Melissa Adams, UMO MSW LCSW LADC CCS, Therapist in Portland, Maine

Melissa Adams helps adolescents, adults, and seniors across Maine navigate mental health challenges with compassion, clinical expertise, and a deep respect for each person’s unique life experiences. As a Licensed Clinical Social Worker at LifeStance Health, she provides individual therapy for individuals seeking support with anxiety, depression, and trauma, while also addressing a broad range of additional mental health concerns. Since beginning her clinical practice in 2011, Melissa has been dedicated to helping clients build resilience, strengthen coping skills, and create meaningful, lasting change. Melissa is especially passionate about working with individuals experiencing co-occurring mental health and substance use disorders. She understands the complex relationship between emotional well-being and substance use and provides trauma-informed care that supports recovery while addressing underlying mental health concerns. Her experience includes helping clients manage mood disorders, anxiety, depression, serious and persistent mental illness, grief, ADHD, and challenges related to major life transitions. She is also honored to support veterans and first responders as they navigate the unique stressors associated with their experiences. Her therapeutic approach is collaborative, practical, and individualized. Melissa draws from evidence-based treatments including Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), while incorporating additional interventions when beneficial. She believes that successful therapy begins with a strong therapeutic relationship and strives to create a space where clients feel heard, respected, and empowered to pursue their goals. Melissa works with teens, adults, and older adults facing concerns such as anxiety, depression, trauma, grief, relationship difficulties, substance use, bipolar disorder, and life transitions. She also has experience serving members of the LGBTQ+ community, military veterans, and first responders. Her approach focuses on helping clients develop practical tools, increase self-awareness, and move forward with greater confidence and emotional wellness. Outside of her clinical work, Melissa enjoys beekeeping and spending time outdoors through alpine skiing, golfing, camping, and exploring nature. She also loves traveling, listening to music, and spending time with her family, friends, dogs, and cats. A lifelong learner, she is passionate about advocacy, volunteering, mentoring others, supporting animal welfare, and continuing her professional and personal growth through ongoing research and education. Whether you are seeking therapy for anxiety, depression, trauma, substance use concerns, or significant life changes, Melissa provides personalized, evidence-based mental health care for individuals throughout Maine.