Melissa Maynes, LMHC, LMFT

Melissa Maynes is a licensed mental health counselor (LMHC) and licensed marriage and family therapist (LMFT) practicing in Washington with over 15 years of experience. As an LMHC she is trained to assess and treat a wide range of mental health concerns, and as an LMFT she brings specialized training in relational and family systems work. Her background includes extensive work with military populations, so she is familiar with military culture and the lifestyle factors that affect service members and their families.

She has supported people facing addiction, depression, anxiety, relationship difficulties, midlife or existential questions, divorce, career transitions and parenting challenges. Her approach is open, interactive and nonjudgmental, focused on empowering clients to move toward the changes they seek. Melissa emphasizes collaboration, treating each client as the expert on their own life and tailoring conversation and treatment plans to meet individual needs.

Building a strong therapeutic relationship is central to her practice, and she aims to create a space where clients can be comfortable, candid and engaged in the work. Seeking therapy is framed as a courageous first step, and Melissa welcomes the opportunity to help clients pursue greater well-being and meaningful change.

Approaches and Options for Online Therapy

Melissa often uses cognitive behavioral therapy, motivational interviewing and narrative therapy when working with clients. Cognitive behavioral therapy helps people notice and change unhelpful thoughts and behaviors, and it is commonly used for anxiety, depression and stress-related concerns. Motivational interviewing is a collaborative, goal-oriented method that helps clients resolve ambivalence and build motivation for change, which can be especially useful for addictions and behavior change. Narrative therapy focuses on the stories people tell about their lives, helping them reframe experiences and separate problems from identity to support new possibilities.

Finding the right approach is part of the therapeutic work. Melissa collaborates with each client to determine which methods fit their needs, goals and preferences, and she adapts techniques over time as progress is made. This collaborative process helps tailor care to the individual rather than applying a single method to every situation.

Online therapy with Melissa is available via video calls, phone sessions, live chat and text-based messaging. These options offer flexibility for scheduling, allow continuity of care across life transitions and make it easier to access licensed professionals from different locations. The variety of formats supports different communication styles and practical needs while maintaining a focus on effective therapeutic work.