Dr. Melinda Lawless Coker, LMFT

Experienced Florida family therapist focused on relationships and trauma

32 years experience
Family and trauma focus
Accepting international clients

About Dr. Melinda Lawless Coker

Dr. Melinda Lawless Coker is a licensed marriage and family therapist and a licensed psychologist who completed her graduate training in Miami, Florida. She holds an LMFT credential - Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist - and brings a relational perspective to clinical work that draws on multigenerational family systems as well as psychodramatic and sociometric methods. These relational approaches inform how she understands patterns of connection, conflict, and healing in relationships.

With 32 years of clinical experience, Dr. Coker has worked across a wide range of treatment settings, including private psychotherapy, inpatient drug treatment, high school counseling programs, county drug treatment, outpatient psychotherapy, women's prison programs, and drug court treatment. That breadth of experience supports her work with people facing past personal trauma such as sexual abuse, incest, rape, and domestic violence, along with anxiety, stress, depression, borderline personality disorder, and other everyday life challenges.

Dr. Coker emphasizes clear boundaries and helping people identify their emotional needs so they can make healthier choices and find steadiness when life feels unstable. She welcomes questions that help shape therapy to be useful and relevant for each person and looks forward to beginning collaborative work with new clients.

Areas of Expertise

Primary Focus

Stress, Anxiety AddictionsRelationship issuesFamily conflictsTrauma and abuse

Also Specializes In

LGBTGriefIntimacy-related issuesParenting issuesAnger managementSelf esteemCareer difficultiesBipolar disorderDepression Coping with life changesCompassion fatigueADHD

Additional Focus Areas

AbandonmentAttachment issuesAvoidant personalityBlended family issuesBody imageCaregiver issues and stressCo-morbidityCodependencyCommitment issuesCommunication problemsControl issuesCoping with natural or human-caused disasterDependent personalityDisruptive Mood Dysregulation Disorder (DMDD)DissociationDivorce and separationDomestic violenceDrug and alcohol addictionEmptinessFamily of origin issuesFamily problemsFatherhood issuesFirst responder issuesGender dysphoriaGuilt and shameHIV / AIDSHospice and end-of-life counselingImpulsivityIsolation / lonelinessJealousyLife purposeMen's issuesVeteran and Armed Forces IssuesMood disordersMulticultural concernsPanic disorder and panic attacksPersonality disordersPhobiasPolyamory / non-monogamous relationshipsPostpartum depressionPost-traumatic stressPrejudice and discriminationProcess addiction (porn, exercise, gambling)Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD)Self-harmSelf-loveSexual assault and abuseSexualitySmoking / vaping cessationSocial anxiety and phobiaSomatizationTraumatic brain injuryWomen's issuesWorkplace issuesYoung adult issues

Therapeutic Approach

Attachment-Based Therapy Client-Centered Therapy Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) Existential Therapy Mindfulness Therapy Psychodynamic Therapy Trauma-Focused Therapy

Frequently Asked Questions

How much experience does Dr. Melinda Lawless Coker have?

Dr. Melinda Lawless Coker has 32 years of experience as a psychotherapist.

Is Dr. Melinda Lawless Coker a licensed therapist?

Yes. She holds the LMFT credential. License details: FL LMFT MT1504, FL Psychologist PY7080.

In which languages does Dr. Melinda Lawless Coker provide therapy?

She provides therapy in English.

Where is Dr. Melinda Lawless Coker located?

Dr. Coker is located in Florida.

How can I work with Dr. Melinda Lawless Coker as my therapist?

You can work with Dr. Melinda Lawless Coker through video calls, phone sessions, live chat, or text-based messaging.

Does Dr. Melinda Lawless Coker work with international clients?

Yes, Dr. Melinda Lawless Coker works with international clients.

How much does therapy with Dr. Melinda Lawless Coker 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, click the "Start Therapy" button on this page.

How can I get started with therapy?

Getting started is quick and straightforward. 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.

Approach-Focused Online Therapy with Licensed Professionals

Attachment-Based Therapy explores how early close relationships shape current patterns of connection and security, helping people address issues like abandonment, attachment injuries, and intimacy-related struggles. Client-Centered Therapy places the person at the center of care, emphasizing empathy and collaboration so clients can clarify values, build self-esteem, and pursue personal growth. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) focuses on identifying and shifting unhelpful thoughts and behaviors to reduce symptoms of anxiety, depression, and stress while teaching practical coping strategies.

Choosing the right approach is part of the therapeutic process, and Dr. Coker works collaboratively with each person to determine which methods best fit their needs, goals, and preferences. That collaborative stance allows therapy to be tailored and adjusted over time as progress unfolds.

Online therapy offers practical flexibility - sessions may occur by video call, phone, live chat, or text-based messaging - making it easier to fit care into busy schedules and to maintain continuity when life circumstances change. For many people, remote options increase access to consistent support from licensed professionals and allow therapy to proceed in a way that matches daily life and practical needs.

Ready to start therapy with Dr. Melinda Lawless Coker?

Take the first step toward a better you.

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