IFSTherapists

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LICSW

Melissa Maaske, LICSW

  • Experience10 years
  • LocationMinnesota
  • Focus areasStress and Anxiety, Relationship, and Trauma and abuse
  • Therapy approachesInternal Family Systems and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
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About Melissa

Melissa Maaske is a licensed clinical social worker (LICSW) practicing in Minnesota with ten years of clinical experience. She focuses on helping people navigate stress, anxiety, trauma and relationship concerns while also addressing self-esteem, addiction, grief, and a broad range of life transitions and identity-related challenges.

Background and approach

Her work includes attention to issues such as abandonment, attachment difficulties, blended family concerns, body image, and caregiver stress, among others. Her style blends evidence-informed techniques and thoughtful exploration, drawing on Internal Family Systems alongside cognitive behavioral and psychodynamic tools to help clients understand patterns and build practical skills.

Melissa brings a compassionate, respectful stance that supports clients through decision-making struggles, communication breakdowns, and moments of overwhelm. She frames therapy as a collaborative process that invites curiosity about internal parts, emotions, and behaviors while also teaching strategies for coping and change.

Clients seeking focused, steady support for mood symptoms, relationship tension, trauma-related struggles, or life-change challenges can expect an approach that balances insight with concrete coping methods and motivation-focused techniques to foster forward movement.

Approaches that guide online care and skill-building



Internal Family Systems (IFS) invites clients to notice and relate to different internal parts with curiosity and compassion, helping people understand how thoughts, emotions, or protective behaviours developed and how they interact. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) focuses on identifying unhelpful thinking patterns and learning practical skills to shift behavior and reduce distress, which can be useful for anxiety, depression, and stress-related concerns. Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) adds a skills-based emphasis on emotion regulation, distress tolerance, and interpersonal effectiveness to help manage intense emotions and relationship conflicts.

Choosing the right approach is a collaborative process. The therapist will work with each person to explore goals, preferences, and what feels most helpful in early sessions, adjusting methods over time so therapy stays aligned with the client's needs and pace.

Online formats such as video calls, phone sessions, live chat, and text-based messaging offer flexibility for fitting therapy into a busy life and for maintaining continuity when in-person meetings are not feasible. These options make it easier to practice skills between meetings, check in more frequently when needed, and access licensed professionals from wherever one is located in Minnesota.

Frequently asked questions

What concerns does this therapist commonly address?
She works with stress, anxiety, relationship difficulties, trauma and abuse, self-esteem, depression, addictions, grief, and many life transition issues listed in her practice profile.
What is her general therapeutic style?
Her approach combines compassionate, respectful exploration with evidence-informed methods to help clients gain insight and develop practical coping skills.
How much clinical experience does she have?
She has ten years of professional experience providing mental health care in Minnesota.
What are her credentials and where is she licensed?
She is a LICSW licensed in Minnesota with licence number MN LICSW 18331.
Does she offer services in languages other than English or accept international clients?
Sessions are offered in English and she is not currently accepting international clients.
What session formats are available for therapy?
Clients can meet by video calls, phone sessions, live chat, or text-based messaging depending on availability and preference.
How is cost handled for sessions?
Cost varies by location and therapist availability; sessions are provided through a subscription that can be canceled at any time.
What are the first steps to begin working with her?
Begin by selecting the Start Therapy button, completing a brief matching questionnaire, and then scheduling according to therapist availability.

Areas of expertise

Primary focus

Stress, AnxietyRelationship issuesTrauma and abuseSelf esteemDepression

Also works with

AddictionsLGBTFamily conflictsGriefIntimacy-related issuesEating disordersAnger managementCareer difficultiesCoping with life changesCompassion fatigueADHD

Additional focus areas

AbandonmentAdoption and foster careAttachment issuesBlended family issuesBody imageCaregiver issues and stressCodependencyCommitment issuesCommunication problemsControl issuesCoping with natural or human-caused disasterDissociationDivorce and separationDrug and alcohol addictionEating and food-related issuesEmptinessFamily of origin issuesFamily problemsFertility issuesForgivenessGender dysphoriaGuilt and shameHoardingInfidelityIsolation / lonelinessJealousyLife purposeMidlife crisisMoney and financial issuesPanic disorder and panic attacksPersonality disordersPhobiasPolyamory / non-monogamous relationshipsPostpartum depressionPost-traumatic stressSeasonal Affective Disorder (SAD)Self-harmSelf-loveSexual assault and abuseSexualitySocial anxiety and phobiaTrichotillomaniaWomen's issuesWorkplace issuesYoung adult issues

Therapeutic approaches

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT)Motivational InterviewingPsychodynamic TherapySolution-Focused TherapySomatic TherapyTrauma-Focused TherapyInternal Family Systems

Experience

10+ years

Licensed

Minnesota

Languages

English