Today we’d like to introduce you to Melissa Keane.
Hi Melissa, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
Fifteen years ago, I became a mom for the first time. This was a new identity for me and one that I wasn’t particularly prepared for. While I deeply adored my son and was so thankful for the opportunity to become a new parent, part of me was also struggling with all of the changes and challenges that came along with the role. At the time, I was working as an Account Director for a busy marketing agency in Boston. I found it very difficult to juggle the working mom thing and wasn’t sure where to turn for help. Everyone else seemed to know what they were doing and though I wasn’t sure how I was supposed to feel, I knew I wasn’t feeling like myself. So I just did what I knew to do and focused on being productive and trying to be the “perfect” mom and employee.
Fast forward a few years, my family moved down to the Atlanta area for my husband’s job. I was feeling a bit burned out and finally had the chance to take a break from my career to focus on raising my family. I had my second child after a few years of challenges getting pregnant and knew that it was time to think about working again. I appreciated my time as a stay-at-home mom but I knew I was ready for something else. I thought about my own journey through motherhood and the challenges I’d faced. I considered what I needed the most during that time and what would have been most helpful to get me through those tough transitions. The idea of becoming a counselor to specialize in supporting moms began to crystalize for me. The what, when, how, and why was a little fuzzy but I took a leap of faith (with the help and support of my husband and family) and enrolled in a part-time graduate program for Clinical Mental Health Counseling.
Concurrently, I received advanced training and education in the area of perinatal mental health through Postpartum Support International (PSI). I built connections with a few amazing therapists in the area who were already established and doing great work for this population and began to slowly build my niche and client base under their mentorship. During this time, I was able to provide individual and group therapy to pregnant and postpartum women across Georgia. I also became a founding board member of the local Georgia Chapter of PSI, an organization dedicated to advocacy, education, and support for the emotional well-being of mothers and their families. During my time on the board, I led the development and facilitation of a robust provider training program focusing on best practices for screening and referring patients for perinatal mental health challenges. I launched my solo practice last year (Melissa Keane, Counseling for Women) and currently provide specialized therapy to women at all stages of their reproductive journey.
I’m sure you wouldn’t say it’s been obstacle free, but so far would you say the journey have been a fairly smooth road?
Going through graduate school with two young children at home was a real challenge. I had to get creative with childcare, especially since we do not have any extended family that lives close by. I remember thinking that going back to school as an older adult with children was a very different experience than when I was in undergraduate as a young adult. It was also a little scary deciding to go out on my own in private practice. I worried that I wouldn’t be able to attract new clients or run the business successfully on my own. They certainly do not teach you about business management in counseling school. Thankfully I was able to use my business and marketing background to support these efforts. I think it’s helped me be a better counselor to have a professional background in a completely different professional area.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your business?
I am a licensed professional counselor with advanced certification in perinatal mental health. I provide individual and group support to women across Georgia, with a special focus on pregnancy, postpartum, and motherhood. Prior to becoming a therapist, I had an accomplished career in marketing communications, including more than a decade of professional experience in marketing services, project development, and client relations. My own difficult journey of becoming a mother led me to explore a second career as a mental health counselor and educator. I believe this personal and professional experience allows me to bring a unique perspective to the therapeutic relationship.
I have a passion for serving the needs of all women, with a special focus on supporting pregnant women and new mothers through the journey to parenthood. In addition to my education and clinical internship, I have completed advanced training in perinatal mental health (including mood and anxiety disorders, infertility, and perinatal loss). I also specialize in supporting women through challenges related to depression, anxiety, relationship issues, self-esteem & identity, and other major life changes. I focus on the unique needs and goals of each client, and my approach is warm, interactive, and strength-based. I currently offer individual therapy and specifically-tailored perinatal packages for pregnant and postpartum women.
Can you talk to us a bit about happiness and what makes you happy?
I am most definitely a homebody. I’m probably the happiest when sitting comfortably at home with my family and my animals (I have a dog and cat) watching a movie or reading a book. Water is also very important to me. Anytime I can be close to the ocean, I feel an instant sense of peace. Oh, and coffee…coffee definitely makes me happy.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.melissakeane.com
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MelissaKeaneCounseling/
