Melody Richards, MA, LPCC

As a counselor, I am dedicated to providing high quality professional services. Some seasons of life are difficult and can leave you feeling overwhelmed, anxious, depressed and hopeless. I believe in each individual’s potential for growth and change and work to help you feel understood and supported, while empowering you toward more effective patterns of thinking, feeling, and behaving. I am passionate about helping people grow and experience hope by developing cognitive, emotional, and spiritual capabilities for addressing past wounds and current challenges.

I integrate complementary methodologies to offer a personalized approach depending upon the individual client needs. I utilize a cognitive behavioral approach as we often have thought patterns and beliefs that cause problems with functioning and relationships. This helps clients increase their insight and identify thoughts and behaviors that may be limiting them. I help clients to understand their brain, which enhances their ability to develop the necessary skills for emotional and self-regulation. Trained in providing EMDR as a successful therapeutic model. Find out more about this therapy approach at www.emdr.com.

For couples, I offer a structured method that helps break through barriers to achieve greater understanding, connection and intimacy in their relationships. I also offer Discernment Counseling, which helps couples where one person is “leaning in” and interested in rebuilding the marriage and the other is “leaning out” of the relationship and is considering divorce.

My passion for grief and loss counseling stems from having experienced the tragic death of my daughter in a car accident. I would like to walk through this valley of grief with you and help you to re-engage in life and move forward towards healing.

My value system comes from a Christian perspective, yet I respect other faith and non-faith perspectives. It is up to the client to decide whether faith, prayer, and biblical principles are pursued in therapy sessions. I look forward to working with you in a caring environment where you can find hope and healing.