Melissa Strauss

Skilled, collaborative therapist for life transitions

LPC Pennsylvania

Experience: 13 years in practice
Focus areas: Stress, Anxiety, Relationship, Grief
Approaches: Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)
Languages: English

About Melissa

Melissa Strauss, LPC, brings 13 years of clinical experience supporting people facing stress, anxiety, relationship challenges, grief, depression, and concerns around self-esteem and identity.

Background and approach

She works with clients dealing with trauma and abuse, intimacy and family issues, eating and sleeping difficulties, parenting and career transitions, bipolar disorder, ADHD, and a range of life changes.

Her practice also addresses specific concerns such as attachment and blended family dynamics, body image and caregiver stress, communication and control issues, fertility and fatherhood matters, and gender dysphoria. Her therapeutic stance is warm, collaborative, and strengths-based, adapting methods to suit each person's situation rather than following a single formula.

Melissa draws on Cognitive Behavioral Therapy alongside Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, attachment-focused work, client-centered techniques, and emotionally focused approaches to help clients build insight, develop new skills, and make meaningful changes. She values client input in shaping sessions and aims to create a respectful, engaging space where practical strategies and deeper emotional work can coexist.

Practicing in Pennsylvania, Melissa holds LPC credentials and accepts international clients for remote care. She offers flexible online formats to fit varying schedules and needs, and uses a subscription model for scheduling that can be canceled at any time.

Evidence-informed approaches for online care

Melissa commonly integrates Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy into her remote work. CBT focuses on identifying unhelpful thoughts and behaviors and learning practical skills to reduce symptoms like anxiety and depression. ACT emphasizes values-guided action and building psychological flexibility so clients can pursue meaningful goals even when difficult feelings arise. Attachment-Based Therapy is also part of her repertoire, exploring relational patterns and emotional bonds to help improve communication and intimacy in close relationships.

Finding the right approach is treated as a collaborative process. The therapist works with each client to evaluate goals, preferences, and what feels most useful in early sessions, adjusting techniques as progress and needs evolve. This shared decision-making helps ensure methods align with the client's priorities and life context.

Online therapy offers practical flexibility through video calls, phone sessions, live chat, or text-based messaging so work can fit into busy schedules and varied locations. These formats support continuity of care, allow for brief check-ins or longer sessions as needed, and can make it easier to maintain progress during life transitions or when in-person visits are not feasible.

Frequently asked questions

What kinds of concerns does Melissa support?

Her practice addresses stress, anxiety, depression, relationship and family problems, grief, trauma and abuse, intimacy-related and identity concerns, eating and sleeping issues, parenting and career challenges, bipolar disorder, ADHD, and other life adjustments.

How would you describe her therapeutic approach and style?

She uses a warm, engaging, strengths-based approach and tailors methods to each client. Treatment draws from Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, ACT, attachment-informed work, client-centered and emotionally focused techniques depending on needs.

What is her clinical background and experience level?

She has 13 years of experience working with individuals, couples, and families across a wide range of concerns and brings varied clinical approaches to her work.

What credentials and location are listed for this therapist?

Melissa is an LPC practicing in Pennsylvania with licence details PA LPC PC008592 and NJ LPC 37PC00767200.

Does she work with speakers of other languages or international clients?

She conducts therapy in English and is available to accept international clients for remote sessions.

Which session formats does she offer?

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

How are fees and payment handled for sessions?

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

What are the first steps 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, AnxietyRelationship issuesGrief Self esteem Depression

Also works with

LGBTFamily conflictsTrauma and abuseIntimacy-related issuesEating disordersSleeping disordersParenting issuesAnger managementCareer difficultiesBipolar disorderCoping with life changesCoachingADHD

Additional focus areas

Attachment issuesBlended family issuesBody imageCaregiver issues and stressCommunication problemsControl issuesEating and food-related issuesFamily of origin issuesFamily problemsFatherhood issuesFertility issuesGender dysphoriaGuilt and shame Isolation / lonelinessLife purposeMen's issuesPolyamory / non-monogamous relationshipsPostpartum depressionPost-traumatic stressPregnancy and childbirthSelf-loveSexualitySocial anxiety and phobiaTraumatic brain injuryWomen's issues

Therapeutic approaches

Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)Attachment-Based TherapyClient-Centered TherapyCognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)Emotionally-Focused Therapy (EFT)Gottman MethodMindfulness TherapySolution-Focused TherapySomatic TherapyTrauma-Focused TherapyInternal Family Systems

Experience

13+ years

Licensed

Pennsylvania, New Jersey

Languages

English