Melissa Guarnaccia
Compassionate, action-oriented clinical social worker
LISW-CP, LCSW North Carolina
- Experience
- 11 years in practice
- Focus areas
- Stress, Anxiety, Family, Self esteem
- Approaches
- Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)
- Languages
- English
About Melissa
Melissa Guarnaccia is a licensed clinical social worker who integrates Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) into a practical, action-focused approach.
Background and approach
With eleven years of clinical experience, she blends an open-minded, relaxed manner with goal-oriented strategies to help clients address anxiety, depression, relationship and family concerns, and other challenges such as stress, grief, anger, eating issues, intimacy-related difficulties, career questions, and bipolar mood concerns.
She has worked across hospital, school, and independent practice settings and brings that breadth of experience to each client encounter. Melissa values collaboration and uses evidence-informed techniques to help people develop coping skills, change unhelpful thinking patterns, and discover behaviors that better align with their values.
Her background also includes training as a Parenting with Love & Logic instructor, and she offers workshops in that program to support families navigating parenting and family conflict.
Originally from Charlotte, North Carolina, Melissa earned a BA in Psychology from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and a Master of Social Work from the University of North Carolina at Charlotte. She holds the credentials LISW-CP and LCSW and combines professional expertise with a warm, approachable presence.
Online Therapy Using Practical, Evidence-Informed Methods
Melissa uses Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) as part of her online practice. CBT focuses on identifying and shifting unhelpful thought patterns and behaviors to reduce symptoms like anxiety and depression, and to improve daily functioning. ACT emphasizes clarifying personal values, accepting difficult emotions, and committing to actions that move a person toward a meaningful life, which can be helpful for stress, grief, and relationship struggles.Choosing the right therapeutic approach is a collaborative process. Melissa works with clients to explore which methods fit their needs, goals, and preferences, and she tailors strategies from CBT and ACT to the individual. This collaborative planning helps ensure techniques are practical and relevant to each person's circumstances.
Online sessions are offered via video calls, phone sessions, live chat, and text-based messaging, providing flexibility for different schedules and comfort levels. These options make it easier to maintain continuity of care while balancing work, family, and other commitments, and they allow licensed professionals like Melissa to deliver consistent, skills-focused therapy across a variety of formats.
Frequently asked questions
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Areas of expertise
Primary focus
Also works with
Therapeutic approaches
Experience
11+ years
Licensed
North Carolina, South Carolina
Languages
English