Thank you for being the neutral, judge free ear I needed to take me out of my depression.
Melissa Ray, LCSW
Experienced mental health professional
Provides online counseling through BetterHelp
At a glance
Melissa is an experienced, licensed Mental Health Professional who specializes in affordable online therapy offered through our partner, BetterHelp.
- 4.7 stars
- Clients are very satisfied with Melissa. View 17 reviews
- Great news, Melissa is accepting new clients!
- She is normally fully-booked.
- Speaks English
- Offers Telehealth visits
- Licensed in Pennsylvania
Recent reviews
Melissa has been very helpful and is a joy to work with
More about Melissa
- 5 years' experience
- Female
- LCSW
Trauma-informed therapist supporting clients through anxiety, depression, stress, and major life changes.
Hello!
Welcome! I’m excited to get to know you. Together, we’ll create a safe space where you can feel understood and supported.
I’m Melissa, a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW), and I’m so glad you’ve found your way here. Reaching out for support is a big step, and my goal is to make sure you feel understood, supported, and encouraged as we work together.
I help people who are navigating challenges such as anxiety, depression, trauma, life transitions, or the stress of balancing many responsibilities. Together, we’ll explore what’s weighing on you, identify practical strategies, and build on your strengths so you can feel more grounded, resilient, and at peace in your daily life.
My style is warm, collaborative, and tailored to you. I draw from evidence-based approaches like Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), and Trauma-Focused CBT. No matter which tools we use, I always work from a trauma-informed, compassionate perspective where you can share openly without judgment.
I earned my Master’s in Social Work from Edinboro University in 2017 and have been a practicing social worker since 2013, with experience in hospitals, schools, community mental health, residential treatment, and child welfare. I also bring personal experience with foster care and adoption, which gives me unique insight into the challenges many individuals and families face.
Most importantly, I believe you don’t have to walk this path alone. I’d be honored to support you as you move toward a life that feels more balanced, fulfilling, and aligned with your values.
Warmly,
Melissa
Specialties
Stress
Anxiety
Family conflicts
Trauma and abuse
Parenting issues
Self esteem
Anger management
Career difficulties
Depression
Coping with life changes
Compassion fatigue
ADHD
Abandonment
Adoption and foster care
Aging and geriatric issues
Antisocial personality
Attachment issues
Autism and Asperger Syndrome
Avoidant personality
Blended family issues
Body image
Cancer
Caregiver issues and stress
Chronic pain, illness, and disability
Co-morbidity
Codependency
Commitment issues
Communication problems
Control issues
Coping with natural or human-caused disaster
Dependent personality
Disruptive Mood Dysregulation Disorder (DMDD)
Dissociation
Divorce and separation
Domestic violence
Drug and alcohol addiction
Eating and food-related issues
Emptiness
Family of origin issues
Family problems
Fertility issues
First responder issues
Forgiveness
Gender dysphoria
Guilt and shame
Hearing impaired
HIV / AIDS
Hoarding
Hospice and end-of-life counseling
Immigration issues
Impulsivity
Infidelity
Intellectual disability
Isolation / loneliness
Jealousy
Life purpose
Veteran and Armed Forces Issues
Money and financial issues
Mood disorders
Multicultural concerns
Narcissism
Obsessions, compulsions, and OCD
Panic disorder and panic attacks
Paranoia
Personality disorders
Phobias
Polyamory / non-monogamous relationships
Postpartum depression
Post-traumatic stress
Pregnancy and childbirth
Prejudice and discrimination
Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD)
Self-harm
Self-love
Sexual assault and abuse
Sexuality
Smoking / vaping cessation
Social anxiety and phobia
Somatization
Traumatic brain injury
Trichotillomania
Visually impaired
Women's issues
Workplace issues
Young adult issues
Treatment Approaches
- Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)
- Attachment-Based Therapy
- Client-Centered Therapy
- Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
- Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT)
- Emotionally-Focused Therapy (EFT)
- Existential Therapy
- Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR)
- Gottman Method
- Hypnotherapy
- Imago Relationship Therapy
- Jungian Therapy
- Mindfulness Therapy
- Motivational Interviewing
- Narrative Therapy
- Psychodynamic Therapy
- Solution-Focused Therapy
- Somatic Therapy
- Trauma-Focused Therapy
- Internal Family Systems
- Systemic Therapy
Licenses
Melissa Ray's National Provider Identifier (NPI) is 1801439781.
- LCSW · Pennsylvania · CW021317 · Expires February 2027
About online counseling
- Affordable.
- Pay a low flat fee.
- Convenient.
- Do it at your own time and at your own pace. Communicate whenever you feel it's needed.
- Available now.
- There is no waiting list and no calls to make. Simply fill out a short questionnaire and send your first message.
Online counseling allows you to receive care from a mental health practitioner via phone, video chat, or instant messaging. It is convenient for those who may have trouble getting to or would prefer not to have in-person therapy appointments. Starting at $65 per week, online counseling is generally more affordable than in-person counseling. A study by researchers at University of California, Berkeley found that online counseling can be just as effective as face-to-face therapy while being more convenient, affordable, and accessible.
Reviews for Melissa Ray
All reviews have been submitted by clients after seeing the provider.
Overall rating:
Thank you for being the neutral, judge free ear I needed to take me out of my depression.
Melissa has been very helpful and is a joy to work with
I am thankful for the resource and having Melissa to partner with my specific needs.
Professional and knowledgeable
I am so thankful I discovered this app
Was very nice and explored my ideas and thinking to help me improve on the way I introduce new things to myself.
I love Melissa's approach to therapy. She asks the right questions and her responses help me feel validated and safe. I appreciate the words of encouragement that she intuitively knows to say even when I didn't realize I needed to hear it myself. I highly recommend Melissa!
My therapist is gentle and displays calm kindness that I need. Therapy with her has been an answer to prayer.
Melissa is a tactful therapist with considerate responses and engagement.
Melissa has been a great help to me. I have been struggling with depression and anxiety from past traumas for most of my life. I've tried counseling and therapy several times over the years, but this is the first time I have stuck with it. Melissa is easy to talk to, respectful, non judgemental, and knowledgeable. She really listens and hears me. Her advice is appropriate and effective. I feel I've made good progress with her and plan to stay with her for a while. I highly recommended Melissa Ray.
Melissa really listened to my needs and helped a lot.
So far my thoughts of Melissa are she’s caring and very supportive.
Enjoy speaking with her when I can. She always listens to what I have to say or my worries.
Don't know quite yet, only one session so far
she’s an excellent communicator and really understanding especially with busy schedules
She’s awesome:))
This therapist looks experienced, but not a good match for me I would like to see who is available
Frequently asked questions
Does Melissa Ray offer telehealth visits?
Yes. Melissa Ray works with clients by exchanging messages, chatting live, speaking over the phone, or video conferencing based on what works for the client at that particular time.
What language(s) does Melissa Ray speak?
Melissa Ray speaks English.
How many years of experience does Melissa Ray have?
Melissa Ray has 5 years of experience.
Where is Melissa Ray licensed to practice?
Melissa Ray is licensed to practice in Pennsylvania.
Does Melissa Ray accept clients outside of the United States?
Yes, Melissa Ray accepts clients outside of the United States.
Is online therapy as effective as in-person therapy?
Numerous studies support the effectiveness of online platforms in facilitating life changes. For instance, research published by JMIR Publications, conducted by teams from the University of Berkeley, UCSF, and SF General Hospital, found that "users of BetterHelp experienced significantly reduced depression symptom severity after engaging with the platform."
What treatment approaches does Melissa Ray offer?
Melissa Ray offers clients Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Attachment-Based Therapy, Client-Centered Therapy, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), Emotionally-Focused Therapy (EFT), Existential Therapy, Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR), Gottman Method, Hypnotherapy, Imago Relationship Therapy, Jungian Therapy, Mindfulness Therapy, Motivational Interviewing, Narrative Therapy, Psychodynamic Therapy, Solution-Focused Therapy, Somatic Therapy, Trauma-Focused Therapy, Internal Family Systems, and Systemic Therapy.
How can I communicate with Melissa Ray?
Melissa Ray can be engaged in any one of four ways: (1) Exchanging messages, (2) chatting live, (3) speaking over the phone, or (4) video conferencing. You can use different ways at different times as you wish, based on your needs, availability, and convenience.
How do I get started with Melissa Ray?
Just tap the CHAT NOW button or tap here: A new window will open and you'll be directed to a simple form that will help start the conversation. Please note: It can take up to a few days to be matched to a therapist.
Mental health conditions are real, common, and treatable.
And recovery is possible.
When you tap CHAT NOW a new window will open and you'll be directed to a simple form that will help start the conversation. Please note: It can take up to a few days to be matched to a therapist.