About me:

Through the direction of the Holy Spirit, I founded Compassionate Christ Centered Counseling, LLC, in 2019, with the mission of providing a safe place for Catholics, Christians and those of other faiths to participate in psychotherapy and mental health evaluations.  I desire that all of our clients feel heard, understood and respected.

I am a Certified Forensic Mental Health Evaluator through the National Board of Forensic Evaluators and I have conducted dozens of mental health evaluations for asylum, VAWA, cancellation of removal, extreme hardship and T and U Visa cases. I work in close collaboration with my client's legal counsel to help undocumented immigrants find a path toward legal citizenship through the evaluation process. 

As a psychotherapist, I work with adolescent and adult females with presenting problems which include relationship conflicts, anxiety, depression, and a history of trauma/abuse. 

Background:

Melanie Bruss, MA, LPC, CFMHE graduated with a Masters in Counseling, Clinical Mental Health track from Ball State University in 2013.  After graduation, she worked as a bilingual Spanish/English speaking therapist in southwest Detroit.  Melanie also spent several years discerning with the religious community “Las Consagradas del Santisimo Salvador,” based in Guerrero, Mexico. Melanie worked in community mental health for several years before founding Compassionate Christ Centered Counseling, LLC in 2019.

For psychotherapy, Melanie is trained in using attachment theory, motivational interviewing, cognitive-behavioral therapy and play therapy approaches.