Melissa Burnes, Intern (Located virtually in MA, PA, VA,NJ, IN AND FL)

Melissa Burnes believes that every person's story is shaped by their experiences, and she is passionate about helping clients navigate life's challenges with compassion, understanding, and practical support.

Having lived in multiple countries, relocated more than twenty times, and built a life as part of an expatriate family, Melissa has a unique understanding of identity, belonging, resilience, and the emotional impact of major life transitions. Her professional background in international development and diplomacy, combined with her personal experiences, allows her to connect with individuals facing change, uncertainty, cultural adjustment, and the challenges of building community in new environments.

Melissa works with teenagers and adults experiencing anxiety, depression, stress, grief and loss, relationship concerns, parenting challenges, career transitions, low self-esteem, compassion fatigue, and major life changes. She has a special interest in supporting expatriates, diplomats, government and military families, caregivers, helping professionals, and individuals adjusting to relocation or significant personal transitions. She also enjoys working with clients coping with illness, injury, disability, and other health-related changes.

As both an endurance athlete and someone who has personally recovered from a life-changing physical injury, Melissa understands the emotional and psychological impact that health challenges can have on identity, relationships, and daily life. She brings empathy, encouragement, and hope to clients navigating these experiences.

Melissa's therapeutic approach is warm, collaborative, trauma-informed, and strengths-based. She utilizes evidence-based approaches including Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Motivational Interviewing, Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT), mindfulness-based interventions, solution-focused techniques, and client-centered therapy. She is committed to creating a safe, supportive, and nonjudgmental space where clients feel heard, respected, and empowered to build resilience, develop effective coping skills, and work toward meaningful, lasting change.

Melissa welcomes individuals from diverse cultural backgrounds and speaks conversational Spanish. Whether you're adjusting to a new chapter in life, working through difficult emotions, or seeking greater balance and purpose, she believes healing begins one step at a time—and she looks forward to walking alongside you on that journey.

Expertise

Anxiety

Body Pain/Inflammation

Career difficulties

Compassion fatigue

Coping with grief and loss

Coping with life changes

Depression

Digestive Disorders

Motivation, self-esteem, and confidence

Parenting issues

Stress Management

Cultural adjustments (for individuals returning to or leaving the United States)

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Additional Focus Areas/Expertise

I also have a particular interest in supporting individuals adjusting to illness, injury, disability, or other health-related changes. As an endurance athlete who has personally navigated a life-changing physical injury and recovery, I understand how physical challenges can affect identity, relationships, goals, and overall well-being. I speak conversational Spanish and welcome clients from diverse backgrounds and experiences.

Populations

Teenagers (13-17)

Groups

Adults

Clinical Approaches

Client-Centered Therapy

Motivational Interviewing

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)

Emotionally-Focused Therapy (EFT)

Mindfulness Therapy

Solution-Focused Therapy

Yoga