Find a therapist, counselor or psychologist in Columbia, SC

"I treat others the way that I want to be treated. Focusing on meeting the client where they are and moving forward in progress to help you find your balance between mind, body, and soul. "

Melissa is a board-certified Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP-BC). She has worked to manage a wide variety of mental health concerns such as crisis intervention, depression, anxiety, ADHD, school and social issues, personality disorders, adjustment disorders, caregiver's fatigue, and addiction disorders. She is easy to talk to and helps you feel comfortable with sharing to best manage your mental and emotional health. She is compassionate in providing comprehensive mental health services to all ages. Melissa's role as a PMHNP includes medication manager, therapist, educator, and mental health advocate.

Melissa holds a Master's in Nursing (MSN) from Walden University and a Bachelor's degree in psychology from Campbell University. With more than 18 years of counseling and nursing experience, Melissa provides clients with medication management, incorporates various therapeutic techniques to improve mental health, and stays updated on current trends.

"Life is a challenge. It’s okay not to be okay. You have faced things that you never thought you would have to face over the last few years," says Melissa. She can assist you with managing or balancing your life's expedition, to create or reconnect with your better self. If you are ready to take the next steps to wellness, schedule an appointment with Melissa today!

"I am non-judgmental and open to working with all individuals. "

Michele is a Board-Certified Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PHMNP-BC) with more than 17 years of experience working with adults who are suffering from anxiety, depression, stress management, adjustment difficulties, OCD, PTSD, and substance abuse. She is hard-working, compassionate, and empathic with a commitment to providing the best mental health care services to individuals.

She obtained her Bachelor's degree in Nursing from Daemen College and completed her Master's degree in Nursing from the University of South Carolina. She possesses the ability to connect with her patients and develop a rapport. In addition to medication management, she incorporates cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), motivation interviewing (MIT), person center care techniques (PCT). 

Michele is dedicated to educating and empowering her patients so they can actively participate in their own medical treatment and recovery. We all go through difficult times; the support and guidance Michele offers can help achieve an optimal level of health and well-being. 

"As a professional working in psychiatry for over 20 years, I understand the complexity of the need to have a well-balanced and low-stress lifestyle."

Rebecca Merli is a board-certified Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP), with over 25 years of experience working in psychiatry. She is experienced in treating both the child/adolescent and adult population of patients needing assistance with mental health diagnosis and medication management. Rebecca trained with a board-certified psychiatrist for five years and specializes in initial assessments, diagnosis, and medication management for mental health issues. She does not perform traditional psychotherapy but will incorporate brief psychotherapy into scheduled appointments. Rebecca understands that each person is a unique individual who deserves the time and respect of being heard and will give each patient her individual attention to address their specific needs.

Rebecca Merli, PMHNP-BC began her nursing career as a Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) working with the child/adolescent mental health population and continued working while advancing her career and education. She has worked in the mental health areas of acute inpatient, outpatient, residential, and partial hospitalization. At work, she has cared for both adult and child/adolescent patients with mental health needs in both the acute inpatient setting as well as the outpatient setting. She understands the overwhelming need for this population of patients and has extensive training and knowledge in caring for children and adults with mental health needs. She has also trained and has extensive experience in crisis stabilization for acute mental health patients (NCI).

Rebecca Merli, PMHNP-BC is a strong advocate for improved care and access to care in mental health and brings a holistic approach with a focus on mind and body, including the need for psychotherapy with medication management. She provides individualized, personal, and comprehensive care for her patients.

"You can't control everything and everyone around you, but you can learn to control how you react to it by establishing boundaries and healthy coping skills to promote peace and balance for you."

Brittany Aiken is a Licensed Professional Counseling Associate with more than 3 years of experience in mental health. She currently specializes in helping people dealing with symptoms of depression and anxiety due to various life changes. She creates a safe environment for you to talk about the things that are going on, assists you in determining what your goals for therapy are, and, through collaboration, helps you figure out changes that will work to accomplish those goals. During your time together, you and Brittany will build a rapport that will make you feel comfortable sharing, supported, and enthusiastic about the changes you've made.

Brittany utilizes a holistic approach, incorporating different techniques that may be beneficial to your personal needs. Additionally, she implements cognitive behavioral therapy, motivational interviewing, mindfulness, person-centered techniques, and culturally sensitive therapy techniques.

Therapy is not a "one size fits all" type of situation. You are unique and your needs should be addressed based on you only. In order for therapy to be effective, you must be committed to the process and open to trying new things.

Howard Malpass is a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC), Supervisor (LPC-S), and Master Addiction Counselor (MAC) who has over 30 years of experience in the mental health field. Howard's initial 5 years of counseling were as a substance abuse counselor in the U.S. Navy. After retiring from the military, he worked within the substance use disorder and behavioral health fields as a counselor and clinical supervisor. Howard has worked with adolescents in a children's home environment (using mainly experiential therapy); worked with individuals, couples, and families; led Women's Intensive Outpatient AOD groups, multi-family groups, Life Skills groups, Mens' Sexual Addiction groups (in a Christian setting), aftercare groups, and many more.

Howard completed his Master of Arts (MA) in Counseling at Webster University. He is trained in motivational interviewing, cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), rational behavior therapy, family systems therapy, experiential therapy, person-centered therapy, modified-interpersonal group therapy, and more. Howard utilizes a strength-based perspective, collaborating with clients to find out what works best for them, allowing them to decide how they want to proceed, and supporting them in the process. All of his clients are ideal clients because he realizes that we are all humans with issues and needs. Howard is willing to work with any client with any need, but realizes his limitations and refers clients elsewhere before attempting to counsel them outside of his clinical experience.

Howard operates from a holistic perspective, recognizing that there is more to a person than just mental, emotional, and physical components. He also understands that behaviors are forms of communication and symptoms of deeper, underlying issues. Howard’s ability to use experiential techniques creates a unique environment that enables clients to engage in more than just "talk" therapy to help get to the "root" of those issues, so that they can learn and practice new life skills to assist them in their personal growth and healing. His use of motivational interviewing integrated with different therapeutic approaches, enhances the therapeutic relationship process, helping clients to move forward faster as they feel more invested in the process.

Howard seeks to meet clients where they are at and walk with them to assist with navigating through the ups and downs of their life journey. We all struggle at times as we journey through life. Our struggles often tend to isolate us from those who love and care about us, leading us into deeper levels of isolation and despair. Counseling can help to restore our sense of self and our supportive relationships. It reminds us that we are not alone and have intrinsic value that contributes to our wholeness, as well as the wholeness of society. Howard’s hope and desire is to be one of the links that reconnect you to your whole self and those you need in your life to support you in being the best "you" you can be. You are worth it!

"As a woman and a veteran, life can present us with challenges and barriers that we sometimes need assistance with getting through."

Candace Cox is a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) with over 6 years of experience working with clients of all ages who are struggling with anxiety disorders, depression, and anger issues due to work, family, school issues, or relationship dysfunction with their significant others. Candace also likes to help her clients by educating and teaching techniques to help alleviate some of the symptoms they are encountering.

Candace earned her Master's degree in Counseling from Webster University. She finds it particularly rewarding working with young people to help change their outlook on school, grades, and peer pressure. She has worked as part of a team with parents, teachers, and administrative staff to provide the appropriate level of therapy for the desired change in behavior. Candace ensures that every client is able to talk and reveal as much or as little as they feel comfortable doing. 

Candace strives to help you to envision and reflect on your life. She can uniquely assist you with her person-centered approach that relies on the principles of cognitive behavior therapy. Everyone needs someone to talk to, sometimes to just listen, and sometimes for sound advice or guidance.

As a woman and a veteran, Candace is well aware that life can present us with challenges and barriers that we sometimes need assistance with getting through.

Zendrea Govan is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker in South Carolina with over 7 years of experience providing therapy to youths, adults, and families. She specializes in supporting individuals through anxiety, depression, grief, family conflicts, stress, anger, and trauma. Zendrea is passionate about helping clients improve their quality of life and overcome personal challenges. She currently provides counseling to adults age 18+. 

Zendrea received her Master of Social Work from Case Western University. She uses cognitive behavioral therapy to work with clients experiencing depression and anxiety.

Zendra looks forward to meeting you and encourages you to schedule your initial appointment today!

Norman Patterson is a Licensed Independent Social Worker with over 6 years of experience. He specializes in helping individuals age 18+ with concerns including substance abuse, addiction, stress, and post-traumatic stress disorder. Norman became a mental health provider because of the life-changing nature of the help he received when he was going through a rough time. He treats all clients with respect, sensitivity, and compassion.

Norman has a Master’s in Social Work from the University of Georgia. He primarily uses cognitive behavioral therapy and also incorporates eye movement desensitization and reprocessing, motivational interviewing, and mindfulness techniques.

Norman’s education and experience allow him to take a direct, empathic

approach toward improving client needs and outlook on life. He will assist you in being all you can be in a non-judgmental atmosphere. If you are ready to start, schedule an appointment with Norman today!