Melissa Kaplan, Mental Health Counselor in Beverly, 01915

Melissa J. Kaplan LMHC

Profession(s):
Mental Health Counseling, Psychotherapy, Counseling
License Status:
I'm a licensed professional.
Primary License:
LMHC - 7400

My Approach to Helping

Therapy is a unique tool of personal development. Within the walls of my office, you have the opportunity to set your own agenda, define your own work and effect changes in your life that suit your needs and desires. The therapeutic relationship is one that is free of judgment, expectation, and pressures of day to day life. Through psychotherapy a person can move from a place of struggle and "stuckness" to a place of freedom and authenticity.

More Info About My Practice

I am on several major insurance panels. Because of the complexity of the modern health insurance system, the best way to find out if I can bill your insurance is to contact me directly. I also offer a sliding scale for clients with limited financial resources who choose to pay for their own therapy.

What I Love about Being a Psychotherapist

I honestly can't imagine a better job for myself! Every day at work I get to interact with amazing people who bring a wide variety of experiences to the table. Being a therapist has allowed me to explore the world through my client's eyes. I get to hear their stories, laugh with them, cry with them and watch them become more confident in themselves. Often I leave my sessions feeling that I have learned just as much if not more than my clients. I am privileged to be in this position.

Why Going to Therapy Does Not Mean You are Weak or Flawed

It is totally understandable to me that a person considering therapy may feel that this makes them in some way weak or flawed. As a society we place a very high value on being independent and solving problems by ourselves, sometimes to the point of pathlogizing people who need assistance to manage their lives. However, I don't feel this treatment of help seeking is fair because the reality is, we all seek help from others when life becomes challenging and psychotherapy is just another way of getting that need met. Psychotherapy is also a powerful facilitator for personal growth and achieving self-actualization. No one should ever be made to feel weak for wanting to be fully satisfied with themselves and their life Whenever I hear people talking about how people who go to therapy are "crazy" I try to educate them as best as I can on the reality of the therapeutic experience. When people come to be describing their own behaviors as "crazy" or "not making sense" I help them see how these behaviors actually represent their own attempts to make sense of the world and are thus a sign of their personal strength.

Services I Provide

Individual Therapy & Counseling
Family Therapy
Coaching
Online Counseling / Phone Therapy
Home-Based Therapy

Ages I Work With

Teens
Adults
Elders

Languages I Speak

English

Groups I Work With

Survivors of multiple trauma, Transgender, Genderqueer, GLBT teens and adults, Adolescent women, People with physical disabilities, people with chronic medical issues, people diagnosed with personality disorders