Meet Melissa
Are you looking for a therapist to support you on your journey towards loving, accepting, and becoming your true authentic self?
I am Melissa Sivaram (she/they) and I am an inclusive, compassionate, and energetic therapist. I work with people who want to feel comfortable being their true and authentic selves and create more balance for a richer and fuller life. I love to work with those in marginalized communities to overcome systemic oppression and become empowered to be their true authentic selves. I help trans and gender queer folx take up space and stay true to their identities. I am passionate about helping you on your journey to self-love and a more balanced life.
At Balanced Mind Therapy, you’ll find evidence based therapy practices, compassionate treatment, and trauma informed care.
In our work together, I will create a safe space for you to share your trauma and pain. We will unravel messages you’ve received that have led you to feel uncomfortable in your mind and body. I will empower you to change the narrative and gain acceptance of yourself. Collaboratively, we will create a plan for your treatment, set goals, and you will gain skills and trust in yourself to become the truest version of you.
I am a queer, half Indian half Jewish woman who grew up in rural, predominantly white, areas. I learned at a young age that I was “different” and couldn’t fit in no matter how hard I tried. I developed behaviors to change my body, appearance, and personality to appear as “white” as possible in order to fit in. It wasn’t until I learned to love and accept myself, with a ton of love and support, that led me to truly being happy with myself. I feel passionate about holding your hand on this journey as I know how difficult and rewarding it can be.
I am a licensed mental health counselor/licensed professional counselor in the states of Washington and Oregon with a bachelors degree in psychology and women’s studies and a master’s degree in clinical mental health counseling.
I use several types of therapy that are helpful in transforming our relationships with ourselves. Acceptance and Commitment Therapy helps you focus on what is most important in your life, make decisions based on these values, and helps you become more flexible to the struggles that life throws at us. Dialectical Behavior Therapy teaches coping skills for tough emotions and gives tools for improving relationships. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and Cognitive Processing Therapy work to help you change your automatic thought patterns that cause unwanted emotions and help to unravel beliefs about yourself, others, and the world that you may have developed from trauma.
