-English speakers or international clients?
She provides services in English and is not currently accepting international clients.
Which session formats are available?
Sessions may be scheduled as video calls, phone sessions, live chat, or text-based messaging to accommodate different preferences.
How are fees and subscriptions handled?
Cost varies with location and therapist availability, and sessions use a subscription model that can be canceled at any time.
What are the steps to begin working together?
Begin by selecting the Start Therapy button, completing a short matching questionnaire, and scheduling according to therapist availability.

Areas of expertise

Primary focus

Also works with

AddictionsLGBTRelationship issuesFamily conflictsGriefIntimacy-related issuesParenting issuesCareer difficultiesBipolar disorderCoping with life changesCompassion fatigueADHD

Additional focus areas

CodependencyCommunication problemsControl issuesDivorce and separationDomestic violenceFamily of origin issuesFamily problemsFirst responder issuesGender dysphoriaGuilt and shameLife purposeVeteran and Armed Forces IssuesPhobiasPostpartum depressionPost-traumatic stressSeasonal Affective Disorder (SAD)Sexual assault and abuseSocial anxiety and phobiaWomen's issuesYoung adult issues

Therapeutic approaches

Client-Centered TherapyCognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT)Mindfulness TherapyMotivational InterviewingTrauma-Focused Therapy

Experience

13+ years

Licensed

Alabama, Georgia, Illinois

Languages

English