Melissa Geiger-Dugandzic, LISW

Melissa Geiger-Dugandzic is an Ohio LISW (Licensed Independent Social Worker) with eight years of professional experience. She works with adults who struggle with stress, anxiety, addiction, trauma, self-esteem, depression, grief, anger, and mood disorders. She also addresses concerns related to first responder and veteran experiences, gambling and substance problems, and issues like codependency and control.

Her approach is practical and person-focused. She draws on client-centered work to listen and build trust. She uses Cognitive Behavioral Therapy to identify patterns that keep problems active. She also brings Dialectical Behavior Therapy and mindfulness to help manage strong emotions and urges.

In sessions she talks through what feels most urgent and what has been tried before. Therapy may include skill practice for handling impulses, strategies to reduce shame and isolation, and steps to change behaviors that feed addiction or anger. She also uses eye movement desensitization and reprocessing when trauma memories are a central concern.

She pays attention to life circumstances that make change harder, such as financial stress or first responder duties. Conversations cover concrete goals like improving relationships, reducing impulsive reactions, or managing work-related stress. Progress is tracked in practical terms you can notice day to day.

People who reach out often want clear tools and straightforward feedback. The sessions aim to help people manage difficult feelings, reduce harmful habits, and build routines that support steadier mood and behavior. To begin, the first session typically focuses on what matters most now and a realistic plan forward.

How her approaches translate to online sessions