- Years in practice
- 13
- Credentials
- LCPC, LPC
- Licensed in
- Alabama, Georgia, Illinois
- Languages
- English
- Focus
- Stress, Anxiety
- Focus
- Trauma and abuse
- Focus
- Anger management
About Melissa
Dr. Melissa Chovan is a licensed counselor with 13 years of clinical experience. She practices in Alabama and brings a direct, warm style to sessions.
Parents reading this will find clear, practical support aimed at everyday problems rather than jargon. Dr. Chovan focuses on common and urgent concerns such as stress, anxiety, depression, trauma, parenting challenges, and substance issues.
She also addresses ADHD, grief, intimacy-related worries, and career stress. Her approach is interactive and grounded in listening first, then building steps that fit each person’s life.
Background and approach
Her background includes work in community mental health, independent practice, correctional settings, and programs for at-risk youth. That range informs a practical way of working with real-world problems. She has experience with domestic violence, sexual assault, and child protective services cases.
Dr. Chovan uses a variety of methods in session such as cognitive behavioral techniques, motivational interviewing, mindfulness practices, and dialectical behavior strategies. She tailors these tools to the issue at hand and to each client’s pace.
Sessions are designed to build hope, teach skills, and improve daily functioning. The emphasis is on creating a respectful working relationship and giving parents usable strategies for managing stress and family challenges. People who want to be heard and to take practical steps will likely find her style helpful.
She aims to collaborate with clients to set goals and track small changes over time.
What Melissa works with
Everything Melissa lists, in the therapist's own terms. Parenting is the reason this directory exists; the rest shows what else Melissa helps people with.
- Stress, Anxiety
- Trauma and abuse
- Anger management
- Depression
- Addictions
- LGBT
- Relationship issues
- Family conflicts
- Grief
- Intimacy-related issues
- Parenting issues
- Career difficulties
- Bipolar disorder
- Coping with life changes
- Compassion fatigue
- ADHD
- Codependency
- Communication problems
- Control issues
- Divorce and separation
- Domestic violence
- Family of origin issues
- Family problems
- First responder issues
- Gender dysphoria
- Guilt and shame
- Life purpose
- Veteran and Armed Forces Issues
- Phobias
- Postpartum depression
- Post-traumatic stress
- Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD)
- Sexual assault and abuse
- Social anxiety and phobia
- Women's issues
- Young adult issues
Approaches Melissa lists
- Client-Centered Therapy
- Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
- Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT)
- Mindfulness Therapy
- Motivational Interviewing
- Trauma-Focused Therapy
Listing an approach is not evidence of training in it. This directory copies what each therapist names and does not check training records.
Applied Approaches and Online Options for Parents
Dr. Chovan commonly draws on client-centered work and cognitive behavioral therapy. Client-centered work focuses on listening, empathy, and building a strong working relationship so parents feel heard and understood. Cognitive behavioral therapy looks at how thoughts, feelings, and behaviors connect and teaches specific skills to change unhelpful patterns.She also uses dialectical behavior therapy techniques to teach practical coping skills for intense emotions and relationship stress. These strategies can help with anger, anxiety, and parenting moments that feel overwhelming. Choosing the right combination of approaches is collaborative - she will talk with each person about goals and preferences and then adapt methods to fit those needs.
Online sessions are offered via video calls, phone sessions, live chat, and text-based messaging. Video allows for face-to-face conversation and demonstrations of skills. Phone sessions can be easier when bandwidth is limited or for short check-ins. Live chat and text work well for brief updates, homework check-ins, or when writing feels more comfortable than speaking. These options make it easier to fit therapy around work, childcare, and busy days while still receiving consistent support.
Questions people ask about Melissa
What kinds of concerns does she address?
She works with stress, anxiety, depression, trauma and abuse, parenting challenges, addictions, grief, intimacy issues, ADHD, and related concerns like codependency and communication problems.
What is her therapeutic style like?
Her style is warm, respectful, and interactive. She listens first, then uses practical techniques and skills tailored to each person's needs.
How much clinical experience does she have?
She has 13 years of experience as a practicing therapist and additional years working in related mental health roles such as community mental health, corrections, and programs for at-risk youth.
What credentials does she hold and where is she based?
She is credentialed as an LCPC and an LPC and practices in Alabama with professional licensure in Illinois (LCPC) and Georgia (LPC) noted.
Which languages are sessions offered in?
Sessions are offered in English and international clients are not currently accepted.
What session formats are available?
She provides video calls, phone sessions, live chat, and text-based messaging to fit different schedules and communication preferences.
How is cost handled?
Cost varies by location and therapist availability, and sessions use a subscription model that can be canceled at any time.
How do I begin working with her?
Start by selecting the Start Therapy button, complete a short matching questionnaire, and schedule sessions according to the therapist's availability.
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