DaNA mellon, lcsw

Dana Mellon is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker who provides therapy for children, adolescents, and adults in South Jersey. She works with clients experiencing anxiety, depression, substance use disorders, grief, family conflict, major life transitions, low self-esteem, impulsivity, emotional dysregulation, and school or peer-related concerns. Dana has worked across outpatient, inpatient, and school-based mental health settings and has completed specialized training in addiction studies.

Dana's experience across different levels of mental health care has given her an understanding that struggles rarely exist in isolation. Anxiety can affect relationships. Difficulties at school can influence confidence. Substance use can become connected to stress, trauma, relationships, or the way someone has learned to cope with uncomfortable emotions.

Her approach is client-centered and practical. Dana draws from Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), Solution-Focused Therapy, and Motivational Interviewing to help clients understand patterns while developing skills they can realistically use outside of the therapy room.

Dana also understands that motivation for change is not always straightforward. This can be especially important when working with substance use, impulsive behaviors, or adolescents who may not have been the person who initially decided therapy was necessary. Rather than forcing change, she works with clients to understand their own goals, identify what is and is not working, and explore what they may want to do differently.

For younger clients and teens, Dana's school-based experience helps her understand how mental health, friendships, family dynamics, academic expectations, behavior, and self-esteem can overlap. Her goal is to meet clients where they are while helping them build the insight and skills needed to move forward.