Melissa Sonthonax, LMHC

Florida | Online sessions in Florida | English | Book with Melissa »

Practical, narrative‑informed counseling for adults

Details

Name	Melissa Sonthonax
Credentials	LMHC
Based in	Florida
Licensed in	Florida
Session format	Online
Languages	English
Years in practice	10

About Melissa

Melissa Sonthonax is a Licensed Mental Health Counselor (LMHC) based in Florida. She has ten years of experience helping people navigate anxiety, depression, relationship and self-esteem concerns. Melissa focuses on practical steps clients can use right away.

Her style is straightforward and supportive. She uses narrative ideas to help people rewrite the stories they tell about themselves. Melissa also draws from client-centered methods to make sessions feel respectful and collaborative.

Background and approach

Cognitive behavioral techniques and mindfulness practices are used to spot unhelpful thoughts and build new habits. Many clients come for help with stress, panic attacks, social anxiety, or difficulty with intimacy and communication. She also works with people facing addiction, life transitions, or career and money stress.

Melissa aims to create clear, doable goals so progress feels measurable. Sessions focus on what someone wants to change and how to get there. Melissa helps people name patterns, try small experiments, and notice what shifts.

She emphasizes building confidence through real-world practice as much as through conversation. Her counseling draws on ten years of direct work with adults in Florida. Melissa explains techniques in plain language and adjusts the pace to each person.

The result is an approach meant to feel practical, humane, and rooted in daily life.

What this therapist works with

Her listing names Stress, Anxiety, Relationship issues, Self esteem among the things Melissa works with, alongside the areas below.

Approaches listed

Narrative Therapy: Named in her listing among her approaches.
Client-Centered Therapy: Listed by Melissa among the ways she works.
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT): Listed by Melissa among the ways she works.
Mindfulness Therapy: Listed by Melissa among the ways she works.
Motivational Interviewing: Listed by Melissa among the ways she works.
Solution-Focused Therapy: Listed by Melissa among the ways she works.
Training stated: This directory copies the approaches a therapist names and does not check training records. Ask Melissa directly how much of the work is narrative and what a session usually looks like.

Narrative Therapy in this listing

Narrative Therapy appears in this therapist's own list of approaches. That tells you it is part of how she works. It does not tell you how much of a session it shapes, and this directory does not check or rate training.

If a narrative approach is what you are looking for, it is worth asking Melissa directly how she uses it and what a session usually looks like.

Online session options

Narrative and practical approaches available online

Melissa often uses Narrative Therapy to help people reframe the stories they tell about themselves and their problems. This approach can be useful for issues like shame, identity questions, loneliness, or feeling stuck because it separates the person from the problem and opens room for new possibilities.

She also uses Client-Centered Therapy, which focuses on listening, empathy, and meeting each person where they are. That method helps when someone needs a calm place to sort through feelings and decide what matters most. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) is part of her toolbox too; CBT helps spot unhelpful thoughts and test small behavior changes for problems like panic, social anxiety, and low mood.

Choosing the right approach is a collaborative process. Melissa will talk with each person about their goals and preferences, try methods that fit, and adjust as progress becomes clear. The aim is to find what actually helps the client reach their goals.

Online therapy gives practical flexibility. Video calls let people use visual cues and longer talk sessions. Phone sessions can be easier when bandwidth or camera use is an issue. Live chat and text messaging work well for brief check-ins, coaching-style guidance, or quick coping tools between sessions. These options make it easier to fit therapy into a busy life while working directly on the concerns that matter most.

Common questions about this listing

What kinds of concerns does Melissa help with?

She helps people with stress, anxiety, depression, relationship and intimacy-related issues, self-esteem problems, career and life change challenges, addictions, anger, and coping skills.

What is her general therapy style like?

Her style is collaborative and practical. Sessions focus on naming patterns, setting goals, and trying small changes that fit everyday life.

How much experience does she bring?

Melissa has ten years of experience working with adults on a range of mental health and life concerns.

What credential does she hold and where is she located?

She is a Licensed Mental Health Counselor (LMHC) licensed in Florida and practices out of that state.

Are sessions offered in any other languages?

Sessions are offered in English.

What formats are available for meeting online?

Therapy is offered via video calls, phone sessions, live chat, and text-based messaging.

How does payment and cost work?

Cost varies with location and therapist availability; sessions are provided through a subscription model that can be canceled at any time.

How do I begin working with Melissa?

Start by selecting the Start Therapy button, complete a short matching questionnaire, and then schedule sessions according to therapist availability.

Contacting this therapist

Sessions with Melissa are arranged through our partner platform. It asks a few questions about what you are looking for, then shows you the therapists available to you, including Melissa where she has space. Ask about fees, and whether she holds a licence or registration where you live.

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