Melissa Hurt , LICSW

Melissa Hurt is a Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker (LICSW) based in Minnesota. She brings a social work background to therapy and pays attention to how systems and culture shape day-to-day life. Melissa aims to help people find more peace, stability, and joy as they work through what matters to them.

She earned a master's degree in social work with a macro focus and later pursued her clinical license. That training shapes how she notices community, family stories, and broader systems when talking with clients. These factors often show up in the problems people bring to sessions.

Melissa has several years of experience in disability services supporting teams of social workers. That work keeps her connected to practical challenges people face on a daily basis and to the professionals who support them. She describes her style as compassionate and strengths-focused, and she looks for creative alternatives when problems feel stuck.

She also has experience with young college professionals and with the military community, informed by time as a military spouse. Melissa speaks from personal and professional experience about long-term partnerships and parenting across the years. She prefers straightforward, honest conversations and encourages clients to notice what helps them grow.

In sessions she draws on approaches like Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, Emotionally-Focused Therapy, and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy alongside mindfulness practices. The focus is on practical steps and learning what works for each person. Melissa aims to be a clear, encouraging presence while people navigate change and build healthier patterns.

Evidence-Informed Approaches for Online Work

Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) helps people clarify their values and take small steps toward the life they want, even when difficult thoughts or feelings appear. It often helps with anxiety, stress, and coping with life changes. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) focuses on noticing unhelpful thought and behavior patterns and trying practical experiments to change them; it is useful for anxiety, depression, and anger. Emotionally-Focused Therapy (EFT) centers on understanding emotions in relationships and improving connection and communication when intimacy or relationship issues are a concern.

Finding the right approach is collaborative. Melissa will talk with each person about their goals, preferences, and what has or hasn’t worked before. Together they decide which methods to try and adjust the plan as progress unfolds.

Online sessions are offered by video, phone, live chat, or text-based messaging to increase flexibility. Video calls are close to an in-person session and allow visual cues. Phone sessions can fit into a short break or be easier when bandwidth is limited. Live chat and text messaging work well for brief check-ins, coaching-style support, or when someone prefers not to use audio or video. These options let people match scheduling and communication style to their day-to-day life.