Melissa Gathright, LCSW-S

Melissa prioritizes building a strong therapeutic relationship with the client to ensure that clients and their families feel comfortable, understood and safe. Melissa believes in using a direct and warm approach, using curiosity to create a non-judgmental space. As a clinician with foundations in social work, Melissa believes the biggest changes happen when family members and caregivers are involved in making changes alongside the client, to improve wellness within the whole family system.

Melissa uses a variety of evidence-based methods to create a personalized approach to therapy that will meet the client’s needs. Melissa has received training and utilizes the following modalities most often: Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP), Parent-Child Interaction Therapy (PCIT), Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT), Mindfulness-Based Self Compassion, Comprehensive Behavioral Intervention for Tics (CBIT) and Motivational Interviewing. Melissa enjoys using unconventional approaches and adapting old ideas to fit a client’s likes and interests.

Melissa earned her Bachelor of Arts in Psychology, with a minor in Political Science from The University of Miami, in Coral Gables, FL. She earned her Master of Social Work degree at Baylor University in Waco, TX. In her graduate studies, Melissa completed internships as a case manager for a private foster care agency and as a counselor at a rural behavioral health clinic.

Following graduate school, Melissa provided services across a range of settings, client ages, and presenting concerns throughout her years of training. The roles and settings in which she has worked include: providing clinical assessment and intervention to persons in the county jail, providing individual, group and family therapy in a residential treatment facility for adolescents in the juvenile probation system, serving as a Guardian ad Litem in the family court system, and as a clinical therapist in a non-profit outpatient mental health clinic providing services for children and families.

Melissa has received training in Motivational Interviewing, crisis intervention (including managing suicidal and self-harm behaviors), Parent-Child Interaction Therapy (PCIT), Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT), Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP) and Comprehensive Behavioral Intervention for Tics (CBIT). Melissa is certified to provide TF-CBT through the National Therapist Certification Program. In 2020, Melissa became a board-approved clinical supervisor for licensed master social workers seeking their clinical license. Melissa has experience working as a field instructor for master’s level social work students.

Melissa is eager to expand her experience at AAOCDS and continue to grow and adapt her clinical skills based on her client’s needs. She is a licensed clinical social worker in the state of Texas (#58136).

In her free time, Melissa enjoys spending time with her family, friends, and her cats. She enjoys playing board games, throwing pottery, traveling and taking care of her assorted succulent and cacti collection. Melissa enjoys practicing mindfulness and yoga. Melissa is passionate about social and racial justice issues and strives to keep up to date on current policy issues that impact our community.

Melissa provides online video therapy sessions and sees clients at our Allandale office. For more information about Melissa’s availability or to schedule an appointment please call 512-246-7225 or visit our client portal.