Melissa Childers-White, LPC

Melissa Childers-White is a Licensed Professional Counselor who helps people manage stress, anxiety, grief, low self-esteem, depression, ADHD, and changes in life circumstances. She focuses on practical steps that fit each person's pace and values direct, steady progress toward realistic goals.

She uses Cognitive Behavioral Therapy ideas alongside mindfulness to help clients notice unhelpful thoughts and try new ways of thinking and acting. Sessions emphasize clear problem-solving and moment-to-moment awareness so people can build coping skills that work day to day.

Melissa earned a Master of Arts in Counseling Psychology from Trinity University in San Antonio, Texas. Her education included an internship that covered medical, sex, and cancer counseling. Before graduate school she studied philosophy, psychology, and Spanish at Vanderbilt University and spent semesters abroad in Spain and Denmark.

Her background outside counseling includes creative work running an art studio and community involvement with local government and volunteering. Those experiences inform a flexible, practical style and an ability to approach problems from different angles.

In sessions she invites clients to engage their thinking alongside hers, using tools such as Socratic questioning and mindfulness practice. She typically schedules sessions during Central Time business hours and balances live video or phone work with messaging when appropriate, helping people take one manageable step at a time toward feeling better.

How CBT and Mindfulness Translate to Online Sessions

Melissa draws on Cognitive Behavioral Therapy to help clients notice and test unhelpful thoughts, and to build concrete behavior changes that reduce anxiety and lift mood. CBT work online often involves tracking thoughts and actions between sessions and practicing new skills in daily life.

She also uses Mindfulness Therapy to teach simple attention and breathing practices that ease stress and increase emotional awareness. Mindfulness exercises can be learned in a video call and then practiced during the week to help manage strong emotions and improve focus.

Deciding which approach to use is a collaborative process. The therapist and client look at the person's goals, symptoms, and preferences and try methods that seem likely to help. That partnership includes checking progress and adjusting techniques if something isn’t working.

Online formats include video calls, phone sessions, live chat, and text-based messaging, giving flexibility for different needs. Video works well for skill teaching and deeper conversation. Phone sessions can fit a quick check-in or when bandwidth is limited. Live chat or messaging is useful for brief updates, homework, or when written reflection helps. These options make it easier to get regular support around work, caregiving, or travel commitments.