Melanie Barefield, LPC, LMFT
Couples and trauma-informed family therapist
- Couples therapy
- Trauma-informed care
- Family systems focus
About Melanie Barefield
Melanie Barefield is a licensed clinician who combines family systems training with trauma-informed approaches to support individuals, couples, and families. She holds a Master’s degree in Marriage and Family Therapy and maintains credentials as an LPC and an LMFT - LPC stands for Licensed Professional Counselor and LMFT denotes Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist, reflecting training in both individual and relational work. Melanie has developed experience across residential treatment centers, in-home counseling, church-based programs, and hospital settings, where she has focused much of her work on helping people recover from past traumatic experiences and address stressors rooted in family of origin dynamics.
Her practice emphasizes collaborative goal-setting: she begins by listening closely to understand where a person or family wants to be and then partners with them to map out practical steps toward that outcome. Melanie is trained in Prepare-Enrich and has supported couples seeking to strengthen their marriages, and with individuals she often uses techniques drawn from Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and Trauma-Focused CBT when appropriate. Because of her family therapy background, she also employs Family Systems Therapy methods to help families understand their interaction patterns and make meaningful changes in how members relate to one another.
Melanie frames the first outreach as an important step toward change and expresses that she is honored to accompany people through the process of building more functional relationships and healthier coping strategies for the future.
Her practice emphasizes collaborative goal-setting: she begins by listening closely to understand where a person or family wants to be and then partners with them to map out practical steps toward that outcome. Melanie is trained in Prepare-Enrich and has supported couples seeking to strengthen their marriages, and with individuals she often uses techniques drawn from Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and Trauma-Focused CBT when appropriate. Because of her family therapy background, she also employs Family Systems Therapy methods to help families understand their interaction patterns and make meaningful changes in how members relate to one another.
Melanie frames the first outreach as an important step toward change and expresses that she is honored to accompany people through the process of building more functional relationships and healthier coping strategies for the future.
Areas of Expertise
Primary Focus
Also Specializes In
Relationship issuesGriefParenting issuesBipolar disorderDepressionCoping with life changesCompassion fatigueADHD
Additional Focus Areas
AbandonmentBlended family issuesCommunication problemsFamily of origin issuesFamily problemsForgivenessGuilt and shameInfidelityJealousyLife purposeMulticultural concernsPostpartum depressionPost-traumatic stressPrejudice and discriminationSelf-harmSexual assault and abuseSocial anxiety and phobiaWorkplace issuesYoung adult issues
Therapeutic Approach
Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) Attachment-Based Therapy Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) Motivational Interviewing Trauma-Focused Therapy Internal Family Systems
Frequently Asked Questions
How much experience does Melanie Barefield have?
Melanie Barefield has 8 years of experience.
Is Melanie Barefield a licensed therapist?
Yes, she holds these credentials: LPC, LMFT. License details: GA LPC LPC010131, GA LMFT MFT001622.
In which languages does Melanie Barefield provide therapy?
English.
Where is Melanie Barefield located?
Georgia.
How can I work with Melanie Barefield as my therapist?
You can work with Melanie Barefield through video calls, phone sessions, live chat, or text-based messaging.
Does Melanie Barefield work with international clients?
Melanie Barefield does not currently work with international clients.
How much does therapy with Melanie Barefield cost?
The cost of therapy can vary depending on factors such as your location and the therapist's availability. Sessions are billed through a subscription that can be canceled at any time, for any reason. For current details, just click the "Start Therapy" button on this page.
How can I get started with therapy?
Getting started with therapy is quick and straightforward. Just click the "Start Therapy" button and complete a short questionnaire that helps match you with your therapist. Depending on availability, you can then schedule your first session, which may take place by phone, video call, live chat, or in-app messaging.
Therapeutic approaches and online care
Melanie frequently integrates Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) into her work - this approach helps people identify unhelpful thinking and behavior patterns and develop practical strategies for managing symptoms like anxiety or depression. Trauma-Focused Therapy is another cornerstone of her practice and is designed to address the impact of past traumatic events through structured interventions that support healing and recovery. Attachment-Based Therapy is used when relational patterns and early attachment experiences are central concerns; it focuses on improving connection, communication, and emotional bonds within families and couples.
Choosing the right approach is a collaborative process. Melanie works with each person or family to explore needs, goals, and preferences, and will recommend or blend methods that best fit the presenting concerns. This collaborative stance helps ensure the plan aligns with what the client hopes to achieve and how they prefer to work.
Online therapy offers practical advantages for many people. Through video calls, phone sessions, live chat, or text-based messaging, clients can access support from licensed professionals without rearranging major parts of their day, which increases flexibility for work, family, or mobility limitations. These options make it easier to maintain continuity of care and to receive consistent therapeutic support when it is needed most.