Meet Melissa Turner - LPC

Melissa’s favorite question to ask a new client is: ‘What will life look like one day when you come into my office and say, “Life is smooth, I’m succeeding, and I don’t need counseling any longer?” Melissa and you will begin working with this goal in mind. The idea isn’t to be in counseling forever, but to learn some skills for your life’s toolbox to help you handle the journey you are on and setting the stage for wholeness that lasts a lifetime. Melissa is honored to be included in your journey and story and she is ready to work alongside you during your current season in life. She also believes that everyone can benefit from having a therapist who is in your corner cheering you on in life.

She works with all populations however, she did get specilization certificates when working with k-12 grade students. She is certified in Behavioral Intervention, Parenting, Personality Disorders for Minors, and students who have or are facing trauma. 

Melissa also has certificates to work with human trafficking victims, pre and post natal care, women's health, trauma, grief, and healing post abortion from a Christian approach. Recently Melissa has recieved her certificate in biofeedback of neuroscience of addiction, complex trauma, grounding, and therapy after completing an additional course work for three months. 

She is passionate about knowing people as individuals and helping others to understand that counseling isn’t a ‘one size fits all’ model. Listening and truly hearing someone’s story helps to be an effective counselor. Melissa also loves meeting people where they are at and walking with them through understanding of God’s redemptive love and grace in their life. She is compassionate and committed to providing professional counseling and incorporate faith-based services. Melissa believes that without Jesus then a cycle of behaviors and issues can never be broken. 

Melissa received her Bachelor’s degrees in Counseling, Leadership and Education from Lee
University. She also received her Master’s degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from Malone University. Currently, Melissa is finishing a Ph.D. in Counselor Education and Supervision with specialization in Marriage, Couple and Family Counseling, as well as Trauma, Crisis and School Counseling at Lee University. She is also a member of the American Counseling Association, American Association of Christian Counselors, and Ohio Counseling Association.

Melissa is also a mother to five daughters: Lydia (16) Julia (12) Rebekah (11) Bethany (7) Norah (4) and have been married for 17 years to her husband Stephen. This has allowed Melissa to understand that parenting is based on the individual child and there is no perfect model that every child will fit under. 

Together, Melissa and her husband are the lead pastors at Faith Fellowship Church at 388 E. Midlothian Blvd. in Youngstown, Ohio. Melissa is the minister to children and youth each week. Before being a senior Pastor, Stephen and Melissa were youth pastor’s full time for 3 years and part time for 5. 

When asked what Melissa believes she is awesome at, Melissa replied, “Learning that we don’t need to strive for perfection in life but rather embrace the imperfect moments that are messy. If everyone were perfect, then what a boring world we would live in and we would never had needed a Savior. My goal is to cultivate an atmosphere for my clients where everyone feels safe, secure, loved, accepted, and feels no judgment. Once this is created, then we can work on the