Multicultural Therapists in Rockaway, NJ

Melissa South is a compassionate, affirming, and caring counselor dedicated to helping children, teens, couples & families grow and thrive. Melissa specializes in treating a wide range of issues affecting youth and families including: coping skills for stress & anxiety, school challenges, bullying, behavioral issues, mood regulation, trauma--including youth sexual trauma, adoption & foster care, parenting, and more. Additionally, she is an experienced, competent, & inspiring Approved Clinical Supervisor (ACS) for LACs seeking outside clinical supervision to develop their professional identity & grow clinical skills.

Book with me now by clicking on my website. I am a relationship expert specializing in individual and couples therapy. I've helped numerous couples reconnect, build healthy marriages and work through the challenges of divorce and finding love again. At the core of my work is an integrative approach that helps women and men accept themselves more and connect to others in meaningful ways. My experience in private practice and community mental health settings provides individuals experiencing depression, anxiety, trauma and relationship issues with a collaborative approach and multiple clinicians on staff with many specialties.

Stress, anxiety, depression and relationship challenges are some of my specialty areas. For adolescents, the transition from high school to college can be stressful. Most people struggle with a variety of psychological issues/conflicts at some point in their lives - it's human nature. I have the life experiences and professional training to help. I have an objective, honest and straight forward approach. I'm easy to talk to, approachable, and self-disclose when necessary. I will be active and collaborative in our work together. I provide consultation, individual/couple/family psychotherapy from children to adults.

I work with clients of all ages to help them process unhealed trauma and guide them as they build the life they truly want. Practicing from a space of non-judgment and empathy, I recognize that each person is at a different stage of their personal growth and adapt our therapy accordingly. I believe in bodily autonomy and fat liberation and work from a Health At Every Size (HAES) belief system. If you are suffering from low self-esteem, body image issues, and/or eating disorders, we can work together to heal the root causes of these issues and create space for you to learn to love yourself as you are.

Congratulations! You have taken the first steps toward the changes you desire in your life. Finding a therapist is challenging, but finding the right therapist is even harder. YTS may have the therapist you need. The therapists at YTS specialize in evidenced-base approaches to help you manage day to day challenges including but not limited to emotional and behavior health issues that may be the result of a difficult past. Your therapist will help you identify and manage mental health symptoms, relationship issues, unresolved trauma and etc.

Families are a good source of strength but they can also get stuck in unproductive patterns of behavior and interaction which are challenging to change. I help families break these difficult cycles by working with them to identify goals and establish plans and milestones to achieve them. I apply over 25 years of experience as I empower struggling individuals, couples, and families facing marital issues, divorce, anxiety, depression, and children/adolescents with self-destructive behaviors or ADD/ADHD as well as many other mental health issues. I also specialize in working with diagnoses of oppositional defiant and conduct disorders.

Anxious or depressed? Challenges in relationships? Problems with marriage or sex life? Whether you are managing a recent stressor or a long-standing issue, talking with an experienced, empathic psychologist can help you get the support that you need! I specialize in individual and couples/marital therapy, and work with a variety of age groups, from high school students to older adults.

Are you having difficulty adjusting to changes in your life, especially during Covid-19? Are you feeling scared? Isolated? Lonely? Anxious and/or depressed? Overwhelmed? Have everyday problems become magnified? If you answered YES to any of these questions, then now is the time to give me a call. I am here to help. We will work together for positive outcomes.

Therapy offers a safe space for personal growth and healing. If you're feeling overwhelmed, remember that reaching out is the first step towards support and understanding. My approach is centered around your unique journey. With empathy and respect, we navigate challenges together, making your well-being the top priority.

Despite feeling accomplished in their careers, my clients usually experience difficulty asking for help, perfectionism, inability to connect emotionally with loved ones, uncertainty around drinking patterns, irritability, and guilt. I assist men, adult children of alcoholics, couples, and families to develop ways to improve communication, build connection and work through difficult issues in life. If this resonates with you, I can help.