Therapist profile
Melissa Geiger-Dugandzic, LISW
Ohio
LISW in Ohio - anxiety and addictions
Continue with MelissaWhere Melissa stands
- Credentials
- LISW
- License
- LISW, Ohio / I.2304951-SUPV
- NPI
- 1427513423
- Experience
- 8 years
- Languages
- English
- Location
- Ohio
About
- stress and anxiety
- addictions support
- trauma-focused work
About Melissa
Melissa Geiger-Dugandzic is an Ohio Licensed Independent Social Worker (LISW) with eight years of experience. She works with adults on stress, anxiety, addictions, trauma and abuse, low self-esteem and depression. She also supports people dealing with grief, anger, bipolar mood challenges, and concerns related to LGBT identity.
Her background includes work with first responders and veterans, and with adults coping with gambling and drug or alcohol problems. She uses straightforward conversation to identify what is causing distress and what patterns are getting in the way of daily life. Sessions focus on practical steps rather than abstract theory.
Melissa draws on several well-known approaches to support change. She uses client-centered techniques to prioritize the person in the room, cognitive behavioral methods to spot unhelpful thoughts and behaviors, and elements of DBT when emotion regulation and intense reactions are present. She also incorporates EMDR and mindfulness when trauma or strong memories are part of the problem.
People who struggle with people-pleasing, control issues, dissociation, shame, isolation, or codependency patterns will find clear, goal-oriented work here. The therapist pays attention to how addiction and mood issues affect relationships and daily functioning. Conversations are practical and action-focused, with tools to try between sessions.
To begin, Melissa asks people to describe what is most troubling and what they want to be different. From there she helps set short-term goals and a plan for sessions that fits the person's life and capacities.
How sessions work
How Melissa uses different approaches in online sessions
Client-Centered Therapy focuses on listening and following the person's concerns. The therapist reflects what the client says and helps clarify goals and priorities. This approach is useful when people need space to sort through feelings and decide what matters most.Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) looks at how thoughts, feelings, and actions interact. It breaks problems into manageable steps and gives clear homework to test new ways of thinking. CBT helps with anxiety, low mood, and many everyday patterns that keep people stuck.
Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) teaches concrete skills for managing intense emotions and impulsive behaviors. It includes practices for regulating emotion, tolerating distress, and improving interpersonal effectiveness. These skills are practical tools for people dealing with strong reactions or self-destructive patterns.
Choosing the right approach is part of the work. The therapist and client will talk about needs, goals, and preferences and try methods that fit those priorities. This is a collaborative process and can change as issues shift.
The biography does not list specific online session formats, so confirm which options are offered before booking. Online work can make it easier to fit sessions into a busy week, allow shorter check-ins when needed, and reduce travel time. Therapists and licensed professionals can adapt CBT, DBT, or client-centered exercises to remote sessions so the work continues even when meeting from different locations.
Areas of focus
Areas of expertise
Additional focus areas
Therapeutic approaches
Experience
8+ years
Listed in
Ohio
Languages
English
Questions
Frequently asked questions
What kinds of concerns does she work with?
She works with stress, anxiety, addictions, trauma and abuse, low self-esteem, depression, grief, anger, bipolar-related mood issues, and concerns tied to LGBT identity. Codependency and control issues are also part of her focus.
What is her approach in sessions?
She uses a mix of client-centered conversation, cognitive behavioral techniques, DBT skills, EMDR, and mindfulness depending on the problem. Sessions tend to emphasize practical tools and steps to try between meetings.
How long has she been practicing?
Melissa has eight years of professional experience working in behavioral health and related settings.
What are her credentials and where is she based?
She holds the LISW credential, which stands for Licensed Independent Social Worker, and practices in Ohio.
Does she offer sessions in other languages or to international clients?
Sessions are offered in English. She is not accepting international clients at this time.
What session formats are available?
The original biography does not list specific session formats. Please confirm current session options before booking.
How are fees handled?
Cost varies with location and sessions use a subscription that can be canceled at any time.
How do I get started?
Select the See online therapy options button, complete the short matching questionnaire, and schedule a first session to begin.
Details come from information the therapist supplied to BetterHelp. A license can be checked with the state board.
Online talk therapy is not emergency care. If you are not safe at home, use the crisis and helpline numbers.