When something needs to change but you feel stuck, I can help.
SPECIALIZED IN WORKING WITH WOMEN AND LGBTQ+ PEOPLE IN MISSOURI AND INTERNATIONALLY.
A nervous system, IFS/parts-informed approach
Change feels possible when you feel safe inside yourself.
You Are in the right place.
You can take a breath. I’m here to help.
Hello, I am Mel, a Licensed Professional Counselor serving clients in St. Louis and throughout Missouri. My full name and professional credentials are Melissa V. Taylor, MA, LPC.
I specialize in working with women and LGBTQ+ individuals who are navigating life transitions, healing from trauma, or longing to feel more grounded, confident, and whole. My approach centers on curiosity, compassion, and the belief that every part of you has a reason for being, even the parts that resist change. Together, we will also pay attention to how your body and nervous system respond to stress or uncertainty, helping you find a steadier sense of safety and balance from within.
I currently offer in-person sessions in Lisbon, as well as online work with clients across Missouri, Portugal, and internationally. You can read more about how my international work is offered on the International Clients page.
My style
I combine acceptance of one’s thoughts & feelings with the goal of changing what is no longer working for a person, so you can intentionally live the life you want to live.
You do not need to have everything figured out before beginning therapy. You may have something specific that you know needs to change, or you may only know that something feels “off” and that some kind of change is needed. It is completely understandable to feel uncertain about what to do or what the future might look like after making a change.
Together, we will explore what is happening beneath the surface. I integrate evidence-based approaches to support your growth.
Internal Family Systems (IFS) – The primary framework guiding my work. I will help you build a compassionate relationship with yourself, including the parts that fear or resist change. With non-judgmental curiosity and care, we will help those parts feel seen, supported, and safe, creating space for healing and growth.
Mindfulness-Based Therapy – Cultivating awareness and presence to stay connected to yourself in the moment.
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) – Gently shifting unhelpful thoughts and emotional habits.
EMDR – Helping process trauma or painful experiences that make change feel unsafe.
Polyvagal Theory – Understanding how the nervous system responds to stress and learning ways to return to a sense of safety and connection.
Feminist Theory – Recognizing cultural and systemic influences while reclaiming empowerment and authenticity.
Specialties
Change does not have to feel forced. It can feel natural when we bring compassion and gentle curiosity to every part of ourselves….
Why I Do This Work
I have always been drawn to the process of transformation, the way people can grow even in the midst of uncertainty or pain. Over the years, I have witnessed how compassion, curiosity, and self-understanding can turn fear into movement and resistance into clarity.
It is deeply meaningful to me to create a space where people feel safe enough to explore their inner world, discover what they want, and reconnect with what brings them peace and joy..
I find grounding and inspiration in nature, meditation, and the practice of getting curious about what is happening internally. This is the same calm I hope to offer you in therapy. My practice is intentionally designed to feel peaceful, accepting, and welcoming.Professional Background
I am a Licensed Professional Counselor in Missouri (license #2018011907), providing online therapy for adult clients throughout the state of Missouri. Although I currently live in Lisbon, Portugal, I maintain my Missouri license so that my clinical work can continue supporting Missouri residents through secure online sessions.
I graduated Magna Cum Laude with a Master’s degree in Clinical Psychology from the University of Houston–Clear Lake. I also hold a Master of Business Administration from Washington University in St. Louis.
My professional path has been diverse and meaningful. During graduate training, I completed a clinical internship at the University of Texas–Harris County Psychiatric Center, providing individual and group therapy and assessment services. I also volunteered at the Houston Area Women’s Center, counseling survivors of domestic and sexual violence. That experience shaped my passion for trauma-informed care and advocacy.
In addition to working in private practice, I have worked as a therapist at a nonprofit agency supporting survivors of domestic violence and have enjoyed serving the LGBTQ+ community. I consider myself a lifelong learner and stay engaged with new training and research to continually strengthen my work.
If you are curious about how therapy can support your next step, I would be happy to talk with you.