Melissa Fernald, LCSW
Maine · 25 years in practice
Melissa Fernald is a licensed clinical social worker with 25 years of experience in mental health and addiction care.
License and registration
- LCSW, Maine
- LC18215 · expires July 2027
- LCSW, New Hampshire
- 5092 · expires September 2026
- NPI
- 1598070591 · national provider identifier
- Years in practice
- 25
- Languages
- English
Details are as listed on the therapist's public professional profile. You can check the license with the issuing state board, and the NPI with the national registry.
About Melissa
Melissa Fernald is a licensed clinical social worker with 25 years of experience in mental health and addiction care. She practices in Maine and focuses on short-term, practical support for everyday struggles. Melissa aims to make sessions down-to-earth and useful from the start.
Her style is calm and nonjudgmental. She uses a strength-based, solution-focused approach to help people build on what already works. Sessions are straightforward and geared toward small, achievable steps that reduce stress and increase clarity.
Background and approach
Melissa draws on several therapeutic approaches to match each person’s needs, including Emotionally-Focused Therapy, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, attachment-based ideas, client-centered techniques, and cognitive behavioral strategies. She blends these methods to address mood, anxiety, trauma, relationship and parenting concerns in a practical way. She often helps people who are feeling stuck, overwhelmed, or unsure about next steps.
Work in sessions can include talking through difficult feelings, improving communication, setting boundaries, and learning coping skills for cravings, impulsivity, or mood shifts. Therapy with Melissa emphasizes honesty, humor, and authenticity. The goal is to leave sessions feeling a little lighter and more capable.
People who value straightforward guidance and practical tools may find her approach a good fit.
Focus areas and approaches
Everything Melissa lists on their public professional profile, in their own terms.
- Stress, Anxiety
- Family conflicts
- Trauma and abuse
- Depression
- ADHD
- Addictions
- Relationship issues
- Intimacy-related issues
- Eating disorders
- Parenting issues
- Anger management
- Self esteem
- Career difficulties
- Bipolar disorder
- Coping with life changes
- Coaching
- Compassion fatigue
- Abandonment
- Blended family issues
- Caregiver issues and stress
- Co-morbidity
- Codependency
- Communication problems
- Control issues
- Divorce and separation
- Domestic violence
- Drug and alcohol addiction
- Family problems
- First responder issues
- Guilt and shame
- Impulsivity
- Life purpose
- Midlife crisis
- Mood disorders
- Obsessions, compulsions, and OCD
- Panic disorder and panic attacks
- Postpartum depression
- Post-traumatic stress
- Pregnancy and childbirth
- Process addiction (porn, exercise, gambling)
- Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD)
- Self-harm
- Sexual assault and abuse
- Smoking / vaping cessation
- Social anxiety and phobia
- Women's issues
- Workplace issues
- Young adult issues
Approaches Melissa names
- Emotionally-Focused Therapy (EFT)
- Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)
- Attachment-Based Therapy
- Client-Centered Therapy
- Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
- Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT)
- Existential Therapy
- Mindfulness Therapy
- Motivational Interviewing
- Narrative Therapy
- Solution-Focused Therapy
- Trauma-Focused Therapy
Naming an approach is not evidence of training in it. This directory copies what each therapist lists and does not check training records.
Online support
How Melissa’s Approaches Work Online
Emotionally-Focused Therapy (EFT) focuses on identifying and reshaping emotional responses in relationships and personal patterns. It helps people understand what their emotions are asking for and practice new ways of connecting or coping.Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) teaches skills to notice thoughts and feelings without getting stuck in them, then act in ways that match personal values. It can help with anxiety, avoidance, and finding direction after big life changes.
Attachment-Based Therapy looks at early relationship patterns and their influence on current behavior and bonds. It helps people see how patterns formed and try new interaction habits that feel safer and more effective.
Choosing the right approach is part of the process. The therapist works collaboratively to figure out which methods fit the client’s goals and daily life. Sessions may blend techniques so the plan matches what’s most helpful in the moment.
Online therapy offers flexibility through video calls, phone sessions, live chat, and text messaging. Video sessions allow face-to-face conversation when discussing emotions and patterns. Phone sessions can be useful when bandwidth is limited or for short check-ins. Live chat and text messaging work well for ongoing support, brief coaching, or when someone prefers writing to speaking. These options make it easier to fit therapy into a busy schedule and maintain continuity between sessions.
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Questions people ask
What concerns does she address?
She helps with stress, anxiety, depression, trauma and abuse, addictions, ADHD, relationship and intimacy issues, parenting, anger, self-esteem, career concerns, bipolar mood challenges, and coping with life changes.
How would you describe her therapy style?
Her style is calm, down-to-earth, and nonjudgmental. She focuses on strengths and practical steps rather than long, abstract therapy.
What is her background and experience?
She has 25 years of experience working in mental health and addiction settings, including hospitals, community programs, and independent practice.
What credentials and region are listed?
She is a licensed clinical social worker (LCSW) licensed in Maine and New Hampshire and practices out of Maine.
Which languages are supported and can she work with international clients?
Sessions are offered in English. She is not currently accepting international clients.
What session formats are available?
She offers video calls, phone sessions, live chat, and text-based messaging to fit different schedules and needs.
How is cost handled for sessions?
Cost varies by location and therapist availability; sessions use a subscription model that can be canceled at any time.
What are the first steps to begin therapy?
Start by selecting the Start Therapy button, complete a short matching questionnaire, and then schedule sessions based on therapist availability.
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