Eva "Melissa" Gadd, LMSW

Eva "Melissa" Gadd is a licensed master social worker who helps people manage stress, anxiety, grief, depression, and major life changes. She presents as warm and straightforward and aims to build a practical partnership with each person. Melissa draws on years of experience to help people use their strengths and move toward clearer goals.

Melissa earned her Master of Social Work from the University of Michigan and has worked for over 25 years in medical social work and therapy settings. She has supported people through illness, caregiving transitions, parenting shifts, job changes, and relationship upheaval. Her background includes helping with mood disorders, panic, trauma, and issues like chronic pain or caregiver stress.

In sessions she blends approaches to fit each person. She uses client-centered methods to focus on what matters most to the individual. She also uses cognitive behavioral techniques to identify unhelpful thinking patterns and motivational interviewing to build momentum for change.

Melissa often frames concerns within a Person in Environment view, looking at how life circumstances affect feelings and behavior. That perspective helps identify practical steps and supports that link to daily life. She emphasizes clear goals, gentle accountability, and using personal strengths.

People who work with Melissa can expect straightforward conversation, practical tools, and steady support through transitions. She welcomes people coping with chronic illness, caregiving burdens, aging concerns, and the emotional ripple effects of major life events.

How Melissa’s approaches translate to online therapy

Melissa commonly uses client-centered work and cognitive behavioral techniques in sessions. Client-centered therapy means the conversation centers on the client’s agenda, with the therapist listening, reflecting, and helping the person name priorities and choices. Cognitive behavioral work focuses on identifying thoughts and behaviors that get in the way and practicing new ways of responding to everyday situations.

She also uses elements of emotionally-focused work to help people clarify feelings in close relationships and motivational interviewing to build readiness for change. Each approach offers tools for handling grief, anxiety, chronic health challenges, and life transitions, and they can be combined to match what a person needs.

Finding the right approach is part of beginning work together. Melissa will collaborate with each person to decide which methods fit their goals, preferences, and current situation. That process may include trying an approach for a few sessions and adjusting based on what helps.

The biography does not list specific session formats, so confirm the available options before booking. Online therapy can make it easier to fit sessions into a busy life, reduce travel time, allow shorter check-ins when needed, and let people work in a setting that suits them. Talk with Melissa during the matching process about scheduling, pacing, and the format that will work best for everyday routines.