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Melissa Pesce, LCSW

Experienced mental health professional

Provides online counseling through BetterHelp

At a glance

Melissa is an experienced, licensed Mental Health Professional who specializes in affordable online therapy offered through our partner, BetterHelp.

4.5 stars
Clients are very satisfied with Melissa. View 55 reviews
Great news, Melissa is accepting new clients!
She is normally fully-booked.
Speaks English
Offers Telehealth visits
Licensed in Florida

Recent reviews

Melissa has been such an amazing therapist and support since I began seeing her in the fall of 2023. She has provided such a safe, warm, and engaging space to be able to be vulnerable and work on myself.

Reviewed June 2024

Melissa Pesce has honestly been a balm in my life. I truly was lost, scared, and confused in general about life. I had a horrible experience with a previous therapist (not from BetterHelp) and honestly it truly scarred me from trusting any other therapists... or get any help for that matter. Melissa is patient, kind, funny, and lets you know what's up when needed. To be honest, I can't view how my life would be right now without wanting and getting the help I needed...and Melissa was truly the person who gave me the comfort of knowing everything will and is going to be okay.

Reviewed January 2024

More about Melissa

  • 10 years' experience
  • Female
  • LCSW

Hi and thank you for having the courage to take this first step.

Life is a journey. Through my passion to empower you, I will help move you on a path forward in life. I will guide you through discovering your strengths and self-awareness to bring you clarity and direction. I am open-minded and create an environment that promotes healing and transformation.

I was born and raised in upstate New York. Completed my bachelors in exercise science from Ithaca College and a masters in social work from University of South Florida. I am a licensed clinical social worker, LCSW, in the state of Florida. I have over 8 years clinical experience and also the owner of a private practice.

I specialize in trauma, sex therapy, polyamory, kink, LGBTQIA+, relationships, couples, My integrative therapeutic approach utilizes trauma focused, cognitive behavior, and mindfulness techniques. These approaches are briefly described as: trauma informed care (TIC) is about safety, transparency, trustworthiness, voice, choice, and empowerment; cognitive behavior therapy (CBT) is about the connection of our thoughts, feelings and behaviors and how they affect our daily lives; mindfulness based (MBCT) is being accepted and aware of yourself. Other types of evidenced based techniques I incorporate are strength based, solution focused, family systems, holistic, client centered and culturally sensitive.

My office hours are Monday - Wednesday 9am - 3pm; Thursday - by appointment only. Live sessions are offered via phone or video.

I look forward to helping you grow and move you forward into the next chapter in your life. Let’s get started!

Specialties

LGBT Relationship issues Intimacy-related issues Self esteem Stress Anxiety Trauma and abuse Grief Sleeping disorders Depression BDSM, kink, and alternative sex culture Communication problems Infidelity Men's issues Polyamory / non-monogamous relationships Post-traumatic stress Self-love Sexual assault and abuse Sexual dysfunction Sexuality Women's issues

Treatment Approaches

  • Client-Centered Therapy
  • Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
  • Existential Therapy
  • Gottman Method
  • Mindfulness Therapy
  • Motivational Interviewing
  • Solution-Focused Therapy
  • Trauma-Focused Therapy

Licenses

Melissa Pesce's National Provider Identifier (NPI) is 1760811012.

  • LCSW · Florida · SW15618 · Expires March 2025

About online counseling

Affordable.
Pay a low flat fee.
Convenient.
Do it at your own time and at your own pace. Communicate whenever you feel it's needed.
Available now.
There is no waiting list and no calls to make. Simply fill out a short questionnaire and send your first message.

Online counseling allows you to receive care from a mental health practitioner via phone, video chat, or instant messaging. It is convenient for those who may have trouble getting to or would prefer not to have in-person therapy appointments. Starting at $65 per week, online counseling is generally more affordable than in-person counseling. A study by researchers at University of California, Berkeley found that online counseling can be just as effective as face-to-face therapy while being more convenient, affordable, and accessible.

Reviews for Melissa Pesce

All reviews have been submitted by clients after seeing the provider.

Overall rating:

4.5

55 reviews

5
4
3
2
1

Clients mention: Great Helped Amazing Grateful Listens Recommend Comfortable Easy Helpful Support

Melissa has been such an amazing therapist and support since I began seeing her in the fall of 2023. She has provided such a safe, warm, and engaging space to be able to be vulnerable and work on myself.

Reviewed June 2024

Melissa Pesce has honestly been a balm in my life. I truly was lost, scared, and confused in general about life. I had a horrible experience with a previous therapist (not from BetterHelp) and honestly it truly scarred me from trusting any other therapists... or get any help for that matter. Melissa is patient, kind, funny, and lets you know what's up when needed. To be honest, I can't view how my life would be right now without wanting and getting the help I needed...and Melissa was truly the person who gave me the comfort of knowing everything will and is going to be okay.

Reviewed January 2024

I am able to talk with Melissa about anything. From polyamory to kink and childhood trauma to current patterns. I appreciate the space she holds and the healthy pushing outside my comfort zone!

Reviewed January 2022

I’m incredibly grateful to have found Melissa through Pride Counseling, she’s helped me so much.

Reviewed November 2020

Melissa is so good at making me feel heard and seen! She really pays attention and "gets it". She also has an awesome way of giving me the gentle "push" that I sometimes need. I give her my highest recommendation!

Reviewed April 2020

Melissa has been a gentle and insightful counselor since day one. I’ve come a long way toward reaching my goals with her support and guidance.

Reviewed December 2019

Melissa is great. She's gentle, and very respectful. I feel extremely comfortable speaking with her. I have great confidence in her advise, and I greatly value her input.

Reviewed May 2019

Melissa is always responsive, caring and reaches out if she has not heard from me.

Reviewed May 2023

Melissa is a kind soul and very thoughtful. I highly recommend her to anyone looking for guidance

Reviewed May 2023

Melissa is the absolute best when it comes to supporting me and helping me get through life. She has been my therapist for about 2 years and I appreciate everything she has done while I am on my journey of growth and healing.

Reviewed February 2023

Melissa is an excellent therapist that listens really well and provides helpful feedback and techniques. She’s responsive and professional and made me feel very comfortable opening up and looking at myself. I feel I am more equipped in my personal life and a better communicator. Thank you so much!

Reviewed December 2022

I have been in and out of therapy for many years. Melissa is the only therapist that I have come back to. She is always extremely flexible with scheduling and really focuses on changing the perspective rather than allowing me to complain about everything. Definitely recommend if you’re ready to stop loathing and start changing

Reviewed December 2022

Always friendly, helpful and flexible. She gives me the right tools to get through my anxiety

Reviewed November 2022

Love Melissa. She's real and down to earth and I much appreciate that. She listens and provides real world feedback/advice.

Reviewed September 2022

Melissa is a talented therapist who has helped me to manage issues around sex and intimacy as I age. Her talent combined with the easy to use betterhelp system is a powerful combination.

Reviewed July 2022

Melissa got me through some difficult times. She also had opened me to slow down my thoughts before I speak. I will forever be indebted to her.

Reviewed June 2022

Melissa has been like a breath of fresh air. She’s like a girl friend you like talking with. I look forward to her calls. She shows me there are other ways I can look at things, that better my thoughts.

Reviewed March 2022

She makes it easy to talk to and open up about the things that are bugging me and dig deeper for something I didn’t know was there. Great tactics to get my head space right and bring my focus back.

Reviewed March 2022

This was my first experience with solo therapy and I am extremely grateful having Melissa as my therapist. She is giving me the tools to reach my personal goals and empowering me thru each session. Thank you Melissa

Reviewed December 2021

Melissa is the best. She has helped me tremendously and I appreciate how serious she takes her work.

Reviewed December 2021

She is always responsive, and gives me ways to refocus my thoughts

Reviewed November 2021

Melissa helped me find myself. She helped me find the person I need to be rather than a person I thought I should be. I am very grateful for her!

Reviewed November 2021

I came into therapy because someone wanted me to, I didn’t think it was going to work. Melissa was fantastic, she’s not afraid to call out your bullshit and empower you from the call out. If you’re NOT wanting someone who just sits there listening, come to Melissa, she’s awesome.

Reviewed September 2021

Melissa is such a comforting person that is able to help you feel heard and find your voice.

Reviewed August 2021

She is amazing!

Reviewed June 2021

Melissa was my counselor with Regain and I kept her for individual therapy through BetterHelp because she is phenomenal. She really listens and engaged with me and is always giving me useful tools to assist me through my anxiety and other situations. Thanks, Melissa!

Reviewed May 2021

Melissa has been for me every step of the way for what it coming close to a year now. I can't thank them enough for how accommodating they have been for me and how much they understand my condition! I never feel pressured to do anything that would make me uncomfortable and she never hassles me about forgetting things. I feel Melissa genuinely loves their job and cares for the people they work with. I am still working on finding ways to tackle my deep rooted issues, but even just working with surface level stuff has made me a better me. Thank you!

Reviewed May 2021

I’ve had Melissa as long as I’ve been using BetterHelp. She’s great! Real easy to talk to.

Reviewed April 2021

Working with Melissa, has been an eye opener of my personality. I am enjoying every session we have, I have learned a lot . Thank you Melissa

Reviewed April 2021

Melissa is a very kind and warm therapist. She is highly skilled and effective in her work. She is also authentic and easy to connect to. I highly recommend her!

Reviewed March 2021

One of the most compassionate therapists I’ve had the pleasure of working with

Reviewed January 2021

She is kind and honest about changes for my mental health and I know that’s her primary concern. She makes me feel comfortable to be open and honest and she is always neutral.

Reviewed November 2020

My sessions with Melissa have been amazing. I don't know how I could have gotten through 2020 without her help.

Reviewed November 2020

Melissa has been an amazing support to me. She is a wonderful listener and she also asks great questions that really get me thinking. She has helped me to basically redirect my life so that I am on a more positive path. I am very grateful for her services!

Reviewed November 2020

She listens well and has great ideas to help move forward

Reviewed August 2020

I’ve only been messaging with Melissa for a short while, but I can already feel the difference of having her. It feels like I have someone I can open up to at anytime, on my fingertips. It helps keep my anxiety in control, knowing that whatever the day brings, I can message Melissa.

Reviewed July 2020

I really appreciate Melissa giving me insight and the confidence I needed to have to deal with my life

Reviewed July 2020

Melissa has been an absolute amazing counselor to me. I went through a very difficult breakup 2 months ago (During this current Pandemic) and she really helped me find inner strength and peace. She challenged me to find what it is that I am looking for, and to always be kind to myself. I highly recommend Melissa if you are going through a very difficult breakup.

Reviewed June 2020

I've made considerable progress in life thanks to Melissa's knowledge and expertise. I look and back on life before working with her and it's hard to imagine I could have kept going that way. She is an attentive, intuitive, well educated, and skilled counselor. She has been life changing.

Reviewed June 2020

She is extremely understanding and supportive!

Reviewed May 2020

Melissa is amazing! She really makes me feel heard. She can get to the heart of the matter very quickly and asks thought-provoking questions that make me consider things that I hadn't even thought of. Her profile really stood out to me when I was looking for a counselor and I'm SO glad I found her.

Reviewed May 2020

Melissa is AMAZING! She has helped me process so much in such a short amount of time. And during these unprecedented times, I have found email to be the best way to communicate, and she replies quickly and with great insight! I am very grateful to have found her, and Betterhelp.

Reviewed April 2020

Melissa is a knowledgeable and caring therapist that has given me guidance to become a better person. Therapy with her has been a great and healing experience since day one. I can't imagine seeing another therapist because therapy has been so effective. I am truly grateful for her knowledge and expertise.

Reviewed January 2020

I love Melissa. She understands me and is supporting me through this hard time.

Reviewed January 2020

Melissa is great and I highly recommend her.

Reviewed January 2020

My first session with Melissa was incredibly helpful to me. I am already learning quite a bit and I feel more self aware. Melissa is a very good listener...and I am a wordy person so I’m grateful for her. She has been a clear communicator and has offered flexibility with scheduling. I would recommend Melissa to anyone searching for a great counselor! I have messaged her quite a bit and have had only my first phone session, but I am absolutely looking forward to continuing with her.

Reviewed December 2019

Melissa has reminded of the importance of being gentle with myself. She is also great about letting me be myself and helping me to have room to grow instead of trying to make me conform to her moral agenda.

Reviewed November 2019

Melissa is the person I have been searching for all these years. I've gone through SO many trauma groups, doctors, therapists, social workers, volunteer support counselors and she is just the perfect fit. Melissa listens, she understands and validates my feelings. When I need her, she's there and genuinely cares. We need more people like her to fix the mental health system. Life saving. Truly.

Reviewed November 2019

Melissa is great. She gives great advice and listens.

Reviewed November 2019

Melissa and I have connected very well and she goes above and beyond to assure that my concerns addressed.

Reviewed September 2019

Melissa has been awesome! Going through the loss of my spouse to just being sad he’s not here to share in joyful things happening.

Reviewed September 2019

Love Melissa.I miss her on weeks we don't talk. She's just wonderful and has helped me tremendously.

Reviewed August 2019

She is very helpful and immediately picked up the style of therapy that worked for me. I never feel like I have to sugarcoat my feelings or feel like I have no one to speak to when I am down.

Reviewed June 2019

Melissa has honestly been helping me realize a lot of things and has helped me feel comfortable. She knows how to listen yet talk to me and help me.

Reviewed June 2019

Melissa is a wonderful caring counselor who helps in several different ways and will work with you so that you are able to speak to her or video with her whichever method you prefer.

Reviewed May 2019

How was your experience with Melissa?

Frequently asked questions

Does Melissa Pesce offer telehealth visits?

Yes. Melissa Pesce works with clients by exchanging messages, chatting live, speaking over the phone, or video conferencing based on what works for the client at that particular time.

What language(s) does Melissa Pesce speak?

Melissa Pesce speaks English.

How many years of experience does Melissa Pesce have?

Melissa Pesce has 10 years of experience.

Where is Melissa Pesce licensed to practice?

Melissa Pesce is licensed to practice in Florida.

Does Melissa Pesce accept clients outside of the United States?

No, Melissa Pesce does not accept clients outside of the United States.

Is online therapy as effective as in-person therapy?

Numerous studies support the effectiveness of online platforms in facilitating life changes. For instance, research published by JMIR Publications, conducted by teams from the University of Berkeley, UCSF, and SF General Hospital, found that "users of BetterHelp experienced significantly reduced depression symptom severity after engaging with the platform."

What treatment approaches does Melissa Pesce offer?

Melissa Pesce offers clients Client-Centered Therapy, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Existential Therapy, Gottman Method, Mindfulness Therapy, Motivational Interviewing, Solution-Focused Therapy, and Trauma-Focused Therapy.

How can I communicate with Melissa Pesce?

Melissa Pesce can be engaged in any one of four ways: (1) Exchanging messages, (2) chatting live, (3) speaking over the phone, or (4) video conferencing. You can use different ways at different times as you wish, based on your needs, availability, and convenience.

How do I get started with Melissa Pesce?

Just tap the CHAT NOW button or tap here: A new window will open and you'll be directed to a simple form that will help start the conversation. Please note: It can take up to a few days to be matched to a therapist.

Mental health conditions are real, common, and treatable.

And recovery is possible.

Messaging
Live Chat
Phone
Video

When you tap CHAT NOW a new window will open and you'll be directed to a simple form that will help start the conversation. Please note: It can take up to a few days to be matched to a therapist.