About Melissa
Melissa Guarnaccia is a licensed social worker who uses practical, evidence-based approaches to help people feel steadier in their day-to-day lives. She blends clear, action-oriented work with a calm and nonjudgmental presence. Melissa holds the LISW-CP and LCSW credentials and has eleven years of clinical experience in different settings.
Her practice focuses on common concerns like anxiety, depression, stress, and relationship strain. She also helps people dealing with grief, trauma and abuse, issues around intimacy, eating concerns, anger, career questions, and bipolar-related challenges.
Background and approach
Melissa supports parents navigating family conflict and parenting stress. In sessions she draws on Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy to help people notice what matters and take small, practical steps toward it. Conversations are straightforward and goal-focused, with concrete strategies to try between sessions.
Her background includes work in hospitals, schools, and independent practice. Melissa earned a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and a Master of Social Work from the University of North Carolina at Charlotte. She lives in North Carolina with her family and enjoys outdoor activities and travel.
People choose her when they want a therapist who balances warmth with clear direction. She aims to make therapy useful and manageable for busy lives.
Online therapy with ACT and CBT techniques
Melissa uses Acceptance and Commitment Therapy to help people get clearer on their values and take small, meaningful actions even when emotions are hard to sit with. ACT can be useful for anxiety, worry, and trouble making decisions about what matters.She also uses Cognitive Behavioral Therapy to help people spot unhelpful thoughts and test new behaviors. CBT often helps with low mood, anxiety, and patterns that keep problems going by offering practical exercises and homework.
Finding the right approach is part of the work together. The therapist will discuss goals, preferences, and practical needs, then try strategies that match the person’s situation. This collaborative process means plans can change if something doesn’t fit.
Online formats include video calls, phone sessions, live chat, and text-based messaging. Video sessions allow face-to-face conversation and visual cues. Phone sessions can be easier when bandwidth or cameras are limited. Chat and messaging are helpful for brief check-ins, journaling between sessions, or fitting therapy into a busy day. These options make it easier to keep therapy consistent while balancing work, parenting, and other responsibilities.
Frequently asked questions
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What are her credentials and where is she located?
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Specialties and expertise
Top specialties
- Stress, Anxiety
- Family conflicts
- Self esteem
Also works with
- Anger management
- Bipolar disorder
- Career difficulties
- Depression
- Eating disorders
- Grief
- Intimacy-related issues
- Relationship issues
- Trauma and abuse
Therapeutic approaches
- Experience
- 11 years
- Licensed
- North Carolina, South Carolina
- Languages
- English