- Client-centered approach
- Solution-focused goals
- Career guidance tools
About Melissa
Melissa Upton is a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) based in Mississippi who focuses on common pressures parents and adults face. She works with people struggling with stress, anxiety, depression, anger, low self-esteem, and parenting concerns. Melissa also supports those coping with relationship and intimacy-related issues and life changes such as divorce or career transitions.
She draws on 14 years of counseling experience and many more years working in the public school system. That background gave her a lot of hands-on time helping adolescents with anger management, coping skills, anxiety, ADHD-related concerns, and academic and career planning. Melissa now offers more one-on-one counseling for a wider range of ages and concerns.
Her style centers on the client. She listens first, helping people say what matters and decide practical next steps. She uses Solution-Focused Therapy to set short-term goals and find what works now. Sessions are conversational and direct, with an emphasis on useful strategies you can try between meetings.
Melissa also brings career counseling tools such as the RIASEC career inventory when work or school decisions are part of the concern. She aims to treat everyone with respect and compassion and to create a space where people can be themselves while they work through problems.
If someone is ready to begin self-help and make changes, Melissa offers support to start that process and to build more balance and satisfaction in daily life.
How Melissa Uses Client-Centered and Solution-Focused Work Online
Melissa uses Client-Centered Therapy to build a trusting working relationship. That means sessions begin with open listening and reflection so people can say what matters most. This approach helps when emotional safety and being heard are the first priorities.She also uses Solution-Focused Therapy to set clear, short-term goals. That method focuses on small, practical steps and on what already works for the person. It can be useful for managing stress, anxiety, parenting challenges, and adjusting after life changes.
Choosing the right approach is part of the process. Melissa collaborates with each person to decide which methods fit their needs, goals, and preferences. Together they try strategies and adjust the plan based on what helps.
Because the therapist's session formats are not specified here, confirm current options before booking. Online therapy can make it easier to fit counseling into a busy week, reduce travel time, and allow shorter check-ins when that fits the schedule. It can also let people focus on practical homework between meetings and bring real-life situations into session conversations.
Areas of expertise
Primary focus
Also works with
Additional focus areas
Therapeutic approaches
Experience
14+ years
Listed in
Mississippi
Languages
English
Frequently asked questions
What issues does Melissa help with?
She supports people facing stress, anxiety, depression, anger, self-esteem struggles, parenting concerns, relationship and intimacy-related issues, trauma and abuse, ADHD, and related family problems.
How would you describe her therapy style?
Her approach is client-centered and practical. She listens first, then works with clients to set short-term, solution-focused goals and try strategies between sessions.
What kind of experience does she bring?
She has 14 years of counseling experience and 25 years working in the public school system in Mississippi, primarily helping adolescents with emotional and academic concerns.
Where is Melissa licensed and practicing?
Melissa holds the LPC credential and practices in Mississippi.
Which languages are supported for sessions?
Sessions are offered in English.
Can international clients work with Melissa?
International clients are not currently accepted.
How are sessions scheduled and paid for?
Costs vary with location and therapist availability; sessions use a subscription model that can be canceled at any time.
What should I do to get started?
Click the Start Therapy button, complete the short matching questionnaire, and then schedule according to therapist availability.