Melissa Sonthonax

Melissa Sonthonax is a Licensed Mental Health Counselor (LMHC) practicing in Florida. She brings ten years of experience helping people manage stress, anxiety, depression, and the everyday challenges that come with life transitions. She focuses on practical steps clients can use to feel more steady and confident.

She uses Client-Centered methods to listen and build a respectful, goal-focused relationship. Melissa also draws on Cognitive Behavioral Therapy to identify thoughts and behaviors that keep people stuck. Mindfulness and Narrative ideas are part of her work when they help clients notice patterns and create new stories about themselves.

Sessions focus on real tasks clients can do between meetings. Melissa works with each person to set clear, doable goals and to practice small behavior changes that build confidence over time. She emphasizes actions that fit a client's daily life and values.

Her background includes a master’s degree in psychology and a decade working in the mental health field. That experience includes helping people with social anxiety, low self-esteem, relationship concerns, addiction-related issues, and feelings of emptiness or isolation.

Clients can expect a collaborative plan tailored to their situation. Melissa aims to create a calm, nonjudgmental space where people can talk through their concerns and take steady steps toward feeling better.

How therapy approaches translate to online work

Client-Centered Therapy emphasizes listening and building a respectful working relationship. In this approach the therapist follows the client's lead, reflects concerns back, and helps people clarify what matters to them. It is useful for building trust and shaping goals that feel meaningful.

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) looks at links between thoughts, feelings, and actions. It uses practical exercises to test unhelpful beliefs and to practice different behaviors. CBT is often chosen for anxiety, panic, low mood, and problems with self-esteem.

Finding the right approach is part of the work. Melissa will talk with each person about their needs, goals, and preferences and then recommend one or more approaches to try. That decision is collaborative and can change as progress is made.

Online therapy can make it easier to fit sessions into a busy life, for example by saving travel time or allowing appointments during a work break. The original biography does not specify which session formats are offered, so confirm the current options before booking. In most cases the focus remains the same online - clear goals, practical exercises, and follow-up tasks to practice between meetings.