Melissa Harris

Compassionate, practical therapy for life challenges

LPC Tennessee

Experience: 8 years in practice
Focus areas: Stress, Anxiety, Family, Trauma and abuse
Approaches: Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)
Languages: English

About Melissa

Melissa Harris is a licensed professional counselor in Tennessee with eight years of experience helping people navigate complex emotional and life challenges. She blends practical, evidence-informed techniques with a compassionate, client-centered stance to address issues such as stress, anxiety, trauma and abuse, grief, ADHD, addiction, and mood disorders.

Background and approach

Her LPC credential (TN LPC 6019) anchors a practice that emphasizes individualized care and problem-solving skills. Melissa’s work also reaches concerns around relationships and intimacy, parenting and family dynamics, eating and body image, and coping with life changes.

She draws from Cognitive Behavioral Therapy alongside Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, attachment-based perspectives, and skills-oriented approaches like DBT to help clients identify patterns, manage strong emotions, and build healthier habits. Her aim is to support clients in developing resilience, clearer communication, and practical strategies for daily life.

Clients can expect a collaborative, respectful environment where goals are shaped together and treatment is adapted to each person’s needs. Melissa welcomes English-speaking and international clients and offers multiple remote session formats to accommodate different schedules and circumstances.

Combining proven approaches with flexible online care

Melissa often draws on Cognitive Behavioral Therapy to help clients notice how thoughts and behaviors interact and to develop practical skills for managing anxiety, mood symptoms, and stress. She also uses Acceptance and Commitment Therapy to support values-based action and to help people increase psychological flexibility when facing difficult emotions. These approaches are offered within a client-centered, attachment-aware framework that emphasizes collaboration and understanding of relational patterns.

Choosing the right approach is viewed as a collaborative process. Melissa works together with each client to identify goals, try strategies, and adjust methods based on what feels most helpful. This flexible, goal-oriented stance helps clients find a therapeutic pathway that fits their needs and preferences rather than following a one-size-fits-all plan.

Online sessions are available through video calls, phone sessions, live chat, or text-based messaging, which can make it easier to fit therapy into busy lives or when in-person visits aren’t practical. These remote options offer schedule flexibility and allow clients to continue care from different locations while working with a licensed professional who integrates CBT, ACT, and attachment-informed techniques into remote practice.

Frequently asked questions

What kinds of issues does she address?

She works with a broad range of concerns including stress, anxiety, trauma and abuse, grief, ADHD, addictions, relationship and intimacy issues, depression, and self-esteem.

What is her therapeutic style and approach?

The approach is compassionate and client-centered, using evidence-based methods such as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, ACT, DBT, and attachment-informed work to tailor strategies to each person.

How much clinical experience does she have?

Melissa has eight years of professional experience providing mental health care and supporting clients through a variety of life challenges.

What are her credentials and where is she licensed?

She holds an LPC credential and is licensed in Tennessee with licence number TN LPC 6019.

Does she work with clients who live outside the United States?

Yes, she accepts international clients and conducts therapy in English for people located outside the U.S.

In what formats are sessions offered?

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

How are therapy fees handled?

Costs vary with client location and therapist availability, and sessions are provided through a subscription model that can be canceled at any time.

What steps are required to begin working together?

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

Areas of expertise

Primary focus

Stress, AnxietyFamily conflictsTrauma and abuse Grief ADHD

Also works with

AddictionsLGBTRelationship issuesIntimacy-related issuesEating disordersParenting issuesAnger managementSelf esteemBipolar disorderDepression Coping with life changesCoachingCompassion fatigue

Additional focus areas

AbandonmentAdoption and foster careAging and geriatric issuesAntisocial personalityAttachment issuesAutism and Asperger SyndromeAvoidant personalityBlended family issuesCancerCaregiver issues and stressChronic pain, illness, and disabilityCo-morbidityCodependencyCommitment issuesCommunication problemsControl issuesCoping with natural or human-caused disasterDependent personalityDisruptive Mood Dysregulation Disorder (DMDD)DissociationDivorce and separationDomestic violenceDrug and alcohol addictionEating and food-related issuesEmptinessFamily of origin issuesFamily problemsFatherhood issuesFertility issuesFirst responder issuesForgivenessGender dysphoriaGuilt and shameHoardingHospice and end-of-life counselingImmigration issuesImpulsivityInfidelityIntellectual disabilityIsolation / lonelinessJealousyLife purposeMidlife crisisMoney and financial issuesMood disordersMulticultural concernsNarcissismObsessions, compulsions, and OCD Panic disorder and panic attacksParanoiaPersonality disordersPhobiasPostpartum depressionPost-traumatic stressPregnancy and childbirthPrejudice and discriminationProcess addiction (porn, exercise, gambling)Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD)Self-harmSelf-loveSex addictionSexual assault and abuseSexualitySmoking / vaping cessationSocial anxiety and phobiaTrichotillomaniaWomen's issuesWorkplace issuesYoung adult issues

Therapeutic approaches

Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)Attachment-Based TherapyClient-Centered TherapyCognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT)Emotionally-Focused Therapy (EFT)Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR)Gottman MethodMindfulness TherapyMotivational InterviewingNarrative TherapyPsychodynamic TherapySolution-Focused TherapyTrauma-Focused TherapyInternal Family SystemsSystemic Therapy

Experience

8+ years

Licensed

Tennessee

Languages

English