Melissa-Irene Jackson, LCSW

Melissa-Irene Jackson (she/her) is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker who has degrees and education in psychology, social work, gender studies, religious studies, and gendered violence intervention. She enjoys supporting clients across all stages of life with a focus on healing from past traumas, improving communication, healthy relationships, supporting survivors of sexual assault and dating violence, coping with grief and loss, disability, and more.

The foundation of her clinical work is in collaborative trauma-informed practice, a framework which calls us to minimize hierarchies and celebrate our shared humanity through an intersectional lens. Along with clinical work, she has taught this model in a variety of settings, including consultation work, curriculum development, and panel presentations for national audiences.

Melissa-Irene’s approach to therapy is rooted in client-driven talk therapy while also incorporating a variety of theoretical approaches and established therapeutic models. To the extent that trauma-informed practice calls us to minimize hierarchies, her goal is to create therapeutic relationships with clients which feel authentic and truly collaborative. She enjoys working with clients at all stages of the therapeutic process and is an especially good fit for folks who are ready to dive in and challenge themselves. She is also passionate about supporting LGBTQ clients and/or their families, people who are already in recovery, and conflict resolution.

She has developed a deep appreciation for the ways in which we all find meaning and purpose in our daily lives, especially in the things that bring us joy. This can be anything from a fulfilling career to a deep love for a book series or videogame. So many of our social connections are formed and/or strengthened through shared hobbies and culture, it’s only natural that we incorporate the things that make us feel alive into the therapeutic process.

After working on an NIH-funded research project studying traumatic brain injuries for almost a decade, she returned to school and completed her Master’s in Social Work (MSW) at Virginia Commonwealth University in 2018. During her graduate program, she provided therapy to clients at the YWCA and volunteered with the Regional Hospital Accompaniment Response Team (RHART). She achieved her Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) credential in early 2024.

Melissa-Irene also has an extensive background in grassroots public policy at both the state and federal level, advocating for mental health parity legislation with a particular focus on eating disorder policy.

When she isn’t working, Melissa-Irene enjoys reading, good coffee, live music, vinyl records, creative writing, and the occasional quiet evening playing videogames in the company of her two cats.