I earned a Bachelor of Arts Degree from the University of Nebraska at Lincoln in 2000 and a Master of Science Degree in Community Counseling from the University of Nebraska at Omaha in 2010. I have been licensed by the State of Nebraska as a Licensed Mental Health Professional since 2010, and I am a member of the American Counseling Association and the Association of Private Practice Therapists.
I am experienced at working with adult individuals, who need help with anxiety, depression, grief, and trauma. I also work with clients with severe, persistent mental illness and co-occurring disorders. Additionally, I assist couples dealing with conflict in their relationship. I use Cognitive Behavioral Therapy - in particular Dialectical Behavioral Therapy combined with a client centered and solution focused approach. My goal is to help clients develop the insight and skills they need to be healthy and fulfilled.
Recognizing the importance of the client-therapist relationship in the healing process, I foster it through a warm, genuine, and non-judgmental approach. I also make my office a safe place for clients to share their pain and grow in.
Additional areas of focus: Family conflicts, Trauma and abuse, Grief, Anger management, Self esteem, Career difficulties, Coping with life changes, Compassion fatigue, ADHD, Aging and geriatric issues, Caregiver issues and stress, Communication problems, Coping with natural or human-caused disaster, Eating and food-related issues, Emptiness, Family of origin issues, Family problems, First responder issues, Forgiveness, Guilt and shame, Hospice and end-of-life counseling, Isolation / loneliness, Life purpose, Postpartum depression, Process addiction (porn, exercise, gambling), Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD), Self-love, Social anxiety and phobia
Clinical approaches: Client-Centered Therapy, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Mindfulness Therapy, Solution-Focused Therapy, Trauma-Focused Therapy
NE LIMHP 2603
These quotes represent just a few of the many positive reviews that we have received for Melinda Cocolas. We don't pay anyone to provide their review and they are all made voluntarily. Some people's experience receiving therapy with BetterHelp might be different.
Melinda has been great from the first session. No pressuring or pushing on topics but encouraging open talks with resources to help practice.
Written on Sep 26, 2023 after therapy with Melinda for 2 weeks on issues concerning stress, anxiety, addictions, relationship issues, and intimacy-related issues
She works hard to understand what is bugging me and is a great listener! She has great tools and advice.
Written on Aug 31, 2023 after therapy with Melinda for 4 weeks on issues concerning depression, stress, anxiety, addictions, relationship issues, family conflicts, trauma and abuse, grief, intimacy-related issues, and eating disorders
I am very happy so far with Melinda's assistance and insight.
Written on Oct 08, 2021 after therapy with Melinda for 3 weeks on issues concerning relationship issues, self esteem, and coping with life changes