Melissa Rideout, Ph.D.
Melissa believes a trusting relationship with a client is the foundation for effective therapy and, thus, works to create a non-judgmental space in which clients feel heard and validated.
Melissa enjoys working with emerging adults and adults. She has over a decade of experience working with individuals in areas such as managing stress, anxiety, and depression, navigating life transitions, and interpersonal relationships.
Background & Qualifications
Melissa’s approach to counseling is relational and holistic. She believes that forming a trusting relationship with a client is the foundation for effective therapy and, thus, works to create a non-judgmental space in which clients feel heard and validated. Melissa views emotional, mental, social, and physical health as interconnected and supports clients in adopting healthy lifestyle habits (i.e., regular sleep, stress management, connecting with others, balanced eating, physical activity, etc.) known to improve overall health and wellness.
Melissa is collaborative and intentionally integrative in her work with clients, drawing from strengths-based, solution-focused, and cognitive-behavioral perspectives and strategies. She actively explores her clients’ reasons for seeking counseling and collaborates with them to identify goals, develop a plan, and problem-solve any potential barriers that might impact their personal growth and development. Melissa views each client with whom she works as the expert in their own life who possesses many strengths and resources to address concerns they are currently facing. Melissa guides her clients in exploring the ways in which they view and understand themselves, their experiences, and interactions with others so they may broaden their awareness and identify the things they can do in support of their overall health and wellness.
Melissa has over a decade working with emerging adults and adults in both large public and small private liberal arts institutions of higher education. She enjoys working with individuals who are looking to explore life transitions, ways to manage anxiety and depression, ways to make sustainable lifestyle changes aimed at overall health and wellness, and relationship issues. Melissa completed her BA at the University of New Hampshire (UNH). She earned her Master’s and PhD in Clinical Psychology at Suffolk University. She returned to NH to complete both her pre-doctoral internship and post-doctoral fellowship at the UNH Counseling Center. Melissa is also an American Council on Exercise (ACE) Certified Personal Trainer. When not working with clients, Melissa can be found running, enjoying time with family and friends, and walking her dog.
