Empathia Therapy
Melissa Braga, LICSW - Remote Telehealth Therapist Serving Massachusetts
The mind can go in a thousand directions,
but on this beautiful path, I walk in peace.
With each step, a gentle wind blows.
With each step, a flower blooms.
-Thich Nhat Hanh
Individual Therapy
Melissa treats issues such as anxiety, stress, depression, trauma, life transitions, self-esteem, couples dynamics, perinatal issues, and parenting concerns. She integrates talk therapy with evidence-based modalities such as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Solution-Focused Therapy, and Mindfulness.
Clinical Supervision
Supervision is available for MSW students and clinicians working toward their LCSW or LICSW. Melissa is experienced in supervising Bachelors-level interns, Masters-level interns, and pre-licensed clinical staff.
Consulting & Assessments
Melissa has experience creating and presenting clinical trainings for youth services staff on a variety of topics such as behavior management techniques, crisis intervention, de-escalation techniques, healthy boundaries, self-care, and trauma-informed care. She has also received training in Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion. Melissa is happy to collaborate with agencies, businesses, or schools for clinical consulting, training, or assessments.
Hi, I'm Melissa!
I’m a clinical social worker who’s all about creating a warm and safe environment for you to feel seen, heard, and supported. With an empathetic approach, I’m here to help you explore your thoughts and emotions, and together we’ll set goals to achieve the changes you’re looking for.
I enjoy assisting clients with a variety of challenges from anxiety and stress, to life transitions, self-esteem issues, parenting concerns, relationship issues and more. My holistic approach blends talk therapy with evidence-based techniques, empowering clients to develop practical coping strategies, boost self-awareness, and overcome obstacles for a more fulfilling life.
Outside of work, I share my life with my husband, two kids, and two cats. In my downtime, you’ll find me taking walks in the woods, watching documentaries, listening to true crime podcasts, and enthusiastically cheering on my kids at their various events. Can’t wait to connect with you!
Benefits of therapy
Therapy offers a range of benefits for individuals and couples facing various challenges such as:
- Emotional support – Therapy provides a safe and confidential space to express your thoughts and emotions, helping you to feel heard and less alone.
- Self-exploration and insight – Therapy encourages self-reflection, helping individuals gain a deeper understanding of themselves, leading to personal growth and positive change.
- Coping strategies – Learn to manage stress, anxiety and depression using strategies such as mindfulness and relaxation techniques.
- Improved communication skills – Develop healthier ways of expressing thoughts and feelings to improve interpersonal and professional relationships.
- Support for life transitions – During significant life changes such as career shifts, relationship changes, and family changes, therapy provides a supportive environment for individuals to navigate transitions effectively.
- Behavioral change – Therapy can help people identify and change the ineffective behavioral patterns that are holding you back.
- Building healthy relationship skills – Therapy provides a structured environment for people to explore and discuss their relationship dynamics. This exploration can lead to better communication, healthy conflict resolution, and a better understanding of each other’s perspectives, values, and goals.
Modalities
- Cognitive Behavioral Therapy – helps individuals identify and change negative thought patterns and behaviors to promote healthier emotional and mental well-being.
- Solution Focused – concentrates on identifying and amplifying clients’ strengths and resources to facilitate rapid problem resolution and achieve positive outcomes.
- Mindfulness – involves cultivating a heightened awareness and non-judgmental attention to one’s present moment experience. It provides individuals with practical tools to navigate various challenges and fosters a holistic approach to well-being.
- Acceptance and Committment Therapy – encourages people to embrace their thoughts and feelings rather than fighting or feeling guilty for them. ACT develops psychological flexibility and is a form of behavioral therapy that combines mindfulness skills with the practice of self-acceptance.
- Dialectical Behavior Therapy – helps individuals with intense emotional dysregulation. It integrates cognitive-behavioral techniques with concepts of acceptance and mindfulness, emphasizing the dialectical balance between acceptance and change. DBT targets development in four key areas: mindfulness, interpersonal effectiveness, emotion regulation, and distress tolerance.
- Narrative Therapy – focuses on helping individuals reframe and reconstruct their life stories, emphasizing the role of language and narrative in shaping personal identity and meaning.
Appointments for virtual telehealth appointments are available 9am – 1pm, Monday through Friday. Melissa does not have evening or weekend availability at this time.
In network insurances include Optum, United Healthcare, Aetna, and Cigna. If you have insurance other than the ones listed, Melissa is able to provide you with a “superbill” that you can submit to your insurance company for possible reimbursement. Please be aware that reimbursement is not guaranteed and that you will need to reach out to your insurance carrier directly to confirm benefits. You may also pay out of pocket for services.
For those paying for therapy out of pocket, you have the right to receive a “Good Faith Estimate” explaining how much your care will cost. Under the law, health care providers need to give patients who don’t have insurance or who are not using insurance an estimate of the bill for medical items and services.
Private Pay Rates:
Initial intake: $160 for 60 minutes
Individual therapy: $125 for 50 minutes
Couples therapy: $150 for 50 minutes
Clinical Supervision: $125 per supervision hour
Consulting, Training, and Assessments: $125 per hour
Major credit cards are accepted and easy auto pay can be set up through Alma.
Insurance and Pricing
Contact MeLissa
Please send me a message and I will get back to you as soon as possible. If you wish, please also include your reason for reaching out (concerns and/or goals), any insurance information, and your availability for virtual appointments.