My name is Melissa Meuzelaar, and I am a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) in the state of Colorado. I hold a Master’s Degree in Clinical Counseling from Denver Seminary and have been practicing as a therapist in Colorado for over 20 years.
From my practice in Carbondale, Colorado, I am passionate about helping people engage fully in their lives—to live bravely into their unique journey, including the pain, fear, insecurities, and obstacles that inevitably shape us. I believe every person brings a unique set of strengths, and those strengths can be powerful resources for navigating life’s challenges and creating movement toward healing and overall health.
I believe many of our deepest wounds happen in relationship, and much of our healing happens in relationship as well. I strive to create a safe, supportive space where you can better understand yourself and deepen your relationships with the people in your life.
I work from a trauma-informed perspective and utilize EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) when appropriate, while tailoring my approach to each client’s unique needs. I incorporate a variety of evidence-based modalities, including EMDR, Client-Centered Therapy, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Attachment-based work, and Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT).
I view the connection between heart, body, and mind as central to the therapeutic process. Emotional pain and trauma are not held only in our thoughts—they are stored in both the brain and body. My hope is to help you grow stronger in heart, body, and mind so that you can experience healing and move through life as a whole person.
As a former college athlete, I am especially passionate about working with athletes and individuals in high-performance environments. I understand the unique pressures that often come with competitive environments—the drive to achieve, the weight of expectations, perfectionism, and the internal pressure to always perform at a high level. While these qualities can fuel success, they can also contribute to anxiety, burnout, disconnection, and a sense that your worth is tied to what you accomplish. Therapy can provide a space to slow down, reconnect with yourself, and build resilience that supports both well-being and performance.
Whether you are struggling with relational challenges, sport performance, trauma recovery, mood disorders (including depression and bipolar disorder), parenting, grief and loss, aging, or other life transitions, you do not have to navigate it alone.
Does the thought of walking into an unfamiliar office and sitting face-to-face with a stranger feel intimidating? It did to me at first, too.
Are you a new mom trying to adjust to an entirely new rhythm while experiencing emotions you never expected? Does scheduling therapy around feedings and naps feel nearly impossible? Or perhaps you simply feel better when you can move, breathe, and be outside, and you struggle to fit it all in.
If any of these resonate with you, I invite you to explore my Walk & Talk Therapy option here, which may offer a more comfortable and natural fit for your healing journey.
To see whether I may be a good fit for your counseling needs, I invite you to schedule a free phone consultation here.
I am a real person, walking the journey of life, just like you. I have my own struggles, fears and obstacles and I am I'm committed to learning daily and leaning into those with courage, vulnerability, and humor. I'm married and have three children. I feel most alive when I am outdoors hiking, skiing, biking, or gardening alongside the people I love. Counseling has been an invaluable tool for me in my own journey as I strive to live a full and joyful life.
Melissa Meuzelaar, MA LPC
Rise & Shine Counseling