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Melissa Benson, LMHC

Experienced mental health professional

Provides online counseling through BetterHelp

At a glance

Melissa is an experienced, licensed Mental Health Professional who specializes in affordable online therapy offered through our partner, BetterHelp.

4.5 stars
Clients are very satisfied with Melissa. View 42 reviews
Great news, Melissa is accepting new clients!
She is normally fully-booked.
Speaks English
Offers Telehealth visits
Licensed in Florida and Utah

Recent reviews

I have only had one session but so far I enjoy working with Melissa. She's a great listener and probably solver.

Reviewed November 2024

I had a lot pre conceived thoughts on therapy and whether or not it was good for me but I can’t help but notice the positive impact for me in my life!

Reviewed November 2024

More about Melissa

  • 24 years' experience
  • Female
  • LMHC, LCMHC

I am licensed in Florida with 24 years of professional work experience. I have experience in helping clients with coping with addictions, coping with grief and loss, depression, & coping with life changes. I believe in treating everyone with respect, sensitivity, and compassion. I will tailor our dialog and treatment plan to meet your unique and specific needs. Taking the first step to seeking a more fulfilling and happier life takes courage. I am here to support you in that process.

Specialties

Stress Anxiety Grief Depression Coping with life changes ADHD Addictions LGBT Relationship issues Family conflicts Trauma and abuse Intimacy-related issues Eating disorders Sleeping disorders Parenting issues Anger management Self esteem Bipolar disorder Aging and geriatric issues Antisocial personality Avoidant personality Body image Codependency Commitment issues Communication problems Coping with natural or human-caused disaster Dependent personality Divorce and separation Drug and alcohol addiction Eating and food-related issues Emptiness Family problems Fatherhood issues Guilt and shame Hearing impaired Hoarding Infidelity Isolation / loneliness Jealousy Life purpose Midlife crisis Veteran and Armed Forces Issues Mood disorders Narcissism Obsessions, compulsions, and OCD Panic disorder and panic attacks Phobias Polyamory / non-monogamous relationships Postpartum depression Post-traumatic stress Self-love Social anxiety and phobia Women's issues Young adult issues

Treatment Approaches

  • Client-Centered Therapy
  • Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
  • Mindfulness Therapy
  • Motivational Interviewing
  • Solution-Focused Therapy
  • Trauma-Focused Therapy

Licenses

Melissa Benson's National Provider Identifier (NPI) is 1558704767.

  • LMHC · Florida · MH11037 · Expires March 2025
  • LCMHC · Utah · 13189238-6004 · Expires September 2026

About online counseling

Affordable.
Pay a low flat fee.
Convenient.
Do it at your own time and at your own pace. Communicate whenever you feel it's needed.
Available now.
There is no waiting list and no calls to make. Simply fill out a short questionnaire and send your first message.

Online counseling, also known as teletherapy, is a method of delivering mental health services through digital means such as video conferencing, phone calls, or messaging platforms. It can be an ideal option for individuals who have difficulty accessing traditional therapy due to geographical distance, time constraints, or personal preferences like privacy and comfort. Many people find it easier to open up from the familiarity of their own space.

Teletherapy has been found to be highly effective, with studies showing that it can produce similar outcomes to in-person therapy, particularly for issues like anxiety, depression, and PTSD. The flexibility and accessibility it offers make it a valuable alternative to conventional therapy settings.

Reviews for Melissa Benson

All reviews have been submitted by clients after seeing the provider.

Overall rating:

4.5

42 reviews

5
4
3
2
1

Clients mention: Great Helped Helpful Amazing Grateful Thank you Listens Understand The best Healing

I have only had one session but so far I enjoy working with Melissa. She's a great listener and probably solver.

Reviewed November 2024

I had a lot pre conceived thoughts on therapy and whether or not it was good for me but I can’t help but notice the positive impact for me in my life!

Reviewed November 2024

I really like Melissa's perspective on things, in the past therapist would do little talking but I like how Melissa lets me talk but also explains things with regards to the issue I talk about so that I can learn from it and gain a new perspective.

Reviewed November 2024

I’ve already recommended this excellent service. Melissa is fantastic. So much clarity. My life has better direction

Reviewed September 2024

Melissa is very respectful and works through problems with you in a variety of ways depending on how long it takes for you to successfully work through things. She gives very helpful assignments that will help you identify things that are hard to describe and gives you tools to help yourself.

Reviewed September 2024

Melissa is incredible. Through BetterHelp, I was able to answer questions and get paired with a therapist. I was extremely grateful I got Melissa as my therapist because she has the education, knowledge, and resources far beyond what I ever expected from therapy. As a result of having therapy with Melissa, I have gained a greater sense of myself, those around me, and feel incredible! I look forward to continuing to meet with her and am grateful to feel that Melissa loves what she does and cares about me as a person. I would 1000% recommend her to anyone! Thank you Melissa!

Reviewed May 2024

Melissa is the best. It's always such a powerful session and gives me what I need to reset as well as power through my week.

Reviewed April 2024

Melissa is awesome! Talking to her is as easy as talking to a lifelong friend. She is compassionate, friendly, and able to pinpoint a person's comfort levels and mood in milliseconds.

Reviewed April 2024

She has helped me alot

Reviewed April 2024

I've been using better help and have had the same therapist, Melissa for over a year now. I find it helpful, even in the times you think you don't need to talk to someone. Sometimes we have better sessions when I'm just getting something off my chest and don't have a specific hard issue. Melissa is great and really creative, even helps me come up with ideas for mobile work. Love my sessions with her! Thank you Melissa!

Reviewed March 2024

Melissa is awesome. She's been so helpful in giving me the tools and space to start my healing journey.

Reviewed March 2024

When I started therapy in late 2022, I thought I knew what I needed to work on. As time went on, Melissa helped me uncover things I had repressed. And recently, she helped me uncover some of my hidden talents. I've never felt as excited as I do now and that because Melissa would not give up. She kept asking me the best of questions that made me truly think. She's absolutely amazing!

Reviewed January 2024

I really appreciate Melissa and the way that she brings clarity to the issues I bring to the table. She helps me look at the problems without getting worked up. She provides a safe space to just get things out of my head. I love her depth of understanding and how I don’t have to explain things for her to just understand and know what I’m talking about. It’s really been helpful to work with her

Reviewed January 2024

Compassionate and so much fun to talk to! I enjoyed Melissa's open and unpressured style.

Reviewed May 2023

Melissa has been exactly what I needed.

Reviewed December 2023

Melissa has been great. Not only has she helped with numerous life issues, she is very knowledgeable in other areas as well and is all about helping us be better, cope with family, friends and relationship issues, and has even been great discussing career and side hustle options. Thank you, Melissa! I'll be back after a break.

Reviewed November 2023

Amazing therapist! Listens and really cares!

Reviewed November 2023

Melissa has been a huge help in allowing me to unpack all of my emotions and recenter. She checks on me often if I'm quiet and I can tell she actually cares! I don't know how I would be getting past this difficult time without her.

Reviewed November 2023

Finding Melissa through Betterhelp was amazing, She has helped me through some difficult situations, helped guide me on my journey, kept me accountable to the projects I am working on. She truly listens to everything I say, and advises me accordingly. The best part is that she also calls me out on my nonsense when needed. For this, I am most grateful. I share my experience with better help with everyone I speak with.

Reviewed September 2023

Thank you Melissa for the clarity and perspective you bring to the table! I appreciate how you understand

Reviewed August 2023

She’s very attentive and she always asks questions to understand my views on whatever we are talking about in that session

Reviewed August 2023

Great therapist, with a solid experience and eager to provide supporting options out of the therapy session.

Reviewed July 2023

She cares about her clients! Or should I say her friends/special people. She really takes the time to listen and makes you feel heard. She has good heart and has the experience to help you along the way. I don't feel rushed in our sessions and she always provides helpful information!

Reviewed July 2023

Melissa has so far been great, kind and helpful. Look forward to having great personal sessions with her in the future.

Reviewed July 2023

Melissa is very knowledgeable and has a great ability to communicate and explain. In only two sessions thus far she has already taught me invaluable techniques to learn how to manipulate my psiquis. I look forward to my therapy sessions, not only to feel better, but to learn. She has helped me change many miss conceptions I thought were normal until she gave me a completely different perspective on them and consequently I started seeing things differently and evolve in so many ways. I truly love my sessions with Melissa!

Reviewed July 2023

Melissa is a very non stressed person who helps others through calm reflective thought. I appreciate her calmness to my stress.

Reviewed July 2023

I have only had one session with Melissa, and I am scheduled again for next week. So far, she is amazing… Even though we have only had one session, she keeps in touch through the app. I feel like she listens well and understands exactly what I’m going through and is supportive and offers valuable feedback. I look forward to continuing this journey with Melissa and her support.

Reviewed June 2023

Melissa is awesome! She definitely takes time to listen to what you need to say, and gives you the space you need to open up.

Reviewed April 2023

Melissa seems to understand me better than I do myself.

Reviewed March 2023

Melissa has been great so far. Highly recommended!

Reviewed March 2023

My therapist has helped me out so much! We started working together only a couple of months ago and my life has become so much better since. The real changes in my approach and perspective to my life and issues has drastically changed and that's thanks to her! Highly recommend Melissa and BetterHelp!

Reviewed March 2023

Melissa has been wonderful so far. I feel very fortunate to have her support and expertise.

Reviewed February 2023

Melissa has been very helpful so far. We are just getting started but I am hoping that it contributes to flourish.

Reviewed January 2023

In the short amount of time I have been working with Melissa, I am beyond grateful for how she works with me. It took me a very long time to return to therapy and I feel that she truly understands my needs and is guiding me on an amazing path. I have already referred several people to BetterHelp because of how great I am feeling.

Reviewed December 2022

Melissa is amazing. We just began sessions together and she is my guiding light right now in the confusing world we live in. She will get me sorted out I have a feeling she’s observing me right now as I am all over the place: I am blessed she is helping I was heading down a dark path of no return. Thank you so much Melissa! You I’m are my angel sent by my mom: thanks again and god bless Andrew

Reviewed December 2022

Melissa is great! Thanks for all that you do!

Reviewed December 2022

Since starting working with Melissa I’ve become more insightful about myself and have really been able to open up. I think she is amazing at what she does and it’s very noticeable how passionate she is to work with people and help people.

Reviewed December 2022

So far, I am happy with my therapist and her approach.

Reviewed December 2022

Melissa is compassionate, caring, and kind. She is super fast in responding to messages, very direct in goal setting, and uses positivity to encourage and motivate. You can tell she puts 100% hard work into helping her clients grow to be the best versions of themselves.

Reviewed December 2022

Melissa makes me feel heard, seen, and cared for. Her advice and Biblical counsel has been life healing.

Reviewed December 2022

This is me first time seeking professional help and Melissa has made this process much easier. She listens to all my of my needs and provides professional feedback with guidance on what we will be next steps for healing.

Reviewed December 2022

I am grateful for Melissa. Very comfortable sharing with her! She is Insightful and kind, also helpful in processing thoughts and feelings. Good recommendations for moving forward and upward.

Reviewed December 2022

How was your experience with Melissa?

Frequently asked questions

Does Melissa Benson offer telehealth visits?

Yes. Melissa Benson works with clients by exchanging messages, chatting live, speaking over the phone, or video conferencing based on what works for the client at that particular time.

What language(s) does Melissa Benson speak?

Melissa Benson speaks English.

How many years of experience does Melissa Benson have?

Melissa Benson has 24 years of experience.

Where is Melissa Benson licensed to practice?

Melissa Benson is licensed to practice in Florida and Utah.

Does Melissa Benson accept clients outside of the United States?

No, Melissa Benson does not accept clients outside of the United States.

Is online therapy as effective as in-person therapy?

Numerous studies support the effectiveness of online platforms in facilitating life changes. For instance, research published by JMIR Publications, conducted by teams from the University of Berkeley, UCSF, and SF General Hospital, found that "users of BetterHelp experienced significantly reduced depression symptom severity after engaging with the platform."

What treatment approaches does Melissa Benson offer?

Melissa Benson offers clients Client-Centered Therapy, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Mindfulness Therapy, Motivational Interviewing, Solution-Focused Therapy, and Trauma-Focused Therapy.

How can I communicate with Melissa Benson?

Melissa Benson can be engaged in any one of four ways: (1) Exchanging messages, (2) chatting live, (3) speaking over the phone, or (4) video conferencing. You can use different ways at different times as you wish, based on your needs, availability, and convenience.

How do I get started with Melissa Benson?

Just tap the CHAT NOW button or tap here: A new window will open and you'll be directed to a simple form that will help start the conversation. Please note: It can take up to a few days to be matched to a therapist.

Mental health conditions are real, common, and treatable.

And recovery is possible.

Messaging
Live Chat
Phone
Video

When you tap CHAT NOW a new window will open and you'll be directed to a simple form that will help start the conversation. Please note: It can take up to a few days to be matched to a therapist.