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- Stress and anxiety
- Addictions support
- Trauma-informed methods
About Melissa
Melissa Geiger-Dugandzic is an Ohio Licensed Independent Social Worker (LISW) with eight years of professional experience. She focuses on stress, anxiety, addictions, trauma and abuse, self-esteem, depression, and related mood concerns. She also works with issues linked to first responders and veterans, and with adults facing gambling and substance challenges.
Her approach centers on talking through problems and developing practical coping skills. She uses client-centered methods that prioritize the person's perspective. She also applies Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and Dialectical Behavior Therapy tools to address thought patterns and emotion regulation.
Melissa incorporates Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing when trauma memories are part of the distress. She uses mindfulness practices to help people notice and manage their reactions. Motivational Interviewing techniques are used when changes in behavior are the goal.
Sessions are straightforward and focused on problems the person brings to the room. She helps people set short-term goals and practice skills between sessions. The work often involves learning new ways to respond to triggers and testing those strategies in everyday life.
Her background includes several years supporting people with addiction, trauma, and mood-related difficulties. She draws on varied methods to match what each person needs and to make therapy practical. People who prefer clear skills, concrete plans, and collaborative problem solving may find this style fits their needs.
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How her approaches translate to remote sessions
Client-Centered Therapy focuses on the person's concerns and perspectives. In practice this means sessions start with what matters most to the person and move at their pace. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy looks at thoughts, feelings, and behaviors and uses practical exercises to change unhelpful patterns. This approach helps with anxiety, mood problems, and behavior change.She also uses Dialectical Behavior Therapy skills for emotion regulation and distress tolerance. DBT tools teach grounding techniques and step-by-step ways to respond to intense feelings. In remote sessions these skills can be taught, practiced, and reviewed between meetings to support everyday use.
The therapist will work collaboratively to decide which methods fit best for the person's goals. That decision is revisited as work progresses so the approach can be adjusted. Clients and the therapist set goals together and choose the techniques that make sense for day-to-day life.
The original biography does not list which session formats are offered. Before booking, confirm the current session options. Remote work can make it easier to fit therapy into a busy schedule, shorten travel time, and allow for brief check-ins when a full session isn't possible. Licensed professionals can also use exercises and homework between meetings to reinforce progress.
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Areas of expertise
Additional focus areas
Therapeutic approaches
Experience
8+ years
Listed in
Ohio
Languages
English
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Frequently asked questions
What concerns does she address?
She works with stress, anxiety, addictions, trauma and abuse, self-esteem, depression, bipolar concerns, grief, anger, and related issues such as codependency and dissociation.
What therapeutic approaches does she use?
She practices client-centered therapy and integrates Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and Dialectical Behavior Therapy, along with EMDR, mindfulness, and Motivational Interviewing as needed.
How much clinical experience does she have?
She has eight years of professional experience working in clinical settings with people facing addiction, trauma, and mood-related difficulties.
What credentials and location are listed?
She is an Ohio LISW and practices in Ohio.
Which languages are supported and are international clients accepted?
Sessions are offered in English. International clients are not currently accepted.
What session formats are available?
The original biography does not specify session formats. Please confirm current session options before booking.
How does billing and cost work?
Cost varies with location and sessions use a subscription model that can be canceled at any time.
How do I begin working with her?
Select the See online therapy options button, complete a short matching questionnaire, and schedule a first session.
Online talk therapy is not emergency care. If you are in danger, use the urgent help numbers.