Melaina Garrison, LMFT

Clinical Therapist

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I am here to walk alongside you on your journey, not to push from behind or lead from ahead. I take a charitable and nonjudgmental approach, appreciate every individual’s unique worth, and accept every person where they are at in their journey. I believe that all people ultimately want to feel understood, loved, valued, and accepted for who they are.

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Clinical Approach

My clinical approach is primarily based on psychodynamic and attachment theories. Through this analytical approach I aim to discover and understand underlying subconscious motivations, to increase clients' awareness of their inner self and how this may influence their behavior and relationships, and ultimately to help my clients resolve undesirable patterns and create deep-seated change in their lives. I am happy to incorporate a Christian perspective into therapy upon request, but I am also able to work from a secular, clinically-neutral perspective as well.

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Education & Training

I attained a Masters degree in Clinical Psychology from Azusa Pacific University in southern California in 2013. I previously received a Bachelors degree from Mount Saint Joseph University in Cincinnati, Ohio.
I have worked several years in community mental health with at-risk populations in urban Los Angeles and rural Kentucky. Currently, I now work in a private practice setting in northern Virginia.

 

Since 2013, I have become increasingly intrigued with how diet and consumption can affect the brain, I completed a certificate program in Nutritional Psychology, and I am a Certified Nutritional Consultant. I continue to research how genetic predispositions and nutritional deficiencies can lead to negative mental health symptoms and unwanted subconscious behaviors, dedicating much time to expanding my knowledge in this emerging field through additional training and ongoing research.

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More About Me 

I am from the Midwest, but I have lived on both East and West coasts, and temporarily in two other countries. I have a Bachelors degree in graphic design and worked in international marketing for several years before switching career paths and entering into the field of psychology guided by a desire to help others. Some of the things that I enjoy are sports and being active, the outdoors, traveling, discovering new places and meeting new people. I look at life as an exciting adventure made better by positive relationships and helping others along the way. I have been extremely blessed in a loving and adventurous marriage to a kindhearted and charitable man. We recently welcomed a very happy, chubby, little boy into the world.

 

I also have a sweet goldendoodle named Basil. Basil is a very sweet and mild-mannered, hypoallergenic dog that has graduated from therapy dog training. She often joins me in the office, but please feel free to let me know if you would not like her to be present during your sessions. Please see her bio below.

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Basil

Therapy Dog

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Clinical Approach

I am here to sit alongside you at your feet throughout your journey, to gently nudge my head into your lap... in the event that you would like to pet me. I would like humans to think that I am really just there to console them, but in all actuality, I really like the individual attention. I, too, take a very nonjudgmental approach, and I appreciate every pet or treat that is given to me. I believe that all humans ultimately come to the therapy room to see me, want me to nuzzle their head, let me give them hugs, and lick any hand (or toes) that I can find. 

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Education & Training

I have undergone a pretty extensive dog training program to prepare me to be in the therapy room with humans. I don't have a mean bone in my body and am completely fine with humans tugging on my ears and tail. Sometimes I am a little shy at first, but I warm up pretty quickly, especially with little humans. And then, once I am comfortable, I might get really excited when you come back, and I chase my tail... that is when you know that I am really happy and excited to see you. 

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More About Me 

I am 5 years old in human years, but I like to think of myself in terms of doggo years which puts me at a mature 30-something years of age. I am not exactly sure... I am not good at math and don't have fingers and toes to count on. I am a goldendoodle which means that I try to not make humans sneeze (although I tend to sneeze when I am excited). I love long walks, hiking in the woods, climbing big rocks, jumping to catch water sprayed from a hose, meeting other doggos, and I especially love going crazy playing in the snow. Oooo.... and frisbees... I love fetching a good frisbee. Other than that, I can get a little nervous with new experiences or riding in the car, but I try to overcome my fears and not let my fears control me.

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