Melanie Jerez-Sherrill, APC

Melanie Jerez-Sherrill has a passion for helping others which began at a young age and deeply developed throughout her teen and adult life. As a youngster she often had difficulty expressing her feelings and her father taught her how to think critically, love unconditionally, never judge, and how to use other forms of self-expression, like art and writing. Melanie was introduced to AA meetings and found comfort and safety to express her thoughts with her father’s life lessons and knew helping others achieve their comfort and safety through therapy was her path.

Melanie earned her BA in Psychology at Florida State University in 2015 and MA in Counseling with a concentration in mental health at NOVA Southeastern University in 2019. Soon after graduation Melanie left Miami, FL and began the journey as an Associate Professional Counselor (APC). Melanie is Trilingual (English/Spanish/French). She has extensive experience working with adults and elderly who struggle with substance abuse, schizophrenia, bipolar, personality disorders, depression, anxiety, along with major life transitions and end-of-life decisions. Melanie’s work with children and adolescents includes depression, anxiety, trauma/PTSD, school behavior concerns, and sexual identity.  Her training includes being a Licensed Professional Guardian in state of Florida, Cognitive Behavioral Intervention for Trauma in schools, Adult & Pediatric First Aid/CPR/AED, and assessing for Child and Adolescent Needs and Strengths. Melanie is looking forward to beginning her play therapy certification in 2020.

Melanie will explore and talk about negative thoughts and behaviors and will guide her client with resources and techniques to alleviate the symptoms her clients are experiencing using play-, talk-, and/or art- therapy. Through this journey, we will work together to achieve self-acceptance.  Melanie kept the values her father taught her close and have learned to incorporate them into her therapeutic approach. Melanie provides a judgment free zone, with a feeling of safety, comfort, and an open mind.