Melissa Maaske

Skilled LICSW offering practical, compassionate care

LICSW Minnesota

Experience: 10 years in practice
Focus areas: Stress, Anxiety, Relationship, Trauma and abuse
Approaches: Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT)
Languages: English

About Melissa

Melissa Maaske is a Minnesota-licensed clinical social worker (LICSW) with ten years of experience helping people navigate stress, anxiety, relationship strains, trauma, and self-esteem struggles.

Background and approach

She approaches care with compassion and respect, creating a space where clients can begin to explore patterns, make clearer decisions, and work toward more satisfying connections and everyday functioning.

Her practice addresses a broad range of concerns including depression, addictions, grief, intimacy-related issues, eating and anger challenges, career stress, compassion fatigue, and ADHD, along with related topics such as attachment and abandonment, blended family dynamics, caregiver stress, codependency, and communication or control problems.

Melissa draws from evidence-based methods including Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), while also integrating motivational interviewing, psychodynamic ideas, and solution-focused techniques to tailor work to each person’s situation. Clients can expect a collaborative stance in which therapist and client define goals together and pursue practical strategies that fit daily life.

Melissa affirms each person’s worth and emphasizes steady progress toward clearer choices, improved coping, and healthier relationships.

How Melissa's Approaches Translate to Online Therapy

Melissa frequently uses Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, which focuses on identifying and changing unhelpful thoughts and behaviors to reduce symptoms like anxiety and depression, and Dialectical Behavior Therapy, which emphasizes skills for emotion regulation, distress tolerance, and improving interpersonal effectiveness. Both approaches lend themselves well to practical exercises, homework, and skills practice that can be carried out between sessions and adapted for remote work.

Finding the right approach is treated as a collaborative process. She works with clients to clarify goals and preferences, then tailors methods to match individual needs rather than relying on a single technique. This allows therapist and client to adjust pace and strategies as progress is made.

Online sessions are offered via video calls, phone, live chat, or text-based messaging to increase flexibility for different schedules and comfort levels. These options make it easier to maintain continuity of care, practice new skills in everyday contexts, and fit therapy into busy lives while preserving a consistent therapeutic relationship with a licensed professional.

Frequently asked questions

What kinds of concerns does Melissa address?

Her practice covers stress, anxiety, relationship struggles, trauma and abuse, self-esteem, depression, addictions, grief, intimacy-related issues, eating and anger concerns, career stress, compassion fatigue, and ADHD among other areas.

How would you describe her therapeutic style?

She uses a blend of evidence-informed methods such as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and Dialectical Behavior Therapy alongside motivational interviewing, psychodynamic ideas, and solution-focused techniques to create a practical, compassionate approach.

How much experience does she bring to therapy?

Melissa has ten years of clinical experience working with a variety of mental health and interpersonal concerns.

What are her credentials and where is she licensed?

She holds the LICSW credential and is licensed in Minnesota with license number MN LICSW 18331.

Does she offer services in languages other than English or to international clients?

Sessions are conducted in English and she is not currently accepting international clients.

What session formats are available?

Clients may meet via video calls, phone sessions, live chat, or text-based messaging depending on preference and availability.

How is cost handled for sessions?

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

What steps are required to begin working together?

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

Areas of expertise

Primary focus

Stress, AnxietyRelationship issuesTrauma and abuse Self esteem Depression

Also works with

AddictionsLGBTFamily conflictsGriefIntimacy-related issuesEating disordersAnger managementCareer difficultiesCoping with life changes Compassion fatigue ADHD

Additional focus areas

AbandonmentAdoption and foster careAttachment issuesBlended family issuesBody imageCaregiver issues and stressCodependencyCommitment issuesCommunication problemsControl issuesCoping with natural or human-caused disasterDissociationDivorce and separationDrug and alcohol addictionEating and food-related issuesEmptinessFamily of origin issuesFamily problemsFertility issuesForgivenessGender dysphoriaGuilt and shameHoardingInfidelityIsolation / lonelinessJealousyLife purposeMidlife crisisMoney and financial issuesPanic disorder and panic attacksPersonality disordersPhobiasPolyamory / non-monogamous relationshipsPostpartum depressionPost-traumatic stressSeasonal Affective Disorder (SAD)Self-harmSelf-loveSexual assault and abuseSexualitySocial anxiety and phobiaTrichotillomaniaWomen's issuesWorkplace issuesYoung adult issues

Therapeutic approaches

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT)Motivational InterviewingPsychodynamic TherapySolution-Focused TherapySomatic TherapyTrauma-Focused TherapyInternal Family Systems

Experience

10+ years

Licensed

Minnesota

Languages

English