Melissa Wood Brewster LICSW

Melissa Wood Brewster is a licensed clinical social worker with over 20 years of experience in the field of mental health. She has worked with individuals, couples, and groups, addressing a range of issues such as depression, anxiety, relationship concerns, parenting, life transitions, and grief and loss. Melissa is uniquely qualified to work with the deaf and hard of hearing community, with expertise in American Sign Language and a deep understanding of the cultural values, nuances, and norms of the deaf and hard of hearing communities.

Therapy Services

As a therapist, Melissa provides individual, couples, and group therapy sessions. She helps individuals identify and understand their emotions, as critical information about what they need in the world and want in connection with others. Melissa believes that our emotions are one of the most valuable tools we have as social beings. Through therapy, she helps individuals develop a greater sense of self-awareness, self-acceptance, and self-compassion. She also offers supervision to clinicians working towards licensure and consultation to licensed clinicians, supporting their professional growth and development.

Specialties

Melissa's specialties include:

• Working with individuals who are deaf and hard of hearing
• Counseling loved ones of addicted people
• Parenting and family therapy
• Mindfulness-based stress reduction and relapse prevention
• Interpersonal neurobiology and attachment

Fees and Insurance

Melissa offers flexible rates for individual sessions, couples therapy, and group therapy. She accepts various insurance providers and offers flexible payment options. She is an in-network provider for Premera/LifeWise and Kaiser Permanente.

Resources

Melissa recommends the following books:

• "It Will Never Happen To Me, Children of Alcoholics" by Claudia Black
• "Changing Course, Healing from Loss, Abandonment and Fear" by Claudia Black
• "Beyond Addiction, How Science and Kindness Help People Change" by Jeffrey Foote, Carrie Wilkens, and Nicole Kosanke
• "Parenting from The Inside Out, How a Deeper Self-Understanding Can Help You Raise Children Who Thrive" by Daniel Siegel and Mary Hartzell
• "Everyday Blessings, The Inner Work of Mindful Parenting" by Myla and Jon Kabat-Zinn
• "The Whole-Brain Child" by Daniel Siegel and Tina Payne Bryson