Do food rules, training schedules, or relentless self‑critique dominate your thoughts? Are you juggling the pressures of performance, perfection, and personal wellbeing -- only to end most days exhausted or discouraged? As a Licensed Clinical Social Worker with advanced training in eating‑disorder recovery, addiction treatment, anxiety, and depressive disorders, I help clients swap self‑doubt for self‑trust and build habits that support a strong body and a steady mind.
I’m especially passionate about serving athletes -- from weekend warriors to collegiate competitors -- who want peak performance without sacrificing mental health or balanced fueling.
My Counseling Philosophy
Therapy should feel like a training ground for the mind: a place where you build skills, receive expert feedback, and celebrate small wins that add up to lasting change. I combine evidence‑based modalities -- such as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Dialectical Behavior Therapy, and Motivational Interviewing -- with sports‑informed coaching strategies.
Together, we’ll:
- Clarify goals rooted in your personal values, not external pressure.
- Increase self‑awareness around emotions, cravings, and performance anxieties.
- Strengthen coping tools that translate to practice, competition, and daily life.
- Promote sustainable routines—nutritive eating, balanced training, and restful recovery.
Areas of Focus
- Substance or behavioral addictions impacting health and sport
- Mood regulation for depression, anxiety, or competition stress
- Body‑image healing and intuitive nourishment
- Enhancing confidence, resilience, and performance mindset
What Working Together Looks Like
Expect sessions that are lively, goal‑oriented, and collaborative -- more like a strategic huddle than a lecture. We’ll talk through current challenges, run “mental drills” to build coping skills, and map out concrete action steps that fit seamlessly into your training schedule or daily routine. You’ll leave each appointment with fresh insights into the science of nutrition, addiction, and performance psychology; personalized exercises and handouts to reinforce progress between visits; and, most importantly, an encouraging sense of momentum grounded in self‑compassion and incremental wins. with your true needs and values.
Ready to reclaim your relationship with food, body, and performance? Let’s transform pressure into purpose and create a lifestyle where mental health fuels physical excellence. Reach out today to schedule a consultation with me, Desiree Messina, and start charting a course toward sustainable strength -- inside and out.
FREE INITAL CALL
15-minute phone consultation to explore your needs & alignment
15-minute phone consultation to explore your needs & alignment
Individual Therapy Sessions
60-minute sessions
Private Pay Rates: $150 (standard) / $150 (specialty)
Individual Therapy Sessions
60-minute sessions
Private Pay Rates: $150 (standard) / $150 (specialty)
VIRTUAL COUNSELING
Meet virtually in the privacy and convenience of your own home
VIRTUAL COUNSELING
Meet virtually in the privacy and convenience of your own home
Insurance Accepted
We work with most major insurance plans and assist with verification
We work with most major insurance plans and assist with verification
LET’S BEGIN TOGETHER
Healing doesn’t have to happen alone.
Take the first step gently, intentionally, at your own pace.
VERIFIED & TRUSTED
Find me on these professional therapy platforms.
Accessible Care, Aligned With You
We accept most major insurance plans and offer private pay options, because healing should meet you where you are.
