About Us

Focused Awareness Counseling
Melissa Cooper, LCSW

Hi, I’m Melissa Cooper, MSW, LCSW, LCDC!

I’m a Licensed Clinical Social Worker who works with Adults who have ongoing challenges with stress and anxiety. My goal is to help you stop feeling overwhelmed and anxious and instill peace of mind and calmness. 

I am an authentic, encouraging, warmhearted counselor that can help you become more present and grounded in the moment and actually enjoy it. I provide care for those experiencing high stress, excessive amounts of worry, and feelings of overwhelm in life.

What makes me different? I make almost anyone feel at ease. People tell me that they can let their guard down around me.

My Journey To Becoming A Counselor

I help clients who experienced difficult childhoods and who may still be affected by them into adulthood. I have worked through my own life struggles by attending counseling and recovery groups, and those experiences are what helps me relate so deeply with clients. Life brings both wonderful and difficult experiences that have shaped who I am and how I help. My struggles are what helped empower me with the ability to identify with other people’s pain.

My life experiences are what led me to become the Counselor I am today.

Helping People is What I am Passionate About

Being a Counselor is an honor. I love guiding people towards positive change and witnessing them achieve more fulfilling lives. The most rewarding thing about being a Counselor is inspiring others to be all they can be.

I am committed to helping clients achieve positive changes and a more fulfilling life.

I Have Compassion for People and Bring Warmth and Understanding to Sessions

I have a natural ability to:

  • Help people identify what they are feeling
  • Reflect people’s thoughts back to them
  • Collaborate with people to set goals and help reach them
  • Accept people and their current life circumstances

People who know me often say that I am a good listener who can help people feel heard and understood. When people feel seen and heard, they can heal.

Our Sessions Are Focused On You

Sessions will provide you with the space to express your thoughts and feelings. Feeling safe and comfortable will help you get in touch with yourself and will assist you in focusing on yourself.

It’s important to me to check in on your progress as we go and stay open to any feedback and questions you may have. There isn’t a “one size fits all” approach to Counseling. Our sessions will fit your specific needs and concerns.

I Embrace the Following Counseling Philosophies:
  • I believe that you are worthy of love and care
  • I believe that emotions heal when they are witnessed and validated
  • I believe that therapy should address the person as a whole – their mind, body, and spirit
  • I believe that taking care of yourself is the most generous thing you can do for the world
  • I believe that sometimes small steps in the right direction end up being the biggest steps in the end
My Professional Background
In my career, I have had a wide array of experiences working in various settings with many different populations. I worked as a program therapist in an inpatient unit at a psychiatric hospital with both teens and chronically mentally ill adults. I worked at an intensive outpatient program with both teens and adults struggling with depression, anxiety, and trauma. I worked at a private practice with children, teens, and adults with various difficulties such as anxiety, panic disorder, depression, relationship issues, complex trauma, grief, self-esteem, divorce, and infidelity. Additionally, I worked part-time with seniors who were in various stages of dementia and provided brain-fitness, and mental health counseling at memory care communities. I currently work with clients at my private practice serving women experiencing anxiety, depression, relationship issues, low self-esteem, and grief. I am passionate about helping clients learn to understand the connection between their thoughts, feelings (both emotionally and physically), and behavior. I am trained in Eye-Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing, which is an evidence-based approach to treating anxiety, panic disorder, depression, and more. I am trained in Equine Assisted Therapy and plan to start offering that service in the near future.
Let’s Discover How I Can Help

Start living in the moment and enjoying it. Get your free phone consultation where you can share what’s going on for you and explore how I can help.

Request your free phone consultation by using the button below. I’m here for you!

Contact us today to start your healing journey.
Insurance accepted. Call to verify your insurance.