Lindsay Meissner

Perhaps the most important aspect of therapy is the relationship between the client and clinician. Most clinical settings are unfortunately limited in that these matches are the luck of the draw. As a client of Better Help, you are afforded the agency to first learn a bit about clinicians and then choose who you think might be a good fit. I am interested in humans, their unique experiences, how they relate within their relationships. As a therapist, my style is intuitive and adaptable. You can expect me to create a non-judgemental environment where I help you to make sense of yourself in relation to the world around you, and explore what concrete or philosophical adjustments could be made to help you feel whole. My motivation arrives from connecting with people that are inspired and empowered by the arts and mutual learning relationships. I was raised to value social justice and its relationship to creative expression, which compelled me to pursue a human services career and has shaped the way I engage with people throughout my work. Beginning as a youth camp counselor, my direct services experience now spans 13 organizations over 15 years. I have nine years of experience as a licensed social worker, and approximately seven as a clinical therapist for adults ages 18 and up. I have had the opportunity to interact with some of the harshest social institutions and precarious settings representing the most marginalized populations: at-risk youth; people who are charged with violent and sex-based felonies, chronically homeless, seriously and persistently mentally ill, living with developmental disabilities, living with HIV/AIDS, involved in sex work, victims and perpetrators of DV, transgender, actively abusing hard narcotics; and youth/families that have serially migrated to the United States. In each organizational setting, I strive to incorporate strengths-based practices, even in environments where this approach is not emphasized. My approach tends to be Integrative with elements of various therapeutic models such as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Motivational Interviewing, Narrative Therapy and Interpersonal Psychotherapy. Typically, I work to create a fluid space with room for the client’s self-direction, and apply or recommend specific techniques when I believe they would be helpful. However, I can also facilitate a more structured treatment experience if that is what you are seeking.