Melissa Seidel, MSW, LICSW

Specialties

About Melissa

Being human is complicated. Some seasons stretch us in ways we never expected. Becoming a parent. Receiving a new diagnosis. Losing someone you love. Questioning your faith. Feeling anxious, overwhelmed, or unsure of who you are anymore. Whatever brings you here, you don't have to have it all figured out before coming to therapy. Honestly, that's kind of the point. I work with children, teens, and adults navigating ADHD, anxiety, depression, trauma, grief, relationship challenges, life transitions, and religious deconstruction. I have a special passion for supporting women through infertility, pregnancy, postpartum, and the many identity shifts that come with becoming a parent. It's one of the most beautiful, exhausting, disorienting, and transformative seasons of life, and you don't have to navigate it alone. My style is conversational, collaborative, and deeply human. I want therapy to feel less like talking to an expert and more like sitting with someone who isn't afraid of your humanity. Together, we'll make room for the messy parts with curiosity, compassion, and humor. As someone who understands ADHD both personally and professionally, I know that every brain works differently. I often doodle during sessions because it helps me stay present, and I encourage clients to do whatever helps them feel grounded too, whether that's coloring, knitting, holding a fidget, folding laundry, or simply taking a deep breath. Therapy isn't about performing. It's about showing up as you are. My work is informed by Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Psychodynamic Therapy, Internal Family Systems (IFS), Brainspotting, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), mindfulness, and psychoeducation. Rather than following a one-size-fits-all approach, I draw from these approaches based on your unique needs, personality, and goals. I love helping clients notice the deeper patterns in their lives, make sense of their experiences, and build a more compassionate relationship with themselves. I also practice from a Health at Every Size (HAES) perspective, believing that healing happens best when people are treated with dignity, respect, and compassion. If I had to describe what therapy with me feels like, I'd hope it feels like sitting down with someone who isn't rattled by your mess, who laughs easily, notices the deeper patterns, and keeps reminding you to have a little more grace for yourself.

Approaches & modalities