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Melissa Fernald

LCSW

Melissa Fernald , LCSW

Therapist in Maine

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Online therapy - get matched and start messaging.

About Melissa

Melissa Fernald is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) based in Maine with 25 years of experience in mental health and addiction. She has worked across hospitals, community programs, and private practice, and brings that breadth of experience to each session. Melissa believes therapy can be focused and empowering rather than long and painful, offering practical support for the challenges people face right now.

Her style is strength-based and solution-focused, helping people build on what already works while learning new skills to move forward. She is known for a calm, down-to-earth presence and a nonjudgmental way of working, and she values honesty, humor, and authenticity in the therapy room. Melissa aims to help individuals and families get unstuck, gain clarity, and make meaningful change.

Sessions with Melissa are intended to be productive and positive so that people leave feeling a little lighter, more capable, and more hopeful. As an LCSW - a licensed clinical social worker - she combines clinical training with practical approaches to support coping, growth, and recovery.

Therapeutic Approaches and Online Support

Melissa integrates several evidence-informed approaches in her online practice to meet different needs. Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) helps people clarify their values and build psychological flexibility so they can take meaningful action even when emotions are difficult - it is often used for anxiety, stress, and life transitions. Attachment-Based Therapy focuses on how early relationships shape current patterns, helping individuals and families repair connection and improve communication for issues like relationship challenges and caregiving stress. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) teaches practical skills to identify and change unhelpful thoughts and behaviors, making it useful for depression, anxiety, and coping with daily challenges.

Finding the right approach is part of the therapeutic process, and Melissa works collaboratively with each person to determine the best fit based on needs, goals, and preferences. She draws on these methods in ways that match what a client wants to achieve.

Online sessions are offered by licensed professionals through video calls, phone appointments, live chat, or text-based messaging, which makes it easier to fit therapy into busy schedules and to access support from home or other locations. That flexibility can help people stay engaged with therapy while balancing work, family, and other responsibilities.

Frequently asked questions

How much experience does Melissa Fernald have?

Melissa Fernald has 25 years of experience working in mental health and addiction across a variety of settings.

Is Melissa Fernald a licensed therapist?

Yes. She is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW). Her licenses are listed as ME LCSW LC18215 and NH LCSW 5092.

In which languages does Melissa Fernald provide therapy?

Melissa Fernald provides therapy in English.

Where is Melissa Fernald located?

Melissa Fernald is located in Maine.

How can I work with Melissa Fernald as my therapist?

You can work with Melissa Fernald through video calls, phone sessions, live chat, or text-based messaging.

Does Melissa Fernald work with international clients?

Melissa Fernald does not currently work with international clients.

How much does therapy with Melissa Fernald cost?

The cost of therapy can vary depending on factors such as your location and the therapist's availability. Sessions are billed through a subscription that can be canceled at any time, for any reason. For current details, click the "Start Therapy" button on this page.

How can I get started with therapy?

Getting started with therapy is quick and straightforward. Click the "Start Therapy" button and complete a short questionnaire that helps match you with your therapist. Depending on availability, you can then schedule your first session, which may take place by phone, video call, live chat, or in-app messaging.

Areas of expertise

Primary focus

Stress, AnxietyFamily conflictsTrauma and abuseDepressionADHD

Also works with

AddictionsRelationship issuesIntimacy-related issuesEating disordersParenting issuesAnger managementSelf esteemCareer difficultiesBipolar disorderCoping with life changesCoachingCompassion fatigue

Additional focus areas

AbandonmentBlended family issuesCaregiver issues and stressCo-morbidityCodependencyCommunication problemsControl issuesDivorce and separationDomestic violenceDrug and alcohol addictionFamily problemsFirst responder issuesGuilt and shameImpulsivityLife purposeMidlife crisisMood disordersObsessions, compulsions, and OCDPanic disorder and panic attacksPostpartum depressionPost-traumatic stressPregnancy and childbirthProcess addiction (porn, exercise, gambling)Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD)Self-harmSexual assault and abuseSmoking / vaping cessationSocial anxiety and phobiaWomen's issuesWorkplace issuesYoung adult issues

Therapeutic approaches

Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)Attachment-Based TherapyClient-Centered TherapyCognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT)Emotionally-Focused Therapy (EFT)Existential TherapyMindfulness TherapyMotivational InterviewingNarrative TherapySolution-Focused TherapyTrauma-Focused Therapy

Experience

25+ years

Licensed

Maine, New Hampshire

Languages

English

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