Areas of Professional Interest
Melisa believes in the resiliency of the human spirit and knows that people are able to overcome trauma and adversity to find hope, joy, love, and live their best life. She values the objectivity of searching for answers, solving problems, and engaging clients as they find resolution to life’s challenges.
Experience
Through her work at Noonday, Melisa provides evidence-based psychotherapy counseling services to children, adolescents and adults with compassion, humor, and great hope. Prior to joining Noonday, Melisa served students and their families in Alabama, Virginia and Colorado as a school counselor. Her experience included crisis intervention, individual/small group counseling, consultation with families, mental health referrals, & collaboration with local agencies.
Melisa served in the United State Air Force from 1984 to 1990 and in the United States Air Force Reserve from 1990 to 2015.
Education
Melisa holds a master’s degree in health and human services (community mental health program) from The University of Colorado in Colorado Springs and an education specialist degree in school counseling from Jacksonville State University. She also earned a master’s in elementary education from Troy State University of Montgomery and a bachelor’s degree in early childhood and elementary education from Auburn University of Montgomery.
Melisa holds special certifications in eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR) and as a trauma-informed specialist. She is a National Certified Counselor (NCC), a board certification recognition for highly trained and experienced professional counselors.
Personal
Melisa and her family have been on many amazing travel adventures throughout the years as her husband served in the United States Marine Corps and she served as a Reservist in the Air Force. They retired to Southside, Ala. several years ago to enjoy the beautifully quiet lake life. Melisa and her husband have one son who is attending the local high school. They love being outdoors, the area’s warm weather and the people in their community.
