Melissa Benson, LMHC, LCMHC

Therapist in Florida

Compassionate counselor focused on everyday change

Continue with Melissa Review online therapy options on BetterHelp.

Depression support
Practical tools
Client-centered care

About Melissa

Melissa Benson is a Licensed Mental Health Counselor with 24 years of experience helping people work through depression, grief, addictions, and major life changes. She offers a calm, respectful presence and focuses on practical steps that make daily life more manageable. She listens carefully and adapts sessions to each person’s needs.

She uses a conversational, client-centered style. That means the conversation guides the work and goals come from the person in the room. Melissa also draws on cognitive behavioral tools to help rethink unhelpful patterns. Mindfulness techniques are used to reduce stress and improve focus when needed.

Sessions are collaborative and goal-oriented. Melissa will help set small, achievable steps and check progress along the way. She pays attention to what’s working and adjusts the plan as life changes.

Her background includes long-term practice in Florida, with broad experience supporting people facing relationship strain, sleep and eating concerns, anger, self-esteem struggles, ADHD, and bipolar-related issues. She has also worked with people coping with trauma and abuse and with aging-related concerns.

Melissa frames therapy as a team effort. She emphasizes respect, sensitivity, and compassion while helping people build skills to manage symptoms and improve daily functioning.

This summary is based on the profile information listed on BetterHelp.

Side note

Areas of expertise

Primary focus

Stress, Anxiety Grief Depression Coping with life changesADHD

Also works with

AddictionsLGBTRelationship issuesFamily conflictsTrauma and abuseIntimacy-related issuesEating disordersSleeping disordersParenting issuesAnger managementSelf esteemBipolar disorder

Additional focus areas

Aging and geriatric issuesAntisocial personalityAvoidant personalityBody imageCodependencyCommitment issuesCommunication problemsCoping with natural or human-caused disasterDependent personalityDivorce and separationDrug and alcohol addictionEating and food-related issuesEmptinessFamily problemsFatherhood issuesGuilt and shameHearing impairedHoardingInfidelityIsolation / lonelinessJealousyLife purpose Midlife crisisVeteran and Armed Forces IssuesMood disordersNarcissismObsessions, compulsions, and OCDPanic disorder and panic attacksPhobiasPolyamory / non-monogamous relationshipsPostpartum depressionPost-traumatic stressSelf-loveSocial anxiety and phobiaWomen's issuesYoung adult issues

Therapeutic approaches

Client-Centered TherapyCognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)Mindfulness TherapyMotivational InterviewingSolution-Focused TherapyTrauma-Focused Therapy

Experience

24+ years

Credentials

Florida, Utah

Languages

English

Licenses listed

LMHC, Florida: MH11037
LCMHC, Utah: 13189238-6004
NPI: 1558704767

As listed on the therapist's profile. You can check a license with the state licensing board and an NPI in the national registry.

How Melissa uses proven approaches in online work

Client-centered therapy puts the person’s priorities first. In this approach the therapist follows the client’s lead, listens closely, and helps clarify goals. It is useful when someone needs a safe space to talk through what matters most.

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, or CBT, focuses on spotting and changing unhelpful thoughts and behaviors. It often involves small exercises and homework to test new ways of thinking. CBT can help with depression, anxiety, sleep problems, and day-to-day coping skills.

Mindfulness Therapy teaches simple awareness skills to reduce stress and increase focus. Short breathing or attention exercises are used to manage emotional ups and downs and improve moment-to-moment control.

Choosing the right approach is part of the work together. The therapist will collaborate with each person to find techniques that match their needs, goals, and preferences and will adapt methods over time as progress is made.

Session logistics should be confirmed before booking because formats are not listed here. Many people find online therapy helps fit appointments into busy lives, makes shorter check-ins easier to schedule, and reduces travel time. Ask about available session options to see which setup best fits your routine and comfort.

Frequently asked questions

What concerns does Melissa help with?

She supports people facing depression, grief, addictions, anxiety, stress, and coping with life changes, along with related issues like sleep, eating, and self-esteem.

What is her therapeutic style?

She practices a client-centered approach that tailors conversations and goals to each person, and combines that with practical methods such as cognitive behavioral and mindfulness techniques.

How much experience does she have?

Melissa has 24 years of professional experience working in mental health settings and with a wide range of concerns.

What credentials and location apply?

She holds the LMHC and LCMHC credentials and is licensed in Florida.

Which languages are supported?

Sessions are offered in English and international clients are not accepted at this time.

What session formats are available?

Session formats are not specified here; please confirm current session options before booking to learn whether phone or video sessions are an option.

How does payment and cost work?

Cost varies with location and therapist availability; sessions use a subscription that can be canceled at any time.

How do I get started?

Select the Start Therapy button, complete a short matching questionnaire, and schedule based on the therapist's available times.

Therapists on BetterHelp do not prescribe medication. A doctor can talk with you about medical options. If you are thinking about suicide, call or text 988; in an emergency, call 911.