Melissa Maxwell, LCSW

Approach

My approach to therapy is strongly influenced by the belief that we all possess the innate capacity for connection, emotional healing, and personal growth. In the context of an attuned and trusting therapeutic relationship, there is the opportunity for great transformation. Throughout our work together, I will endeavor to create an environment of safety and connection that frees you to develop a non-judgmental curiosity about your emotional experiences and to better understand the messages your feelings are communicating to you. My counseling style is interactive, collaborative, and gently challenging. I consider it a privilege to work with clients who invite me to support them in expanding into their most authentic, confident selves.

Bio

Melissa Maxwell is a licensed clinical social worker who works with adolescents, adults, and couples. She has a Master of Social Work degree from NYU School of Social Work and currently holds her clinical licensure in both North Carolina and New York.

Integrative Therapy Grounded in Experience

Melissa has extensive postgraduate training in relational psychodynamic therapy as well as experiential therapies, including AEDP (Level 3), ISTDP, Focusing, and Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR). She has completed multiple core trainings in AEDP and currently participates in weekly supervision with an expert in AEDP/ISTDP. She also incorporates mindfulness skills and body-oriented awareness in her psychotherapy practice.

Psychodynamic & Experiential Healing

Melissa has successfully worked with clients addressing anxiety, depression, ADHD, trauma and abuse, eating and body image concerns, relationships and sexuality, identity exploration, chronic illness, grief and loss, work-life balance, and transitioning to parenthood. Melissa has a special expertise in working with clients dealing with high-risk pregnancies, miscarriages, and fertility-related issues.

Compassionate Therapy Rooted in Expertise

Before establishing Resilience & Change Counseling in Durham, Melissa worked in private practice in New York City. She also served for several years as the Clinical Manager of NYU’s Counseling and Wellness Services, where she coordinated and provided clinical services to undergraduate and graduate students throughout NYU’s global community. During her tenure, she co-founded the Mindfulness Initiative, whose mission included integrating the instruction and practice of mindfulness into the services provided by Counseling and Student Health Services while promoting compassion, well-being, and academic success. She also developed and implemented a biofeedback program for clinical use, in addition to outreach initiatives designed to engage populations that traditionally underutilize mental health services.

Mindfulness-Based Psychotherapy

Melissa served as adjunct faculty at NYU’s Steinhardt School of Culture, Education, and Human Development in the Department of Applied Psychology, where she co-taught a course on College Mental Health. She has presented extensively on topics including Assessing Suicidal Risk, Suicide Prevention in the College Population, Crisis Intervention, College Mental Health, Mindfulness, Stress Management, and working with Survivors of Sexual Assault. She has also served on a task force to address sexual assault in the college-age population for the Manhattan District Attorney’s Office.

Therapy with Depth, Skill & Heart

Melissa is immersed in the joys and challenges of parenting her young children. She is a practitioner of yoga and meditation, as well as being an accomplished metalsmith. She enjoys bringing her sense of curiosity and creativity to her work as a therapist.