I began helping others in 1990 as a Peer Counselor while active duty in the Marine Corps. After earning degrees in Psychology and Social Work at UNCW/ECU, I obtained Licensure to practice independently with Virginia Board of Health Professionals in 2004. I am originally from the Hampton Roads area, but have enjoyed working internationally with people from many different backgrounds.
I have 3 decades of experience treating trauma with effective, evidenced based modalities, such as CPT , PET, and EMDR. Whether through individual, couples , or Family therapy, I enjoy bringing others to their best version of themselves. I have a warm and practical approach, frequently using a holistic lens to offer practical techniques such as yoga, acupressure, and breathing techniques to alleviate symptoms. I have successfully treated most issues people experience with compassion, and positivity for the future.
Additional areas of focus: Stress, Anxiety, Grief, Intimacy-related issues, Eating disorders, Sleeping disorders, Parenting issues, Anger management, Self esteem, Career difficulties, Bipolar disorder, Coping with life changes, Compassion fatigue, ADHD, Abandonment, Adoption and foster care, Aging and geriatric issues, Attachment issues, Avoidant personality, Body image, Caregiver issues and stress, Chronic pain, illness, and disability, Codependency, Commitment issues, Control issues, Dependent personality, Disruptive Mood Dysregulation Disorder (DMDD), Dissociation, Divorce and separation, Domestic violence, Drug and alcohol addiction, Emptiness, Family of origin issues, Family problems, Fatherhood issues, First responder issues, Forgiveness, Hoarding, Impulsivity, Jealousy, Men's issues, Midlife crisis, Veteran and Armed Forces Issues, Money and financial issues, Mood disorders, Narcissism, Obsessions, compulsions, and OCD, Panic disorder and panic attacks, Paranoia, Personality disorders, Phobias, Postpartum depression, Pregnancy and childbirth, Process addiction (porn, exercise, gambling), Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD), Self-harm, Sex addiction, Sexual assault and abuse, Sexual dysfunction, Sexuality, Trichotillomania, Women's issues, Workplace issues, Young adult issues
Clinical approaches: Client-Centered Therapy, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), Emotionally-Focused Therapy (EFT), Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR), Jungian Therapy, Mindfulness Therapy, Motivational Interviewing, Narrative Therapy, Solution-Focused Therapy, Trauma-Focused Therapy
VA LCSW 0904005824
These quotes represent just a few of the many positive reviews that we have received for Melissa Futreal. 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.
Out of the therapists I have had, Melissa is the best one. She is very straightforward and offers many good techniques to help with specific issues. Also, she has lots of experience and it shows, which makes talking with her very productive. I always leave each session feeling like I have a better understanding of my problems and how to face them thanks to Melissa. I highly recommend her!!
Written on Jul 23, 2024 after therapy with Melissa for 3 weeks on issues concerning depression, stress, anxiety, addictions, relationship issues, family conflicts, trauma and abuse, parenting issues, self esteem, career difficulties, coping with life changes, coaching, compassion fatigue, and adhd
Melissa is a wise and experienced therapist who has a lot of tools to share. She has given me many helpful ways to cope with my anxiety and stress, as well as to get to the root of some of the issues. I highly recommend her counsel!
Written on Jun 24, 2024 after therapy with Melissa for 5 months on issues concerning stress, anxiety, relationship issues, family conflicts, parenting issues, and anger management
Melissa is a wonderful listener and facilitates my tapping into my own mind-body connection for healing and growth. I’ve learned a lot about myself in talking with Melissa Futreal! I highly recommend her!!
Written on Mar 16, 2022 after therapy with Melissa for 2 months on issues concerning depression, stress, anxiety, career difficulties, coping with life changes, and adhd