Melanie Storrusten
LCSWTherapist Details
I am a licensed clinical social worker, and have been providing therapy since 2007. My areas of expertise include working with those struggling with addiction/recovery, LGBTQ clients, folks wrestling with high anxiety and high stress, healing after traumas big and small, recognizing a deep and unrelenting mismatch in their relationship or career, looking to repair and improve relationships with their body as it experiences illness or disability, and anyone looking to reconnect to more meaning and joy in their lives.
My counseling style is very comfortable and laid back. Chances are I'll have my shoes off, and yoga pants are a strong possibility. I like to incorporate mindfulness, yoga, and meditation into my sessions if you're into that kinda thing. Some of my goals are to create a space where you feel free to reconnect to joy, to your body, and eventually to your highest and best self.
You can expect me to help you identify patterns, challenge your thinking when needed, provide some tips and tools for managing your mental health symptoms (anxiety, anyone?), and most of all - to truly see you - to bear witness to your pain in a way that gives you a safe space to heal. And it won't all be tears! There will be plenty of triumphs and reconnections to self and purpose that I cannot wait to celebrate with you!
I love holistic healing, so if you're open to it, we may incorporate some yoga and meditation, or other body-focused therapies into our work. So often, especially for those of us who are very smart, analytical, and driven, our minds can get in the way of connection to our most authentic Self. It can be helpful to connect from the body up - tapping into physical sensations and somatic experiences of emotion and memory. I love using technology in my practice to help folks learn to relax and meditate - google audio-visual entrainment and heartrate variability if that strikes your fancy. I also utilize EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) and Internal Family Systems, if you'd rather stick to more traditional(ish) ways to get to Self and healing. Fear not - you can sit comfortably on the couch for the whole session if that feels better to you.
You are worth this amazing and sometimes difficult work. I'm ready to walk with you.
If after reading this or chatting with me you don't feel like I'm the best fit, I'm happy to refer you to some of my excellent colleagues who might be great for you! Connecting people with "their people" is one of my best things! No matter what, honor whatever it is that led you to take this first step in reaching out for help. That's the small voice of your highest, best Self. You're in there already! Don't stop now.
- I value the courage required to be our authentic selves in every environment, and the peace that comes when we choose to do so.
- I value excellence - both in the high standards for the work I produce, as well as the outcomes I work with our clients to create in their own lives.
- I value myself and others. I believe that amazing things happen when we live from a place of passion. I believe that there is enough for all to experience abundance. I believe that we can go farther, together. I believe in the goodness and worthiness of all people. I believe that we don't have to go broke in order to help others or make art or follow our own individual dreams.
- I value a balance of hard work while practicing non-striving. I believe the hard work required for success does not have to equal high stress.
Contact me to schedule an initial session, or check out my website for more information!
Specialities
- Group Therapy
- Addiction
- Coming Out
- Clinical Supervision
- Trans, GNC, & Non-Binary Affirming Therapy
- Trauma
- Intersectionality: Race, Gender, Sexuality
- Kink/Poly
- Families
- Couples
- Adoption/IVF/Surrogacy
- Anxiety
- Religious Trauma
- Life Transitions
Locations
Align Wellness: 3548 Habersham at Northlake Tucker, GA 30084
Insurance
- Blue Cross Blue Shield
- Humana
- Aetna
- Medicare