Melissa Killough

Melissa Killough is a licensed professional counselor with over 30 years of experience. She works with people facing stress, anxiety, grief, addictions, anger, and life transitions, and she aims to help them move toward a more satisfying life. Her style is warm and direct, and she encourages clients to build on their existing strengths.

Melissa believes each person knows their own story best. She treats clients as collaborators and pays attention to what matters most to them. Sessions focus on setting clear goals and taking practical steps that fit daily life.

Her work often draws on client-centered therapy to follow the client’s lead and prioritize their values. She also uses cognitive behavioral techniques to identify unhelpful thinking and try new behaviors. Motivational interviewing is part of her approach when people are weighing change, especially around addictions and habits.

Melissa brings steady experience to complex problems like parenting stress, compassion fatigue, relationship strain, and career uncertainty. She helps people manage emotions, build coping skills, and plan concrete next steps. The aim is honest conversation that leads to useful change.

People who choose Melissa will find a calm, practical partner for the work. She supports the process of change without pressuring quick fixes, and she works with each person at a pace that fits their needs.

How therapeutic approaches translate to online care

Client-Centered Therapy focuses on listening closely and following the client’s priorities; online sessions let the therapist and client name goals and move at a comfortable pace. This approach is helpful for people who want a respectful, nonjudgmental space to sort through emotions and priorities.

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) looks at how thoughts, feelings, and behaviors connect and uses short experiments to try new ways of coping. Online work can include focused skill-building, homework between sessions, and step-by-step plans for managing anxiety, anger, or depressive patterns.

Motivational Interviewing supports people who are weighing change by exploring ambivalence and strengthening personal reasons for moving forward. It pairs well with addiction work and other goals where motivation matters.

Finding the right approach is part of the work. The therapist will talk with the client about their needs, goals, and preferences and then recommend an approach or mix of approaches. This is a collaborative process that can shift as progress is made.

Session logistics should be confirmed before booking since formats are not listed here. Ask about how sessions are scheduled and which formats are offered. Online work can make it easier to fit appointments around work, reduce travel time, allow shorter check-ins, and support continuity when life is busy.