Melissa Geiger-Dugandzic, LISW

Melissa Geiger-Dugandzic is a licensed independent social worker (LISW) practicing in Ohio with eight years of professional experience. She focuses on practical steps people can use to manage stress, anxiety, depression, and problems tied to addiction and trauma. Melissa aims to meet each person where they are and move at a pace that feels manageable.

Her style centers on clear, goal-oriented work. She uses Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, among other approaches, to help people notice unhelpful thoughts and build different habits. Melissa also draws on client-centered and mindfulness approaches to keep sessions grounded in the person’s needs and values.

She has worked with first responders and veterans and has experience addressing gambling and drug or alcohol addiction. Melissa also helps people who struggle with codependency, control issues, shame, impulsivity, isolation, and obsessive or mood-driven patterns. These areas show up together often, and she prioritizes practical tools for coping and daily functioning.

Sessions focus on skills you can try between meetings. Melissa works to make plans that fit everyday life, not abstract goals that stay on paper. She emphasizes respect, sensitivity, and straightforward guidance while people work toward clearer thinking and steadier routines.

To begin, a short matching questionnaire leads to scheduling a format that works for you. Melissa offers multiple ways to connect so people can pick what fits their routines and comfort level.

CBT and Mindful Approaches in Online Care

Melissa commonly uses Cognitive Behavioral Therapy to help people identify and change unhelpful thoughts and behaviors. CBT focuses on concrete exercises and homework, which translates well to online work because people can practice skills between sessions and report back on results.

She also uses client-centered methods that keep the person’s priorities at the center of each session. This means the therapist listens closely and adjusts pacing and goals to fit what matters most to the client. Dialectical Behavior Therapy elements may be used to teach emotion regulation and distress tolerance skills for intense moods and impulsivity.

Finding the right approach is a collaborative process. Melissa will discuss options and tailor therapy based on the client’s needs, goals, and preferences. Together they decide whether CBT, client-centered work, DBT skills, or a mix will best address the issues at hand.

Online formats include video calls, phone sessions, live chat, and text-based messaging. Video sessions let people use visual cues and practice in-session exercises. Phone sessions work well when internet bandwidth is limited or a quick verbal check-in is needed. Live chat and text messaging offer shorter, flexible touchpoints for homework review or brief support between full sessions. These options aim to make therapy fit into busy schedules and varied daily routines.