Melissa Collins, LPC-S

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 WORK EXPERIENCE 

•  Counseling children, adolescents and adults who are survivors of crimes including sexual assault, trafficking, domestic violence, severe car accidents, homicide of a loved one, home invasion, being held at gunpoint, and drug use. 
• We provide Custody evaluations, Family reunification counseling and supervise visitation sessions for people who have cases with CPS.
•  A wide range of statewide mediation services. Areas of special interest include family, child custody, divorce, elder care, employee grievances, and general civil litigation settlements.   
• Psychological Evaluations for court and for immigration 601-A (Hardship waivers), N-648s, VAWAs, U-visas and Asylum letters.
• Hypnosis for weight loss, body image disorders, quit smoking, addictions, phobias, developing positive habits and eliminating negative habits.

•  Counseling Children and families who have been victims of crimes   including sexual assault, trafficking, domestic violence, severe car accidents, survivors of homicides (parents whose children have been killed or children whose parents have been killed), and drug use. 
•  EMDR and TBT  therapy for PTSD, trauma, anxiety, and some phobias

• Worked with the ECI Program assessing disabilities for 0-3 yr olds 
• Providing Specialized services including Physical Therapy, Speech Therapy, and Occupational Therapy for 0-3 yr olds 
• Was initially hired to provide counseling for Mentally Challenged population ages 4-Adult. 
• Family Counseling  

Counseling Institute of Texas

•  Counseling Children, Adolescents, and Adults with various mental health issues and including: depression, bipolar disorder; sexual abuse; physical abuse; domestic violence; trauma; relationship issues; and behavioral problems. 
• Play Therapy

• Provide play therapy with children between 3 - 12 yrs old and offered parental guidance 
• Parenting classes and Child-Parent relational training 
• Family Counseling 

• Provided counseling for clients dealing with significant emotional issues related to workman’s comp including pain management, chronic pain, and stress management 

• Headed the Intensive Outpatient Program and provided counseling for adults and adolescents with mental health issues and substance abuse problems including: sexual abuse; physical abuse; depression; anxiety self-injurious behaviors; body dysmorphic disorders; and eating disorders. 
• Play therapy 
• Headed the Anger Management Program
• Family Counseling

•  Counseled clients with a myriad of mental health issues including depression; anxiety; sexual abuse; physical abuse; addiction; self-injurious behaviors; body dysmorphic disorder; eating disorders; divorce and family issues; and behavior issues.
• Play Therapy
• Co-facilitated the Anger Management group

•  Provided counseling for women with substance abuse diagnosis and their children
• Counseled secondary issues including sexual abuse; domestic violence issues; and mental health diagnosis
• Headed a prevention and tutoring program for children 4 – 18 yrs of age and provided parental guidance
• Headed the housing program for the Supportive Outpatient Program

• Individual and group counseling for adolescents and children in a residential setting and provided parental guidance
• Counseled clients on addiction; depression; anxiety; self-injurious behavior; depression; anxiety; eating disorders; bipolar disorders; schizophrenia; sexual abuse; physical abuse; and behavior disorders.

•  Worked wiith Juvenile Probationers regarding substance abuse issues and provided parental guidance
• Presentations as assigned

• Counseling dual diagnosis patients with mental and emotional health issues and substance abuse problems including: depression; bipolar disorder; dissociative identity disorder; schizophrenia; general anxiety disorders; body dysmorphic disorder; and suicide risks.
• Facilitating and co-facilitating groups on stress management, anger management, addiction, mental health issues, and communication skills

•  LPC-S designation beginning in Feb 2007 by The Texas Board of Examiners and Professional Counselors
• University of Houston, MEd in Counseling Dec. 2005
• Our Lady of the Lake University, BA in Human Science 2003
• Licensed Chemical Dependency Counselor since Jan 2000

• Dallas County Sexual Assault Coalition ( Board of Directors 2010-2011)
• Crime Victims Council of Dallas  (current)
• DIVAS (Divorced Independent Very Able Survivors)  
• Single Parent Advocate
• SWWLS (Society of Women Who Love Shoes) (current)
• Houston Zoo – Docent  November 1997 – June 1998
• BVCASA – Crisis Hotline Volunteer  October 1994 – August 1997
• Brazos County Rape Crisis Center – Counselor/Hotline  April 1992 – Volunteer of the Year