Therapist profile
Melissa Madriaga, LPC
Licensed Professional Counselor - Family and parenting concerns
Continue with MelissaAbout
- Client-centered work
- Cognitive behavioral tools
- Mindfulness practice
About Melissa
Melissa Madriaga is a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) in Wisconsin with eight years of counseling experience. She works with adults facing stress, anxiety, depression, eating and food-related issues, addictions, relationship and family concerns, parenting strain, trauma and abuse, anger, and coping with life changes.
She uses clear, direct conversation in sessions and leans on practical methods to address day-to-day problems. Melissa practices client-centered work and draws on cognitive behavioral therapy, mindfulness, and narrative approaches to help people notice patterns and try new ways of responding.
Her background includes work with incarcerated and homeless populations and experience supporting members of the LGBTQ community. She also served seven years in the United States Army Reserves. Those roles shaped how she talks about resources, resilience, and the effects of stress over time.
Melissa earned a Master’s degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from Walden University in 2015 and a Bachelor’s in Psychology from Marian University in 2010. She holds an LPC in Wisconsin and runs a private practice called Inner Balance Counseling.
In sessions she often focuses on concrete skills from cognitive behavioral work, short mindfulness practices, and telling and retelling life stories to shift meaning. She also has additional focus areas that include blended family issues, body image, commitment and communication problems, guilt and shame, isolation, money and financial issues, pregnancy and childbirth, veteran and armed forces issues, and forgiveness.
Outside of work she is a single mother of two daughters and enjoys hiking, biking, and exploring Wisconsin.
How sessions work
How Melissa Uses Therapy Approaches Online
Melissa integrates client-centered work and cognitive behavioral therapy into online sessions. Client-centered work focuses on listening and responding to what the person brings. It helps when someone needs straightforward conversation about tough home issues or parenting stress. Cognitive behavioral therapy looks at thoughts and actions and teaches concrete skills to change unhelpful patterns, which is useful for anxiety, depression, and eating-related concerns.She also uses mindfulness practices to help people notice stress and manage short moments of overwhelm. Mindfulness exercises are short and can be used between sessions for steadying mood. Deciding which approach to use is collaborative; the therapist and client figure out what feels most helpful based on goals, life demands, and personal preferences.
The therapist's profile does not list specific online session formats, so confirm the available options before booking. When arranged, online sessions can make it easier to fit therapy into a busy schedule, allow for shorter check-ins if needed, and remove travel time. These practical benefits help parents and adults balance sessions with work, appointments, and family responsibilities.
Areas of focus
Areas of expertise
Primary focus
Also works with
Additional focus areas
Therapeutic approaches
Experience
8+ years
Listed in
Wisconsin
Languages
English
Questions
Frequently asked questions
What kinds of family or parenting concerns does she help with?
She helps people navigate parenting strain, blended family issues, communication problems, and family conflict. These are listed among her practice focus areas.
How would she describe her therapy style?
She uses client-centered methods combined with cognitive behavioral techniques, mindfulness, and narrative approaches. The style emphasizes clear conversation and practical skills.
How much clinical experience does she have?
She has eight years of counseling experience, including work with incarcerated and homeless populations and time in the United States Army Reserves.
What credential does she hold and where is she based?
She is a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) in Wisconsin and practices from that state.
Are sessions offered in other languages or internationally?
Sessions are offered in English. She is not accepting international clients at this time.
What session formats are available?
The original profile does not list specific session formats. Please confirm current session options before booking.
How are fees handled and what is the payment model?
Cost varies with location and sessions use a subscription that can be canceled at any time, per the information provided.
How do I begin working with her?
Start by selecting the See online therapy options button, completing a short matching questionnaire, and scheduling a first session.
Details come from information the therapist supplied to BetterHelp. A license can be checked with the state board.
Online talk therapy is not emergency care. If anyone is in danger, use the crisis numbers.