Melinda is a Licensed Social Worker in the state of Ohio. She earned her bachelor’s and master’s degrees in social work from Youngstown State University. Her undergraduate studies also included a minor in psychology, with a focus on behavior and development.

She has worked in a variety of settings serving children and families, as well as adults with co-occurring mental health and substance use disorders. These experiences have shaped her understanding of the complex and interconnected challenges people face.

Melinda approaches treatment from a holistic, person-in-environment perspective, recognizing that challenges are influenced by a range of factors, including personal values, family dynamics, community, culture, and past experiences, all within the broader context of the times we are living in.

Her approach may be solution-focused, helping to build motivation for change while leveraging existing strengths to navigate challenges. At the same time, she recognizes that it is not always easy to define “the problem,” and treatment may instead focus on processing experiences and developing insight within a supportive, nonjudgmental space.

Melinda strives to create an environment where clients feel heard, respected, and understood. She believes that people are doing the best they can with the tools they have, and her goal is to help expand those tools, reduce self-criticism, and support clients in moving forward with greater confidence and clarity.

She is available in both the Poland and Howland Offices.