- CBT techniques
- Attachment focus
- Emotionally-Focused work
About Melissa
Melissa Strauss is a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) based in Pennsylvania with 13 years of experience. She works with adults on stress, anxiety, relationship concerns, grief, self-esteem, depression, LGBT issues, and family matters including family of origin issues.
She helps people who notice old family patterns shaping their decisions and relationships. Sessions focus on clear, practical steps. Conversations look at how beliefs learned at home affect current behavior and feelings. Work can include addressing attachment concerns, blended family strains, and communication problems.
Her approach mixes concrete techniques and relational work. Melissa uses Cognitive Behavioral Therapy to identify and change unhelpful thoughts. She draws on Attachment-Based ideas to map how early connections affect current relationships. Emotionally-Focused elements are used to clarify and process feelings in the moment.
In sessions she encourages action between meetings, such as short experiments or behavior changes to test new ways of relating. She also addresses life tasks like career decisions, parenting strains, and caregiver stress. For people dealing with identity or gender questions, the focus is on understanding values and practical coping strategies.
Melissa frames therapy as a collaborative process. She listens for patterns from a person's family of origin and then helps plan steps to shift those patterns. People who want straightforward, skills-oriented work with attention to relationships may find this approach useful.
How Melissa’s approaches translate to online work
Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) focuses on clarifying what matters to a person and taking committed action toward those values. It helps with anxiety, depression, and decisions by pairing mindfulness with concrete behavior changes. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) looks at the link between thoughts, feelings, and behavior and teaches practical strategies to test and shift unhelpful thinking patterns. This is useful for stress, sleep and mood concerns. Attachment-Based Therapy explores how early relationship patterns influence current connections and communication. It helps people recognize automatic roles learned from family and try new ways of relating.Choosing an approach is part of the work. The therapist will discuss options and together with the client decide which methods fit the person’s goals, needs, and preferences. That collaborative planning can include combining elements from different approaches when it makes sense.
The original biography did not list specific session formats, so confirm current online options before booking. In general, online sessions can make it easier to fit therapy into a day - for example, scheduling during a work break or avoiding travel time. Some formats also allow shorter check-ins or phone conversations when video is not practical. Discuss format and scheduling when you complete the intake questionnaire so sessions match daily routines and goals.
Areas of expertise
Primary focus
Also works with
Additional focus areas
Therapeutic approaches
Experience
13+ years
Listed in
Pennsylvania, New Jersey
Languages
English
Frequently asked questions
What concerns does she address related to family patterns?
She works with family of origin issues, attachment concerns, communication problems, and broader family dynamics that influence current relationships.
What is her therapeutic style like?
She combines practical, skills-based work with relational exploration, using clear techniques and in-session attention to emotions and interaction patterns.
How much clinical experience does she have?
She has 13 years of experience as a licensed counselor working with individuals on relationship and life-change issues.
What credentials and where is she licensed?
She is a Licensed Professional Counselor, with licensure in Pennsylvania and also holds a New Jersey LPC credential as listed.
Which languages and international work are supported?
Sessions are offered in English and she accepts international clients.
What session formats are available?
The original biography did not specify session formats; please confirm current session options before booking.
How are sessions paid for and what does cost look like?
Cost varies with location and sessions use a subscription that can be canceled at any time.
How do I begin working with her?
Click the See online therapy options button, complete a short matching questionnaire, and schedule a first session.
Online talk therapy is not emergency care. If you are in danger, use the emergency numbers. Looking for someone else? Find them by surname.