Melissa Madriaga, LPC

Melissa Madriaga is a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) based in Wisconsin. She focuses on helping people who are dealing with stress, anxiety, depression, eating and food-related issues, and life transitions. Melissa brings a direct, down-to-earth style and practical support to sessions.

She served seven years in the United States Army Reserves and has eight years of total counseling experience. Her background includes work with incarcerated and unhoused populations, and she has experience working with LGBTQ people. Melissa completed a master’s degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from Walden University and a bachelor’s degree in psychology from Marian University.

Her approach blends client-centered listening with cognitive behavioral techniques and mindfulness practices. She also uses narrative therapy ideas to help people reframe difficult stories about themselves. Sessions focus on clear tools, small habit changes, and talking through painful events at a pace that feels manageable.

Melissa has worked with a wide set of concerns including addictions, trauma and abuse, parenting strain, relationship and communication problems, anger, and coping with major life changes. She has additional focus areas such as body image, blended family issues, forgiveness, guilt and shame, and veteran and armed forces issues.

Outside of work she is a single mother who enjoys hiking, biking, domestic travel, and exploring Wisconsin. To begin, people follow the site process to match and schedule a session based on the therapist’s availability.

Approaches used in online sessions

Client-centered therapy focuses on listening with curiosity and respect. The therapist follows the person's lead, helping them name concerns and set goals in plain terms. Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) breaks problems into thoughts, feelings, and behaviors and teaches straightforward skills to change unhelpful patterns. Mindfulness therapy adds short exercises to help people notice their thoughts and calm their bodies, which can be useful for anxiety and stress.

Finding the right approach is part of the work. The therapist will collaborate with each person to choose techniques that match their needs, goals, and preferences. Together they will try methods, check what helps, and adjust the plan as progress unfolds.

Confirm current session options before booking so you know what formats are offered. Online therapy can make it easier to fit visits into a busy week, reduce travel time, and allow shorter check-ins when needed. It also lets people continue work while relocating within the same state. The emphasis is on making sessions practical and doable for everyday life rather than on a single fixed method.