MELISSA COLLINS, LCSW, LCADC

"Sometimes the bravest and most important thing you can do is just show up." — Brené Brown

You might be the one who shows up for everyone else - but are you showing up for yourself? Are you living truly, authentically? Are you exploring the parts of yourself, learning and leaning into who you are? Or are you sacrificing yourself or masking your true self?

To put it simply: life can be hard sometimes. It can also be beautiful, messy, tragic and awe-inspiring. We are faced with the choice of showing up and facing it, going into it, and feeling it - or running from it.

I’m a believer in the value of going inward to do the deep, introspective work that transforms us, our relationships, and the impact we have on the world around us.

My job is to help you show up for yourself. It’s my passion to accompany individuals as they deepen their understanding of themselves and find internal strength and resilience to become the person they are meant to be. My intention is to bring warmth, compassion, hope, frankness, (and at times humor) to the space for you to connect to your true, authentic and balanced self.

“People start to heal the moment they feel heard." — Cheryl Richardson

My Approach + Qualifications

MY APPROACH

My approach can be described as integrating cognitive-behavioral therapy (which is goal-oriented, focuses on faulty thinking, and promotes self-awareness and healthy behaviors) with relational psychotherapy, where a strong foundation of trust and comfort developed between client and therapist is of upmost importance. I integrate evidence-based practices such as:

  • Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT)

  • Motivational Interviewing (MI)

  • Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT)

  • Emotion-focused therapy

  • Solution-Focused Therapy (SFT)

AREAS OF EXPERTISE

  • depression

  • anxiety

  • women’s issues

  • post & perinatal

  • codependency/ACOA

  • relationship issues

  • HSPs (highly sensitive people)

  • perfectionism

  • people pleasing

  • PTSD

  • substance abuse recovery

Masters of Social Work
B.A. - Sociology

EDUCATION

CREDENTIALS

NJ Licensed Clinical Social Worker
lic # 44SC06016900
NJ Licensed Clinical Drug & Alcohol Counselor
lic # 37LC00376400