About Me
Hi, I’m Melissa Casstevens, and I’m so glad you’re here!
I founded Mountain Ridge Counseling with one simple belief, that everyone deserves a space where they can simply be, without judgment, pressure, or the need to shrink themselves to fit in.
I’m especially drawn to working with people who have felt different for most of their lives, the ones who’ve been told they’re too much, too sensitive, too difficult, or just too weird. Maybe you’ve learned to take up less space, to quiet parts of yourself so others feel comfortable, or to hide the pieces of you that never seemed to belong. In this space, you don’t have to do that anymore. You’re allowed to take up space here. Every part of you is welcome.
As a neurodivergent-affirming therapist, I value and celebrate the many ways our brains and bodies experience the world. I believe there’s no single “right” way to feel, think, or connect, only your way, and that’s enough.
I’m a Licensed Clinical Mental Health Counselor in North Carolina, and more than that, I’m someone who believes healing begins when we are truly seen and accepted. My role isn’t to fix you. It’s to walk beside you as you rediscover your worth, your story, and your sense of self.
Melissa Casstevens, MS, LCMHC
My Approach
Therapy with me isn’t stiff, scripted, or one-size-fits-all. I’m a little quirky, a little down-to-earth, and always real. I show up as my authentic self because I believe that’s what helps others feel safe to do the same. When you sit with me, you’re not getting a distant professional with a clipboard, you’re getting a human being who’s genuinely invested in your story.
I tailor each session to fit you, your needs, your pace, your goals, and even your own brand of quirkiness. Some days, therapy looks like deep reflection; other days, it’s about finding small ways to breathe again. Whatever it looks like, my focus is on creating a space that feels safe, grounded, and genuine.
I believe the most healing moments in therapy come from connection, the kind that allows you to exhale and be fully yourself. I’ll hold space for your feelings, your growth, and your humanity, while helping you make sense of patterns and possibilities in your life.
Above all, I want our work together to feel collaborative and empowering. You bring your expertise on you, and I bring my experience, training, and presence. Together, we’ll explore what healing, balance, and authenticity can look like for you.
Therapy Methods
Every session with me is designed around you , your goals, your pace, and your way of experiencing the world. I bring a mix of tools and approaches to the room, from person-centered and solution-focused strategies to trauma-informed care, ACT, EMDR, and TF-CBT. But here’s the thing: not every tool fits every person, and that’s totally okay.
We’ll talk together about what feels right for you, what sparks curiosity, and what actually works in your life. My job isn’t to make you fit a method, it’s to help you find what fits you. Think of it as a toolkit that we explore together, pulling out what helps in the moment and leaving behind what doesn’t.
Therapy with me is flexible, collaborative, and tailored to your story. Every approach I use is grounded in care, curiosity, and respect for the person sitting across from me — you.