Melissa Hurt

Melissa Hurt is a Minnesota-licensed clinical social worker who brings both clinical training and a systems-focused background to her work. She earned a master’s degree in social work with a primary emphasis on macro social work issues, and after graduating she pursued her clinical license. Her Minnesota clinical social work license reflects advanced training in therapeutic practice (LICSW, license number 26480).

Melissa has spent the last eight years working in disability services, supporting a team of social workers and staying close to the day-to-day challenges people and support professionals face. She pays attention to how larger systems - cultural contexts, family histories, and life choices - shape experience, and she considers those influences when meeting with people because they matter.

Her clinical approach is rooted in compassion, a strengths-focused stance, and creative alternatives. She draws on methods such as Acceptance and Commitment Therapy and Emotion-Focused Therapy, while weaving cognitive behavioral techniques into self-reflection. Melissa values mindfulness and practical self-care and works with each person to discover what actually works best for them.

Melissa has experience supporting young college professionals, particularly those with military backgrounds, and she remains connected to the veteran community; she spent many years as a military spouse and has family who have lived around the globe. At home she has been married for over twenty years and is the parent of three teenagers, which informs her interest in building strong, healthy families and exploring the rewards and challenges of long-term partnerships.

She works with a wide range of concerns including stress and anxiety, relationship and family conflicts, depression, addictions, trauma and abuse, grief, intimacy-related matters, parenting issues, anger management, self-esteem, career difficulties, coping with life changes, coaching, compassion fatigue, and ADHD. Melissa believes struggles can be opportunities for growth, and she aims to help people understand what their challenges can teach them so they can move through them with greater peace, stability, and joy. She sees herself as a trusted confidant who will be honest, compassionate, and a strong supporter throughout the work ahead.