Melissa Schymberg Nixon

Anxiety

Anxiety can be an important signal that something in our lives needs attention or change. I help clients understand why they are experiencing anxiety and what they can do to reduce it. An outside perspective can help you identify what may be contributing to your anxiety and decide how best to respond. Sometimes that means reducing or changing unnecessary sources of stress; other times, it means finding the confidence and skills to face anxiety-provoking situations rather than avoid them.

Depression

Depression can develop for many different reasons, and it is normal to have periods of feeling down. When those feelings become too intense or long-lasting, it can be important to understand what may be contributing to them. For some people, depression comes and goes throughout life; for others, it can seem to appear out of the blue. Usually, we can identify concrete strategies to help you feel better day to day, while also exploring bigger issues that may lead to longer-term improvement.

Relationship / Marriage Issues

Disagreements and conflict can be very challenging. Some people struggle to find a balance between staying quiet to avoid “rocking the boat” and becoming so frustrated that they say more than they intended. Others are dealing with relationships strained or divided by political or cultural differences. Therapy may involve practicing communication skills, perspective-taking, and anxiety reduction, or finding ways to cope with and grieve the loss of an important relationship.

Parenting

Becoming a parent is a major life transition, full of wonderful and difficult moments. It can be hard to feel like a “good enough” parent and find the right balance between connection and providing structure, boundaries, and leadership. With so much conflicting parenting advice, I help parents sort through what matters most to their family, identify difficult patterns, and find practical ways to handle challenging moments in ways that better reflect their goals.

Men's Issues

Life can be challenging in different ways for different people. Men haven’t always felt welcome or comfortable seeking therapy, but sometimes it helps to have an outside perspective. I have worked with many men sorting through stress related to work, relationships, family, personal goals, and confidence. Therapy can be a place to think things through, better understand yourself and others, and decide what you want to change or work toward.