Melodie Whitmore

“When we are no longer able to change a situation, we are challenged to change ourselves.” Viktor Frankl

It can be scary to look in the mirror and realise that you don’t like the person staring back at you, or the way your life has turned out thus far. Maybe there are big overwhelming things you want to change, or maybe there are minor “tune ups” that need to happen. Whatever your situation: counseling is an excellent resource to figuring out how to fix things, change things, and overcome obstacles in your life. The extensive research on counseling has demonstrated that people that attend counseling for 10 or more sessions feel better and are able to accomplish goals (more than 80% of people surveyed report positive changes because of counseling).*

I approach counseling from a person-centered, holistic framework. This means that in the counseling room, we work on what you want to work on and no one will be forcing you to work on “problems” that you don’t see as problems. We set goals together and re-evaluate often if we’re meeting those goals, or if the whole counseling process is even working for you. Whatever is happening, I will work to pivot my approach and bring new information and techniques to the meetings that are customized to your unique personhood.

I have extensive experience working with individuals who have some sort of trauma in their life, whether that be some huge earth-shattering trauma, or something that an outsider looking into your life wouldn’t necessarily see. Some examples of Trauma can be: childhood trauma, emotional neglect, sexual assault, verbal or physical violence, living with an eating disorder, bullying, living with a mentally ill parent, religious trauma, and countless other situations that one may not have realize are still impacting their lives.

I utilize eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR) to help with more than trauma. EMDR can be incredibly helpful for anxiety, depression, eating disorders, as well as many other mental disorders. I also offer traditional talk therapy utilizing interventions from motivational interviewing, cognitive behavioral therapy, dialectic behavioral therapy, brief solutions-focused therapy and more. In addition, I have experience working with individuals who are experiencing difficulties with overuse of alcohol and drugs and can help plot a course toward harm-reduction and a more rewarding life.

I enjoy working with all ages, but teenagers and young adults specifically are very dear to my heart. It’s during this time that people often are struggling to find their identity, who they love, and what they want out of their lives. It is an honor to be a part of that process as they make the decisions of what is important to them. It’s also during this time that difficult symptoms tend to start making an appearance. Learning how to cope now can lessen the effects later in life and lead to much healthier and holistic outcomes.

The gap between the life you currently live and the life you envision for yourself isn’t as large as you may imagine. I consider it an honor to walk beside you as we forge ahead on your path to wholeness.

*Wampold, B. E. (2001). The great psychotherapy debate: Models, methods, and findings. Mahwah, NJ: Erlbaum.