- Trauma and abuse
- Grief and loss
- Compassion fatigue
About Melisa
Melisa Maling is a Colorado-licensed clinical social worker (LCSW) with 33 years of experience. She works with adults on issues such as trauma and abuse, grief and loss, compassion fatigue, parenting concerns, and self-esteem. Her practice also addresses adoption and foster care matters, attachment concerns, communication problems, forgiveness, guilt and shame, life purpose, post-traumatic stress, self-love, women's issues, and workplace stress.
She uses practical conversation and goal-focused steps in sessions. Melisa draws from client-centered methods to listen and respond to what each person brings. She also uses Cognitive Behavioral Therapy to look at thoughts and behaviors that keep people stuck, and Trauma-Focused Therapy when past events continue to cause distress.
Her style is straightforward and respectful. She adapts the discussion and plan to each person's situation, balancing short-term problem solving with attention to deeper patterns. Motivational Interviewing helps when someone wants to strengthen commitment to change, and Solution-Focused Therapy supports quick, concrete shifts when those are needed.
Melisa has experience working with professionals as well as those dealing with caregiving strain and loss. Sessions tend to focus on clear, manageable steps and on improving how people cope day to day. She encourages people to bring the specific situations that trouble them so work can be practical and relevant.
To begin, readers should use the site's matching process to schedule a first session and describe the concerns they want to address. Melisa works in English and practices in Colorado as LCSW, CSW.
How her approaches translate to online work
Melisa uses Client-Centered Therapy to listen closely and shape sessions around what matters to each person. This approach emphasizes the person's perspective, helping the therapist follow concerns about guilt, shame, grief, or workplace strain rather than imposing a fixed plan. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) is used to identify unhelpful thoughts and test new behaviors; CBT often includes simple exercises and concrete homework to try between sessions. Trauma-Focused Therapy is applied when past events continue to cause symptoms, with careful attention to pacing and coping skills to manage strong emotions.Choosing the right approach is part of the work together. Melisa will discuss options and help decide which methods match the client's needs, goals, and preferences, so planning feels collaborative rather than prescribed.
The profile does not specify the exact online formats she uses, so confirm current session options before booking. In general, online work can make it easier to fit therapy into a busy week, allow shorter check-ins when needed, and reduce travel time for those juggling work or caregiving. Therapists and licensed professionals often use these practical benefits to help maintain steady progress while adjusting methods to what each person finds most helpful.
Areas of expertise
Primary focus
Additional focus areas
Therapeutic approaches
Experience
33+ years
Listed in
Colorado
Languages
English
Frequently asked questions
What kinds of guilt or shame does she address?
She lists guilt and shame among her focus areas and works with feelings that come from relationships, parenting, past events, or personal choices.
How does she approach guilt and shame in sessions?
She combines client-centered listening with Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and Trauma-Focused Therapy to help people understand thoughts and reactions and try new responses.
How much clinical experience does she have?
She has 33 years of professional experience working in social work and related clinical roles.
What are her credentials and where does she practice?
She is credentialed as LCSW and CSW and practices in Colorado.
Does she work with non-English speakers or international clients?
Sessions are offered in English and international clients are not currently accepted.
What session formats are offered?
The original profile does not list specific session formats, so confirm current session options before booking through the matching process.
How are fees handled?
Cost varies with location and sessions use a subscription that can be canceled at any time.
What should I do to get started?
Select the See online therapy options button, complete the short matching questionnaire, and schedule a first session.
Online talk therapy is not emergency care. If you are in danger or thinking about harming yourself, use the crisis numbers.