My name is Melissa Meuzelaar and I am a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) in the state of Colorado. I hold a Master's Degree in Clinical Counseling from Denver Seminary and I have been practicing as a therapist in Colorado for close to 20 years. Practicing from my location in Carbondale, CO, I am passionate about empowering people to engage fully in their lives - to live bravely into their unique journey, including the wounds, the fears, the insecurities, the obstacles, and the pain. I believe that each person brings to life a unique set of strengths and those strengths can be utilized to work through the obstacles and struggles we face.
I believe that most of our wounds happen in relationship, and thus much of our healing also happens in the context of relationship. I strive to create a safe space for you to better understand and deepen your relationship with yourself and with the people in your life. I work from a trauma-informed perspective, utilizing EMDR therapy (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) when appropriate, while also tailoring my approach to the client. I incorporate a variety of modalities including, but not limited to, EMDR Therapy, Client-Centered Therapy, CBT (Cognitive Behavioral Therapy), Narrative Therapy, and EFT (Emotionally Focused Therapy).
I view the heart, body, mind connection as integral to therapy, knowing that emotional disturbances and trauma are stored in our brain and our body. It's my hope to help you grow stronger in heart, body, and mind, that you may experience healing as a whole person.
If you are experiencing struggle in areas related to body image and disordered eating, relationships, mood disorders (including depression and bipolar disorder), trauma recovery, women's reproductive issues (including infertility, post-partum depression, miscarriages), transition to motherhood and parenting, grief, or life transitions, you've come to the right place.
Does the thought of walking into an unknown office and sitting face-to-face with a stranger feel intimidating to you? It did to me at first too. Or are you a new mom, struggling with juggling a new schedule and experiencing feelings you never expected to feel? Perhaps you want to see a counselor but it feels impossible to schedule around your baby's unpredictable feedings and naps? Or maybe you just want to get outside and move. If any of these scenarios resonate with you, please explore my Walk & Talk Therapy option here, as you might find it to be a great fit for your needs.
To see if I am a good fit for your counseling needs and to schedule your free phone consultation, click here.
I am a real person, walking the journey of life, just like you. I have my own struggles, fears and obstacles and I am I'm committed to learning daily and leaning into those with courage, vulnerability, and humor. I'm married and have three young children. I feel most alive when I am outdoors hiking, skiing, biking, or gardening alongside the people I love. Counseling has been an invaluable tool for me in my own journey as I strive to live a full and joyful life.
Melissa Meuzelaar, MA LPC
Rise & Shine Counseling