Melissa Scolaro is a graduate of Washington University in St. Louis where she earned a Masters of Social Work degree. She is currently in private practice in the Clayton/Ladue area. Melissa also completed the Psychotherapy Development and Enrichment Program at Care and Counseling and two-year post-graduate Advanced Psychodynamic Psychotherapy Program at the St. Louis Psychoanalytic Institute. Melissa has a Masters in Linguistics degree from the University of Kansas. She has appeared regularly on Great Day St. Louis as a guest psychotherapist covering such issues as relationship conflict, parenting challenges, fostering emotional intelligence, building healing connection, compassionate conversation and mindfulness in everyday life.
I am drawn to the sacred space of the therapeutic encounter and the opportunities therein for understanding, compassion and human connection. I believe in the power of the therapeutic conversation and the relationship as the force of change. But more than change, the power of psychotherapy is in the way it expands the individual’s choice: choice in behaviors or ways of seeing others, themselves and their life circumstances. It is a privilege to join patients on their journey of self-discovery and healing, and I am humbled and inspired by the human capacity for growth and self-healing and the great tenacity with which we all move toward mastery and repair.
Attachment Theory, Object Relations, Relational and Psychoanalytic Theory are strong influences in my work with patients and guide me in helping them make sense and use of as well as re-write their life narratives. My approach is also informed by elements of Emotionally Focused Therapy, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and Dialectical Behavioral Therapy. I collaborate with each individual or couple to develop a treatment approach.
Areas of special interest or experience include: gay and lesbian issues, women's issues including fertility, gender roles and parenting, men's issues, veterans (trauma, PTSD), grief/loss, life transition, sexuality, attachment, adoption and marriage/couples work.
No man is an island, entire of itself... any man's death diminishes me, because I am involved in mankind; and therefore never send to know for whom the bell tolls; it tolls for thee. ~ Donne, Meditation XVII
