Melissa Maaske , LICSW

Melissa Maaske is a Minnesota-licensed therapist and a Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker (LICSW), a professional credential that indicates advanced training and state authorization to provide clinical social work services. With ten years of experience, she focuses on helping people manage stress and anxiety, navigate relationship challenges, address trauma, and strengthen self-esteem.

She approaches care with respect and compassion, creating a space where difficult feelings and decisions can be explored without judgment. Melissa emphasizes practical strategies alongside deeper reflection, helping clients build skills for everyday coping while also addressing underlying patterns that contribute to distress.

Recognizing that reaching out for help can feel intimidating, she meets that courage with steady support and collaborative treatment planning. Her goal is to help people develop clearer choices, healthier connections, and a more satisfying relationship with themselves and others.

Evidence-Based Approaches and Online Sessions

Melissa Maaske uses Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), along with Motivational Interviewing, to address a range of concerns. CBT focuses on identifying and changing unhelpful thoughts and behaviors, which can be useful for anxiety, depression, and stress. DBT emphasizes skills for managing intense emotions, improving interpersonal effectiveness, and tolerating distress, which can help with relationship difficulties and trauma reactions. Motivational Interviewing helps people clarify their goals and build motivation for change, often used for habits, addiction-related issues, or ambivalence about making life adjustments.

Finding the right fit is part of the therapeutic process. Melissa works collaboratively with clients to tailor approaches based on their needs, goals, and preferences, and adjusts methods over time as progress unfolds.

Online therapy offers practical flexibility - sessions can occur by video call, phone, live chat, or text-based messaging to accommodate different schedules and comfort levels. These options make it easier to access licensed professionals and maintain continuity of care while balancing work, family, and other responsibilities.