Meet Melanie
Melanie Stafford is a Clinical Mental Health Counseling graduate student at Walden University completing her practicum at Shara Smile. She practices an integrative counseling approach that draws from CBT, DBT, person-centered, narrative, and trauma-informed modalities. Melanie is passionate about supporting clients through trauma recovery, anxiety, depression, identity development, and exploring the intersection of mental health and the criminal justice system. At Shara Smile, Melanie is committed to creating empathetic, culturally sensitive spaces where clients feel seen, supported, and empowered in their healing journey.
Women
Melanie offers compassionate, trauma-informed counseling that meets you where you are—supporting you through anxiety, identity shifts, life transitions, and more, with care that’s culturally sensitive and rooted in real connection.
Teen
Being a teenager isn’t easy—and you don’t have to go through it alone. Melanie creates a safe, supportive space for teens to explore their emotions, build confidence, and develop healthy coping skills to navigate life’s challenges.
Men
Men deserve a space to be seen, heard, and supported—without judgment. Melanie offers a respectful, trauma-informed approach that helps men navigate anxiety, identity, relationships, and life transitions with empathy, clarity, and strength.
Children
Big feelings can be hard for little ones to understand. Melanie incorporates play therapy when working with children, as play is often their primary means of communication. She provides a warm, nurturing space where children can express themselves, feel safe, and learn healthy ways to manage emotions—laying the foundation for lifelong well-being.
Women's Counseling
Single Women
- Widowed
- Divorced
- Single Never Married
- Single and dating
- Infertility
Single Parents
- Co-parenting
- Boundaries with ex
- Healing from loss
- Work/Life/parenting balance
- Dating as a single parent
Marriage Issues
- Healing after affair
- Communication
- Life transition (job loss, aging parents, Divorcing parents, children transitions, empty nest)
Parenting Challenges
- Special Needs
- Hearing impaired
- Behavior challenges
- Educational issues
- Transition to college
Men's Counseling
- Anxiety
- Depression
- Marriage Conflict
- Singleness
- Grief/Loss
- Relationships/Dating
- Parenting Issues
- Work/Life balance
Teen Counseling
- Anxiety
- Depression
- Breakup
- Self-esteem
- Disordered eating, body image issues
- Executive Dysfunction / ADD/ ADHD
- Social Stressors
- Bullying and Cyberbullying
- Parent Stress
- Sibling conflict/ dynamics
- Academic pressures
- Sports and Extra-Curricular expectations
- Communication issues
- Injuries
- Feelings of not fitting in
- Experimentation with alcohol and drugs
- Suicidal ideation
- Sign Language for hard of hearing clients (with use of voice and /or hearing aid)
- Special Education / ASD
- Parent Coaching
Children Counseling
- Anxiety (including separation anxiety, social anxiety, and general worries.)
- Depression and mood changes
- Behavioral challenges at home or school
- Emotional regulation and coping skills
- Self-esteem and confidence building
- Grief and loss (including pet loss or family member death)
- Family changes (such as divorce, blended families, or moving)
- Trauma and abuse recovery (age-appropriate, trauma-informed care)
- Peer relationships and social skills development
- School-related stress, academic pressure, and attention difficulties
