Melissa Charfadi, LPC, NCC
Meet Melissa
Hello! I'm so glad you're here. Taking the first step to find a therapist who truly understands your journey can be challenging, and I deeply respect your courage in seeking support. I'm a queer therapist dedicated to creating a supportive and affirming space where you can feel seen, validated, and empowered.
My career has been shaped by a passion for community mental health. I've had the privilege of working with a wonderfully diverse range of individuals, developing and managing programs that prioritize individual well-being. This experience has given me extensive expertise in helping people navigate anxiety, depression, sexual identity issues, life transitions, burnout, stress management, personality and mood disorders, psychosis, and trauma histories. I also have a strong background in research related to psychosis and extensive experience working with acute populations. I want you to know that I'm comfortable and experienced in addressing what some might consider "harder" or more complex issues.
A Glimpse into My Life
Outside of my practice, I live in South Jersey with my wife of eight years and our child. We're actively involved in both the South Jersey and Philadelphia communities. I truly enjoy being surrounded by friends and family, especially my chosen family. When I'm not working, you'll often find me out and about! I love playing tabletop board games and RPGs, exploring new foods and places (even if it's just a few hours away), and spending time with my two dogs. I also enjoy crafting in my free time.
I look forward to the possibility of connecting with you and supporting you on your path toward wellness.
My Approach to Therapy
I believe that therapy is not a "one-size-fits-all" endeavor. Instead, I use a client-centered, strength-based approach, combining various therapeutic techniques to meet your unique needs. Our work together will begin by building a strong therapeutic relationship, creating a foundation of trust and safety for your growth. My approach incorporates modalities such as somatic therapy, solution-focused therapy, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), and Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT). I don't believe you need to change who you are; rather, my goal is to help you make the coping skills you've developed throughout your life work effectively for you again. As a child of immigrants, I also understand the profound importance of incorporating your cultural background into our sessions, honoring your unique identity and experiences. I like to remind people I'm a human, and I think laughter and humor are so important in our journey together.
I am actively involved in community and advocacy, and I've dedicated my life to ensuring that everyone feels validated and affirmed in their existence. I am currently the sitting co-chair of the board for a local non-profit that works with Queer-led families. I created Radiant Transformations to serve an often underserved community. While many providers are LGBTQIA+ affirming, I've found that many individuals prefer a therapist who identifies within the community and has had some shared experiences. I hope to provide that safe space and assist people in the community in being their most authentically beaming self. My current focus areas include supporting QTPOC (Queer, Trans, Black, Indigenous, People of Color) individuals, working with Borderline Personality Disorder, and addressing anxiety disorders and attachment work. I am also a proud WPATH member and have successfully written many letters of support for gender-affirming surgeries.