Dr. Melinda Lawless Coker

Seasoned relational therapist with practical tools

LMFT Florida

Experience: 32 years in practice
Focus areas: Stress, Anxiety, Addictions, Relationship
Approaches: Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Attachment-Based Therapy
Languages: English

About Melinda

Dr. Melinda Lawless Coker draws on more than three decades of clinical work to address concerns such as stress, anxiety, addictions, trauma and abuse, grief, depression, bipolar disorder, ADHD, intimacy-related difficulties, parenting challenges, and a broad range of relationship and self-esteem issues.

Background and approach

She blends relational perspectives with practical strategies to help clients clarify emotional needs, strengthen boundaries, and develop skills for managing everyday challenges and complex life transitions. Trained and licensed in Florida as an LMFT, Dr.

Coker integrates Cognitive Behavioral Therapy with attachment-based and client-centered ideas, along with dialectical and existential influences when useful. Her background includes practice across settings from outpatient psychotherapy to inpatient and court-linked treatment programs, and she has worked with survivors of sexual and domestic violence as well as people facing substance use concerns.

She invites questions and collaboration so that each person can shape a treatment path that fits their goals and circumstances.

Therapeutic approaches and accessible online care

Dr. Coker commonly draws from Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and Attachment-Based Therapy, explaining each in plain terms and tailoring them to the presenting problem. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy helps people identify and change unhelpful thoughts and behaviors, making it useful for anxiety, depression, stress, and habits related to addiction. Attachment-Based Therapy explores patterns that formed in relationships early in life and focuses on improving emotional connections and boundaries, which can help with intimacy issues, abandonment concerns, and family dynamics.

Finding the right approach is part of the therapeutic process, and she collaborates with clients to determine which methods best match their needs, goals, and personal preferences. This collaborative process allows adjustments over time so the work remains relevant and effective for the individual's circumstances.

Offering video calls, phone sessions, live chat, and text-based messaging, online therapy with her provides flexibility for people with busy schedules, caregiving responsibilities, or geographic distance from Florida. These formats make it easier to maintain continuity of care, practice skills between sessions, and choose a communication style that feels most comfortable.

Frequently asked questions

What concerns does she commonly address?

Dr. Coker works with issues including stress, anxiety, addictions, trauma and abuse, grief, depression, bipolar disorder, ADHD, relationship and intimacy-related difficulties, parenting and self-esteem concerns.

What is her therapeutic style and approach?

Her style combines relational, attachment-aware work with practical, evidence-informed approaches such as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and dialectical strategies, adapting methods to each client's needs.

How much clinical experience does she have?

She brings 32 years of experience working in diverse settings including personal psychotherapy, inpatient drug treatment, high school counseling, women's prison programs, and drug court treatment.

What are her credentials and where is she licensed?

She is a licensed marriage and family therapist with credentials listed as FL LMFT MT1504 and FL Psychologist PY7080, and she practices from Florida.

Does she work with clients who live outside the United States?

Yes, she accepts international clients and conducts sessions with people who are located outside the U.S.

Which session formats are available for therapy?

Sessions can be scheduled as video calls, phone sessions, live chat, or text-based messaging to accommodate different communication preferences.

How is cost handled for sessions?

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

What steps are involved in getting started?

Begin by selecting the Start Therapy button, completing a short matching questionnaire, and scheduling a time based on the therapist's availability.

Areas of expertise

Primary focus

Stress, Anxiety AddictionsRelationship issuesFamily conflictsTrauma and abuse

Also works with

LGBTGriefIntimacy-related issuesParenting issuesAnger managementSelf esteemCareer difficultiesBipolar disorderDepression Coping with life changes Compassion fatigue ADHD

Additional focus areas

AbandonmentAttachment issuesAvoidant personalityBlended family issuesBody imageCaregiver issues and stressCo-morbidityCodependencyCommitment issuesCommunication problemsControl issuesCoping with natural or human-caused disasterDependent personalityDisruptive Mood Dysregulation Disorder (DMDD)DissociationDivorce and separationDomestic violenceDrug and alcohol addictionEmptinessFamily of origin issuesFamily problemsFatherhood issuesFirst responder issuesGender dysphoriaGuilt and shameHIV / AIDSHospice and end-of-life counselingImpulsivity Isolation / lonelinessJealousyLife purposeMen's issuesVeteran and Armed Forces IssuesMood disordersMulticultural concernsPanic disorder and panic attacksPersonality disordersPhobiasPolyamory / non-monogamous relationshipsPostpartum depressionPost-traumatic stressPrejudice and discriminationProcess addiction (porn, exercise, gambling)Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD)Self-harmSelf-loveSexual assault and abuseSexualitySmoking / vaping cessationSocial anxiety and phobiaSomatizationTraumatic brain injuryWomen's issuesWorkplace issuesYoung adult issues

Therapeutic approaches

Attachment-Based TherapyClient-Centered TherapyCognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT)Existential TherapyMindfulness TherapyPsychodynamic TherapyTrauma-Focused Therapy

Experience

32+ years

Licensed

Florida, Florida

Languages

English