Melissa Torres, LCSW

Melissa Torres is a licensed clinical social worker (LCSW) based in Virginia who helps people facing stress, anxiety, depression, addiction, grief, and trauma and abuse. She focuses on relationship and intimacy concerns, self-esteem, career stress, caregiving strain, and the practical problems that come with big life changes. Melissa speaks English and Spanish and aims to make therapy feel straightforward and respectful.

She keeps sessions grounded and practical. Melissa uses therapy methods that help people notice what matters, challenge unhelpful thoughts, build emotional skills, and increase present-moment awareness. Sessions often include clear strategies, short skill practice, and space to talk through painful events at a pace that feels manageable.

Melissa has six years of clinical experience working with diverse backgrounds, including people affected by domestic violence, addiction, separation and divorce, and complicated family dynamics. She pays attention to how culture and background shape someone’s healing process and adjusts her approach to fit each person’s values and goals.

Her style is collaborative and straightforward. Melissa asks questions, offers tools, and checks in about what is helpful. She works with people who are coping with compassion fatigue, abandonment or attachment issues, dissociation, and guilt or shame, among other concerns.

People who choose her often want practical steps alongside emotional support. She encourages small, sustainable changes and helps clients track progress over time. If you prefer therapy in Spanish, she can work in that language as well.

How therapy approaches translate to online care

Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) helps people notice unhelpful thoughts and choose actions that match their values. It can be useful for anxiety, stress, and making life changes. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) focuses on identifying and changing patterns of thinking and behavior that worsen mood or anxiety, with practical exercises to try between sessions. Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) emphasizes emotion regulation, distress tolerance, and interpersonal skills for people who struggle with intense emotions or relationship difficulties.

Finding the right approach is part of the work. Melissa will collaborate with each person to decide which methods fit best based on their needs, goals, and personal preferences. She often combines elements from different approaches to build a plan that feels useful and realistic.

Confirm current session options before booking since formats were not specified in the profile. Online therapy can make it easier to fit sessions into a busy life, reduce travel time, and allow brief check-ins when schedules are tight. It also supports continuity of care during transitions like job changes or relocation. Licensed professionals can adapt tools and practice exercises for remote sessions so people can practice skills between meetings.