Melissa Sonthonax, LMHC

Melissa Sonthonax is a Licensed Mental Health Counselor (LMHC) based in Florida who uses Cognitive Behavioral Therapy as a core part of her work. She focuses on practical steps people can take to feel better. Melissa helps people address stress, anxiety, depression, self-esteem, relationship and intimacy concerns, and addictions. With ten years of experience in the mental health field, she draws on client-centered and mindfulness approaches to tailor care. Sessions emphasize realistic goals and hands-on strategies to manage feelings and behavior. She also uses motivational interviewing and narrative techniques to help people clarify values and reshape unhelpful stories they tell themselves. Melissa aims to help people strengthen everyday coping skills. She works with clients to build confidence through changes in outer behaviors that support inner growth. Conversations lead to concrete action plans that fit each person’s life. Her background includes a Master’s degree in psychology and a decade of practice helping people with worry, panic, social anxiety, low self-worth, career concerns, and life transitions. She also addresses abandonment, attachment, codependency, and communication struggles. People who meet with Melissa can expect a respectful, calm space to talk through their concerns and set achievable goals. She offers individualized plans rather than one-size-fits-all fixes. The focus is on useful tools and clear next steps that make daily life more manageable.

How CBT and Client-Centered Methods Work Online

Melissa commonly uses Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and client-centered and mindfulness approaches in online sessions. CBT involves identifying unhelpful thoughts and testing small behavior changes to reduce anxiety and depression. Client-centered work emphasizes listening and reflecting so people feel heard and can discover their own solutions. Mindfulness practices teach simple attention and breathing skills to reduce reactivity and improve focus.

Finding the right approach is a collaborative process. The therapist will talk with each person about their goals and preferences, and together they will try techniques that fit the individual. Adjustments are made over time so the plan stays useful and realistic.

Online formats include video calls, phone sessions, live chat, and text-based messaging, which make it easier to fit therapy into a busy life. Video sessions let people work face to face when they prefer that interaction. Phone sessions use less bandwidth and can be a good option for shorter check-ins. Live chat and text messaging support frequent brief check-ins, homework questions, and ongoing encouragement between longer sessions. These options help people access therapy with more flexibility and consistency.