Melissa has been magnetically pulled towards the field of mental health and substance use for as long as she can remember. She earned her Master of Social Work (MSW) and certificate in field placement supervision from the Simmons School of Social Work in Boston. Following that, she embarked on a long journey as a psychotherapist, practicing individual, family and group psychotherapy. She has worked in dual diagnosis outpatient, residential, inpatient, harm reduction, and day treatment settings in Boston, San Francisco and New York City, as well as supervising MSW students during their field placements.

Once in New York City, Melissa spent 10 years working on Columbia University Medical Center’s psychiatric inpatient unit, and for 7 years, ran psychotherapy groups, dialectical behavioral therapy (DBT), and substance misuse groups at the Columbia Day Program, an intensive outpatient dual-diagnosis treatment program.  She established her private psychotherapy practice in 2004 and is excited about her ongoing work with individuals and couples in this setting.