Melissa Russiano

she/her
Melissa
is a therapist at Two Chairs.
Melissa enjoys partnering with individuals to help them avoid perfectionism, imposter syndrome, anxiety and burnout so they can find the balance they are seeking in their lives. Melissa approaches her clinical work with a commitment to be an active participant in the healing process so that challenges become positive instead of negative, and barriers become motivators. Her greatest success as a clinician is being able to witness the “light bulb” moments and growth as clients take back their lives to thrive instead of survive.

In her free time, Melissa can be found relaxing with a good book near any large body of water (lake, pool, ocean—she isn’t picky!). She enjoys being social but also enjoys kayaking alone for solitude. Melissa is trying to embrace yoga as a meditation practice but has yet to be successful in that arena. She is willing to try goat yoga next if needed! With a wanderlust heart, travel is a huge component of her life, but she is more focused on the need for balance in all areas.

Location
San Francisco
,
CA
Education and Experience
  • Private practice for the last sixteen years after a long career in nonprofit administration
  • Private practice at Vanderbilt University
  • Graduate degree
  • Certified Daring Way™ Facilitator based on the research of Brené Brown, PhD.
  • Certified in Brainspotting
Modalities
Acceptance and Commitment (ACT)
Cognitive Behavioral (CBT)
Dialectical Behavioral (DBT)
Internal Family Systems (IFS)
Mindfulness
Motivational Interviewing
Psychodynamic
Somatic Therapies
Emotionally Focused
Clinical Issues
ADHD
Anxiety
Personality Issues
Postpartum Mood Disorders
Stress
Trauma and PTSD
Bipolar
Borderline Personality Disorder
Eating Disorders
Hoarding
Obsessive-Compulsive (OCD)
Sleep or Insomnia
Substance use
Specialties
Body Image
Burnout
Chronic Illness
Chronic Pain
Cultural or racial identity
Divorce
Eating Disorders
Exercise
Family Issues
Grief
Imposter Syndrome
Infidelity
Relationships
Role Transitions
Self Esteem
Sex/Intimacy
Sexual Assault
Spirtuality
Stress
Trauma and PTSD
Values and Goals
Weight Management
Women's Issues
Work or Careers
Anger Management
Gender or Sexual Identity
Intimate Partner Violence
Men's Issues
Smoking Cessation
Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI)