Business Owner and Psychotherapist

My name is Melissa Ferra Allen, LCSW. I hold a graduate degree from Columbia University's School of Social Work. Since beginning my work as a therapist, I have had the privledge of working with children, adolescents, and adults with a wide range of cognitive, behavioral, and emotional disorders. I have a special passion for working with individuals experincing anxiety, depression, stress, or difficulties with self esteem. I have experience working therapeutically with the LGBTQ community. My goal is to work collaboratively with you through the difficulties you may be facing, and together we can uncover long-standing behavioral and thought patterns that may be holding you back. We will work on new ways to cope, and help you move forward to an exciting and fulfilling life.

I truly value and appreciate the time we will be spending together, and I am excited about the opportunity to work with you to reach your goals.

Psychotherapist

I am a licensed Professional Counselor and have worked in the mental health field for over 10 years. I obtained my Bachelor of Art degree in Psychology, as well and my Master in Science degree in Counseling Psychology, from Loyola University of Maryland.

My experience includes working with children, adolescents, adults, and families in various settings. These settings include inpatient, outpatient, and in the home environment. I have had the opportunity to help individuals and their families with an array of areas including, but not limited to, depression, anxiety, trauma, behavioral issues, grief and loss, interpersonal issues, parental and family issues, and substance abuse. I adapt my therapeutic style for the benefit of the individual’s and family’s needs. I often utilize Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Positive Therapy, the Nurtured Heart Approach, and Solution-Focused Therapy. I have experience working therapeutically with the LGBTQ community.

I truly believe that therapy is an exceptional tool to facilitate individuals working toward positive growth. I enjoy helping guide individuals to discover their strengths that can allow them to increase their self-awareness, insight, and self-confidence. By improving these aspects of the self, I believe that people learn to trust in themselves and see their full potential.

My Training and Background

• Licensed Professional Counselor, LPC, in New Jersey.
• Loyola University of Maryland Masters Degree in Counseling Psychology with a specialty in Marriage and Family Therapy.
• Psychological Associates of North Jersey
  • Conducting Individual and Family Therapy with children, adolescents and adults struggling with anxiety, depression, trauma, behavioral issues, grief and loss, interpersonal issues, parental and family issues, disordered eating behaviors and substance use.
• Sherry Blair Institute
  • Conducting Individual and Family Therapy in the in-home/community setting using various techniques including the Nurtured Heart Approach.
• Powell Recovery Center
  • Conducting assessments, evaluations, individual therapy, guidance and support, as well as referrals for individuals struggling with substance abuse disorders.
• EPOCH Counseling Center
  • Conducting individual and group therapy sessions for individuals struggling with substance abuse disorders.
• Sheppard Pratt Health System
  • Planning and evaluating clients at a child and adolescent neuropsychiatric unit.

Psychotherapist

Where to begin? Sometimes it's hard to know.

Do you feel overwhelmed by your day to day responsibility's or unexpected events? Are you confused about your path in life, feeling unheard or misunderstood, full or self-doubt? Are you experiencing heartache, the stress of caregiving, or a chronic illness? Maybe youre feeling stuck, or about to embark on a big life transition? Are you anxious or sad for what sometimes feels like for no reason?

Whatever questions you have about life and where you are heading, therapy can provide a needed pause to determine the steps to make life feel more mannageable and ultimately more fulfilling.

I am a Licensed Clinicial Social Worker and offer a safe space for individuals and couples to process and cope with current, and past, situations. We'll work together to create your goals for therapy. I'll assist you in identifying or rediscovering your strengths and in gaining insight into thinking or behavioral patterns that are getting in your way. Using CBT, DBT, mindfullness, and positive psychology, I help clients learn coping, relaxation, communication, and problem solving skills to better manage life's challenges and make realtionships--especially with yourself--more meaningful.

My Training and Background

• Licensed Clinical Social Worker, LCSW, in New Jersey.
• University of Wisconsin - Madison: Masters Degree in Clinical Social Work
• Jewish Family & Children Services
  • Conducting Individual, Couple and Family Therapy with children, adolescents and adults struggling with anxiety, depression, trauma, behavioral issues, grief and loss, interpersonal issues, parental and family issues.
• The Koch Center
  • Conducting initial assessments, individual DBT skills counseling and individual psychotherapy.
  • Led DBT skills group
  • Created a DBT curriculum
• Jefferson Co. Human Resources Community Support Program
  • Conducting assessments, strength based case management, symptom and medication management, crisis intervention.
  • Utilized theraputic techniques including CBT, DBT, and Coping Cat. 
• Briarpatch Youth Services
  • Crisis related psychotherapy sessions. Solution focused.
  • Conducted supportive therapy, stress relief, and resource support for individuals and families.
• Community Services Associates
  • Conducted supportive therapy, medication  management, skills training, stress relief, vocational interventions and resource support for individuals and families.
• Middleton Memorial Veterans Hospital
  • Conducting supportive therapy for Veterans.
• Waukesha County Outpatient Mental Health Center
  • Conducted assessments, in home therapy, and support for individuals and their families.

Psychotherapist

I am a Licensed Clinical Social Worker and hold a graduate degree from Boston College Graduate School of Social Work.
My experience includes working with children, adolescents, young adults, and families with a wide range of strengths and emotional/behavioral challenges such as those experiencing depression, anxiety, life changes, grief, trauma-related stress, behavioral issues, school-related problems, and family related stress. I have experience working therapeutically with the LGBTQ community.

I’m passionate about creating and maintaining a safe, non-judgmental space for clients to explore experiences, as well as empower clients to discover inner strength and resilience. By using a variety of therapeutic techniques based on individual needs, I work collaboratively with clients to help them reach their goals. With empathy, warmth, and humor I utilize a wide range of strengths-based therapeutic techniques including, but not limited to, solution-focused therapy, cognitive behavioral therapy, nurtured-heart approach, and mindfulness.

I’m grateful for the opportunity to support you in your journey towards mental and emotional wellness.

My Training and Background

• Licensed Social Worker, LSW, in New Jersey.
• Masters Degree from Boston College Graduate School of Social Work with a concentration in children, youth, and families.
• Certified Yoga and Mindfulness Instructor through Little Flower Yoga.
• Jersey City Medical Center, Child/Adolescent Partial Hospitalization Program.
  • Conducting Individual, Group, and Family Therapy sessions with clients experiencing depression, anxiety, trauma, and other behavioral/emotional disorders.
• Consulting School Social Worker, Faye G. Hill Community Consultants
  • Provided individual counseling and crisis intervention services to 9th graders in
    public school setting
• Yoga and Mindfulness Teacher, Little Flower Yoga- School Yoga Project
  • Taught yoga and mindfulness skills to children and teens ages 5-18 years old in home, studio, and school settings.

• Youth Villages Residential Treatment Program, Arlington, MA
  • Individual, group, and family therapy with clients experiencing severe trauma,
    depression, anxiety, and other behavioral/emotional disorders.

• Dearborn Academy STEP Program Arlington, MA
  • Implemented stabilization and intensive assessment and intervention for elementary, middle and high school students who had been temporarily excluded from their education placement. Provided individual counseling, group counseling, and case management services.

• Cameron Middle School, Framingham, MA
  • Provided weekly individual and group counseling to students.