Accepting New Clients - January, 2025
Melissa Neitzel, MT-BC, LPC-IT, WMTR
I’m glad you’re here. My name is Melissa and I am a Licensed Professional Counselor in Training and a Board Certified Music Therapist. I have a Bachelor of Music in Music Therapy and a Master of Science in Community Psychology: Licensed Professional Counselor both from Alverno College.
I specialize in perinatal mental health, with advanced training in perinatal mood and anxiety disorders and music therapy-assisted childbirth. I have over seven years of experience in the NICU, where I supported parent-infant bonding and witnessed the transformative power of music in fostering connection and healing.
I offer an integrative approach that is rooted in person-centered, strengths-based, and solution focused therapy. I have always had a connection to music and became drawn to music therapy when I witnessed music’s healing power in my own life. I enjoy making music, spending time with my family and dogs, being outside, and sewing.
“Where words leave off, music begins.” -Heinrich Heine
My Approach
I approach therapy with warmth, authenticity, and a little humor, creating a safe and supportive space where you can feel seen and heard. At the heart of our work together is the belief that you have the inner strength and resilience to navigate life’s challenges. My approach is person-centered, which means that every session is shaped by your needs, your pace, and your personal experiences.
I also draw from a strengths-based approach, meaning that our work will focus on what’s already going well in your life, and how you can build on these strengths to navigate current challenges. Together, we’ll explore new tools and coping strategies, always fostering a safe and non-judgmental space for you to grow and heal.
what’s an appointment like?
As a Music Therapist and a Licensed Professional Counselor in Training I blend traditional talk therapy with the healing power of music to help you connect with your thoughts and emotions in new and meaningful ways. Music therapy isn’t about being a musician—it’s about using music as a tool for self-expression, processing emotions, and enhancing well-being. Each session is tailored to your preferences and may include:
Listening to Music: We might explore songs that resonate with you or evoke specific memories and emotions, discussing how they reflect your current experiences.
Creating Music Together: If you’re open to it, we might use instruments or voice to express yourself in ways words sometimes can’t.
Guided Imagery and Relaxation: We’ll use soothing music to guide you through relaxation techniques that help you reduce stress and connect with your inner peace.
Reflective Conversation: Throughout our work together, we will process your thoughts and emotions, focusing on your strengths and personal growth. I aim to help you tap into your natural resilience, empowering you to overcome obstacles and feel more connected to yourself.
Each session is a collaborative experience, with the ultimate goal of helping you feel more in tune with your own needs, emotions, and potential. Whether through words, music, or a combination of both, our time together will offer opportunities for deep healing and positive transformation.
How long will the therapeutic process take?
Healing has no timeline. Growth is open-ended and endless. However, we do know, it takes about 10-12 weeks for lasting change to occur. After an initial consultation, you can expect regularly scheduled, appointments for at least 3 months. We typically review progress every few weeks and adjust scheduling as needed. An example of a possible therapeutic process may look like:
Weekly Sessions for 3 months
Biweekly Sessions for 3 months
Monthly Sessions for 3 months
Discharge
Regularity and continuity provide a feeling of security and add structure to the therapeutic process, in which your own experience can naturally unfold. I am here to assist you in this process, by offering the time and space needed, and certain skills that may enable you to explore your experience more effectively. Looking forward to hearing from you!
“I ABSOLUTELY VALUE AND ENJOY THE BEAUTY FOUND IN THE DIVERSITY OF THOUGHT, LOVE, AND BEING.”
Tiernee Schatz, ATR-BC, LPC, NCC, CCTP