Meet Melanie Harrison

  • Cereal is nature’s most perfect food. You can eat it for breakfast, lunch, dinner, snacks (and I do).

  • I know it’s not a good idea, but I play games on my ipad, in bed, right before I go to sleep.

  • I love all things coffee and drink it ANY time of day. Some might say it’s magic, but I think it my ADHD. ;)

  • I have been interested in Astrology and Tarot cards since I was a teenager.

  • I love nature on my terms- a screened in porch to protect me from the sun, the mosquitos, and protect my food from the hornets. 

  • "Initially I came to Melanie because I was processing a 'pile-up' of loss. Over time, though, we ended up processing some unaddressed trauma and identity-related issues that ultimately brought a lot of peace. I appreciated the way Melanie could listen to quite a long spiel from me--and then go back to one small thing I'd said, and bring focus back to the areas I really needed to address. In particular, that those things I'd glossed over actually mattered, and were worth acknowledging, was validating."

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  • "I've been working with Melanie for nearly a year and, in that time, we have been able to do tremendous work together. In this last year, I have had many personal trials to face and Melanie has helped me every step of the way. Whether it is a current event wearing me down or a deep, psychological wound from the past, she always meets me with kindness, compassion, and understanding. Melanie provides everything you could ask for in a therapist. She has only been validating, attentive, thoughtful, and professional during our time together. She is an advocate for me so I can learn to be my own pillar of strength. I am so thankful for finding Melanie and for the opportunity of being able to work with her."

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  • "It has been incredibly refreshing to have Melanie as my therapist; she is attentive, kind, and always respectful (as an added bonus, she has two of the cutest cats I've ever seen). What I appreciate most is that she makes you an active participant in your mental health journey. She always checks in to ensure I'm actively listening, and asks for my opinion on various goals/plans. I feel I've been making great progress during my sessions and time with Melanie."

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I just love what I do. 

I know it can feel hard to find a therapist that feels like the right fit for you.

Therapy is an act of courage.

You start by talking to a stranger about things you may have never spoken about. I”ve been a

therapy client too, and I know how scary and uncomfortable that kind of vulnerability can feel.

“Will this be worth it? Will it help me?”

Yes, you are taking a risk, and it is one that will be worth doing.

I bring a huge amount of calm, compassion, validation and understanding to our therapy sessions. When you’re feeling stuck, it can be difficult to see there is a way out of the mental muck. I am very good at noticing things said and unsaid that are relevant and bringing them to your awareness. Working together, you can create a path towards a more balanced life with purpose, meaning and connection in it.

There is a path forward. Let me help you find it. 

I am “in it” with you. I am right here with you listening and putting 100% into working together.

I am warm, friendly and real and ready to help you through whatever is important to you. I won’t BS you or spout toxic

positivity or trite platitudes. You can buy décor at a dollar store if you want that.

I will let you know the road ahead might be full of challenges. I will guide you, believe in you, encourage you, and provide tools so you can have more confidence navigating the challenges life throws at you.

Release the perfectionist.

I will use humor to gently remind you to release the perfectionist tendencies, and "give yourself a break.” Your worth as a human is not measured by your home, financial portfolio, Alma Mater, or ‘likes’. Your therapy experience isn’t going to be perfect and you don’t have to be perfect at therapy. And progress and change will STILL happen. 

All you need to do right now is reach out, show up and be yourself (even if you’re not sure what that means yet!).

My Qualifications

  • LICSW since 2008 with the MN Board of Social Work.

  • Master of Social Work from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign and a B.A. in Sociology and Women’s Studies. 1997, 2001

  • Meets MNBSW requirements to provide clinical supervision to LGSW and LPC trainees.

  • Completed Level 1 training for Dialectical Behavioral Therapy through Behavior Tech.

  • For the past five years I have taught DBT skills to groups in Partial Hospital Programs, Adult Day Treatment and Intensive Outpatient Programs.

  • Meets MNBSW requirements to provide clinical supervision to LGSW and LPC trainees.

  • In the fall of 2022 I began my quest to become a Diplomate Jungian Analyst.

Professional Endorsements

  • "Melanie's shining strength is her authenticity. She uses self-disclosure thoughtfully and with compassion, and the result is that she reminds people of their common humanity. She has the technical knowledge and years of experience as a strong foundation underneath. Her clinical experience includes both group and individual treatment settings, which gives her a unique and helpful perspective on how people heal."

    Sonia

“There is an expression in feminism ‘the personal is the political’ and that is how I view my work as a therapist— ‘the personal is my profession’. I create meaning and purpose out of my life’s challenges by learning and growing from them and I can help you do this too.”

- Melanie Harrison