- Collaborative planning
- Skills focused
- Trauma informed
About Melissa
Melissa Geiger-Dugandzic is a licensed independent social worker (LISW) practicing in Ohio. She brings eight years of experience supporting adults through stress, anxiety, and addiction concerns. Melissa aims to meet people where they are and offer steady, respectful care.
Her background includes work with people affected by trauma, abuse, and mood disorders. She has also supported first responders, veterans, and adults dealing with gambling or substance use problems. Melissa focuses on practical steps that help people feel more stable and able to cope day to day.
In sessions she uses plain talk and listens closely to what matters to each person. She develops a treatment plan based on the client's goals and current struggles rather than a one-size-fits-all approach. Expect a collaborative pace and clear, concrete strategies to try between meetings.
Melissa incorporates several therapeutic methods, including client-centered work, cognitive behavioral techniques, dialectical behavior skills, EMDR elements, and mindfulness practices. These approaches guide how she addresses anxiety, compulsive behaviors, grief, and codependency concerns.
Her style balances compassion with practical problem solving. She encourages small, achievable changes and helps people build skills for long-term coping. The focus is on gradual progress and strengthening the client’s sense of agency.
How therapeutic approaches translate to online work
Client-Centered Therapy focuses on listening and building a trusting relationship. It helps when someone needs empathy, validation, and a space to sort through feelings. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, or CBT, looks at unhelpful thoughts and patterns and teaches concrete strategies to change them. It is often used for anxiety, depression, and compulsive behaviors. Dialectical Behavior Therapy, DBT, teaches skills for emotion regulation, distress tolerance, and interpersonal effectiveness. Those skills can reduce impulsive actions and improve day-to-day coping.Finding the right approach is part of the work. The therapist will discuss goals and preferences and suggest methods that match the person’s needs. This is a team effort, and adjustments are made as progress is tracked.
Session formats are not listed in the biography, so confirm current options before booking. Online work can make it easier to fit sessions into a busy life, allow shorter check-ins when needed, or avoid travel time. It also lets people try skills and problem solving in their normal routines between meetings. Licensed professionals can guide these choices so therapy supports practical changes without adding burden.
Areas of expertise
Also works with
Additional focus areas
Therapeutic approaches
Experience
8+ years
Credentials
Ohio
Languages
English
Frequently asked questions
What concerns does she commonly address?
She helps people facing stress, anxiety, addiction, trauma and abuse, depression, grief, anger, bipolar concerns, and codependency among other issues.
What is her general approach in therapy?
Her style is collaborative and practical. Sessions focus on listening, setting clear goals, and teaching skills to manage emotions and behaviors.
How much experience does she have?
She has eight years of professional experience working with adults on issues such as addiction, trauma, and mood disorders.
What are her credentials and where is she based?
She holds the LISW credential and practices in Ohio.
Which languages are supported for sessions?
Sessions are offered in English.
Can international clients work with her?
She is not accepting international clients at this time.
How are fees and payments handled?
Cost varies with location and therapist availability; sessions use a subscription that can be canceled at any time.
What are the steps to begin working together?
Start by selecting the Start Therapy button, complete a short matching questionnaire, and then schedule according to therapist availability.
Profile details come from information the therapist supplied to BetterHelp. Credential and registration rules differ between the United States, the United Kingdom and Australia.