Melinda received her master's degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from the University of North Texas. During her graduate program, she had the opportunity to work with a diverse clientele on a variety of issues that included trauma, depression, anxiety, addiction and grief. She completed her counseling internships in Dallas at The Family Place, the largest family violence service provider in Texas, and Nexus Recovery Center, a non-profit offering intensive, trauma-responsive services to women facing drug and alcohol addiction.

Melinda provides individual therapy to adolescents, adults and couples. She draws from various counseling theories, but her primary approach is to encourage her clients to recognize their value by focusing on their strengths, heal by building resilience from past trauma and understand the importance of relationships that enrich their lives. Melinda recognizes the importance of the client-counselor relationship and knows therapy is most effective when each individual is comfortable once a foundation of trust is established. She tailors each session to meet the unique needs and goals of every individual with empathy, warmth and optimism.

Melinda and her husband have two college-aged sons. In her free time, she loves to play tennis, travel, read, watch any sporting event and spend quality time with her family and friends.

Instagram: @melindabarefootcounseling