Dr. Melody Madaris, LCPC

Dr. Melody Madaris is a Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor (LCPC) with 14 years of experience supporting people through addiction, trauma, bipolar disorder, and related challenges. She has concentrated much of her career on co-occurring disorders, combining care for substance use and mental health concerns to help clients stabilize and rebuild their lives. Her clinical work emphasizes building trust through genuine connection, and she draws on a practical, action-oriented approach to help clients identify where change is needed and how to begin making it.

In addition to direct clinical practice, Dr. Madaris manages a team of over 60 staff at a community mental health center where she serves as administrator for co-occurring disorders. Her administrative responsibilities include oversight of a residential treatment facility, six outpatient co-occurring programs, a 24-hour mobile crisis program, an employee assistance program, a mental health awareness initiative, and a substance abuse prevention program. This combination of leadership and frontline experience informs her understanding of systems of care and the supports clients may need.

Dr. Madaris believes meaningful change requires targeted effort and sustained support, and she works with people to identify the specific areas of life that need attention and to build steps for starting and maintaining change. She aims to guide clients along a practical path toward improved wellbeing and coping.

Evidence-Informed Approaches for Online Care

Dr. Madaris often integrates Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) into her work, a present-focused approach that helps people clarify personal values and take committed action even when difficult thoughts and feelings are present. ACT can be useful for managing anxiety, depression, and patterns that get in the way of meaningful goals.

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) is another common approach she uses; CBT focuses on identifying unhelpful thoughts and behaviors and developing practical skills to shift them. This approach is helpful for mood disorders, panic, and many everyday coping challenges.

Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) offers skills in emotion regulation, distress tolerance, interpersonal effectiveness, and mindfulness, and it can be particularly helpful for intense emotional states, self-harm risk, and challenges with impulsivity.

Choosing the right approach is a collaborative process. Dr. Madaris works with each person to assess needs, goals, and preferences, and then tailors treatment using one or more of these methods so therapy fits the individual.

Online therapy with licensed professionals offers practical flexibility - sessions can happen by video call, phone, live chat, or text-based messaging to fit different schedules and comfort levels. These options make it easier to maintain consistent care, access support during life transitions, and coordinate therapy around work, family, or other commitments.