Melissa McCauley-Burow

Hello and welcome! I'm Melissa, and I'm so glad you took the difficult step of seeking therapy. I would be honored to work with you. With 18 years in the mental health field, my journey began as a case manager at a community mental health center. I later became certified as a Drug and Alcohol Counselor, completed my master's degree in community counseling, and became a Licensed Professional Counselor. I'm certified by the National Board of Certified Counselors and recognized as an Internationally Certified Reciprocal Alcohol and Drug Counselor. Currently, I'm in the final stages of review as a Certified Mental Health Integrative Medicine Provider, which means we can also focus on how your body works with you or against you in your efforts to maintain mental health. Additionally, I will soon be certified as a Grief and Loss Educator, providing focused services for those struggling after the death of a loved one or another type of loss.

My years of experience have taught me that you are the expert on the functioning of your mind and body. My job is to guide you with honesty and compassion toward new ways of thinking about yourself and your world, teach you effective tools to manage mood and behavior, and encourage you to process whatever is holding you back from living the life you envision.

With a background in education, much of my treatment includes teaching you how your brain and body work together or against you in managing mood, sleep, and physical health. We can explore your nutrition habits and see if there are foods you can incorporate or eliminate to improve your mental health. I believe in the tremendous power of mindfulness, living a mindful life, and using those skills when everything else has failed, and you can't focus long enough to talk yourself through a difficult moment. We come back to the basics of being aware of your body, staying in this present moment, and asking, 'What do I need to do right now to be most effective?' I utilize a wide range of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy techniques and Dialectical Behavioral Therapy skills training to help you change your thought patterns, which will change the way you experience your emotions and improve behaviors. I also teach and give you the opportunity to practice using simple, effective techniques to calm anxiety and depression, regulate mood, increase mental focus, and improve communication and relationships.

My special areas of focus include anxiety, depression, dual disorders (substance abuse and mental health), and grief/loss. I also work with ADHD and have spent many years working with people diagnosed with Borderline Personality Disorder.

Traveling is my favorite pastime, and I also enjoy writing novels and poetry, reading just about any genre, and spending time with my partner and my three adult children.

I look forward to working with you on your journey.