Melinda Messina, MA

About Melinda Messina


Credentials are important too so that you can make an informed consent about such a personal choice as a psychotherapist.

My MA degree in Rehabilitative Counseling was received from the University of South Florida, Tampa with a BA in Psychology. I’ve been certified as a Rehabilitative Counselor, Applied Behavioral Analyst, Domestic Violence Assessor & Group Facilitator, and Master Addictions Counselor. I also hold the designation of National Board Certified Counselor. Over the past 10 years, I’ve taught Psychology, Counseling, Human Services and other coursework at two community colleges.

Therapeutic approaches

Therapeutic Approaches

Cognitive Behavioral Approach- psychotherapeutic approach that aims to solve problems concerning dysfunctional emotions, behaviors and cognitions through a goal-oriented, systematic procedure, based upon a combination of behavioral and cognitive research

Rogerian Psychotherapy - client-centered therapy, one of the most widely used models in mental health, in which a facilitator provides a therapeutic relationship with the client

Dialectical Therapy - combines standard cognitive-behavioral techniques for emotion regulation and reality-testing with concepts of distress tolerance, acceptance, and mindful awareness largely derived from meditative practice

Critical Incident Stress Debriefing - a semi-structured conversation with an individual who has just experienced a stressful or traumatic event

Traumatic Incident Reduction - brief, one-on-one, non-hypnotic, person-centered, simple and highly structured method for permanently eliminating the negative effects of past traumatic events

Hide this content.

I employ, dependent upon presenting issue include: Cognitive Behavioral, Rogerian, Dialectical, Critical Incident Stress Debriefing, and Traumatic Incident Reduction.

It was my privilege to develop and implement a Domestic Violence Intervention Program which included assessment, group work, and victim case management. My referral base included two Florida judicial districts, the Departments of Corrections and Children & Families, as well as state and county probation.

My experience also includes the development of a school-based intervention program whereby therapeutic services were provided on site to students referred for ADHD, adjustment issues, observation/assessment, abuse and neglect, and behavioral strategies among others. In-service training was provided for teaching staff and family members.

Over the years, I have provided critical incident stress debriefing services for large and local companies and communities in response to hurricanes, bank robberies, bomb threats, work place closures/reduction in force, and also belong to a nationally recognized airport response team.

In addition to my internship, I’ve worked with in-patient populations involving direct and indirect supervision of treatment team professional and para-professional staff. As Rehabilitation Discipline Lead, I was responsible for the coordination of 60+ staff and subsequent award of national accreditation.

Specializations within my private practice over the past 15 years include anger management, anxiety/panic/Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, addictions and co-dependency, recovery from abuse, neglect and other trauma, grief and loss, as well as mood disorders including depression and bi-polar disorder. Also provided are strategies for stress management of such issues as professional burnout and caregiver fatigue.

Marriage and Family Counseling encompasses co-parenting, blending families, dealing with separation and divorce, domestic violence, conflict resolution, marriage and relationship counseling, infidelity and re-establishment of trust and improving communication.

Major practice proficiencies include individual counseling, couples counseling, employee assistance programs, and family and group counseling.