TANYA MELS, COUNSELOR FOR ANXIETY IN DURHAM.

You’re not broken! You’re overwhelmed. Better days aren’t a cliché—they’re a plan.

If you’re a hardworking, creative woman stuck in cycles of worry, overthinking, and emotional exhaustion, this space is for you.

You’re in the right place.

You’re sick and tired of being sick and tired. 

You’re not here for a cookie-cutter approach—and I’m not your run-of-the-mill therapist.
I meet you exactly where you are and help you face the fears, anxieties, and self-doubt that keep you from being fully real. This is a space to process, be heard, and get the support you need to actually make the changes you want.

Your first session isn’t just about me—it’s about you. We’ll explore what brought you here, what you want out of therapy, and whether we’re a good fit. You get to interview me as much as I get to understand you. If I’m not the right match, I’ll help you find the therapist who is. Because your healing deserves that level of respect and honesty.

We’ll slow things down, make sense of what you’re carrying, and help you reclaim a steadier, more grounded way of living.

Our sessions can be real. We’ll talk about whatever’s on your mind—the annoying coworker, family stress, or the deeper, uncomfortable stuff you usually hide. I bring a sense of humor because sometimes laughter is the best medicine, even for the heavy stuff.

We’ll also explore mind-body approaches that might feel a little weird at first—and that’s okay. You’re in charge here. You lead your healing, and I’m just here to guide, support, and push when it helps.

I bring a sense of play and wonder into our sessions to help you get curious.

I work best with people ready to stop just surviving and start actually living. If you’re motivated for change and willing to dig deep, therapy with me isn’t a quick fix—it’s a real journey. I’ll walk alongside you, helping you build the skills to feel lighter, express yourself fully, and finally experience the happiness, confidence, and freedom you’ve been craving.

This isn’t just talking.

This is therapy that gets you moving, feeling, and actually living.

Clients say I’m warm, empathic, and a great listener—but also challenging. I show up fully and authentically, honest and genuine, and I own my mistakes. I’ll validate the impact I have on you, and I’m comfortable leaning into the uncomfortable—because that’s where real growth happens.

We can talk about anything: death, money, sex, deep desires, or longings you rarely share. I don’t shy away from the hard stuff, and I’ll help you navigate the unknown with courage, humor, and clarity. Therapy with me isn’t just safe—it’s real, raw, and transformative.

As your therapist, I walk my talk.  

  • I don’t just talk the talk—I walk it. I invest in my own growth, both personally and professionally, because I know it’s not fair to ask you to do the hard work if I’m not doing mine too.

  • I know firsthand how intense, challenging, and life-changing therapy can be. I’m down-to-earth, swear a little (or a lot).

  • I’ve faced my own hard stuff—overcoming it through creativity, grit, and persistence. Now, I help people like you not just survive but thrive..

    I love what I do, and I’m good at it.
    And you’re the reason I do it.

My Core Values

Therapy should be more than talking—it should be a safe, creative space where you can drop the roles you’ve been forced to play all day and finally embrace the real you. I commit to my own growth and learning so you can grow, heal, and reclaim your life.

Compassion

I’m here with you, not above you. I’m not here to fix you—I’m here to support you, sit with you through the hard stuff, and help you navigate it all without judgment. This is a partnership, and your voice, experience, and pace lead the way

Connection

You deserve real, honest connection—with yourself and with others. I’m 100% transparent with you, always. Together, we’ll build trust that’s solid and real, and through that connection, you’ll learn how to connect more deeply with yourself and the world around you. This work is about showing up fully—and finally feeling like you belong in your own life

Empathy

Honoring your perspective, hearing your truth, and shaping it exactly the way you want it heard.

Training & Education

  • BA, Columbia College Chicago

  • LMFT, MA, John F. Kennedy University

  • Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist, LMFT NC, 2014 WI #1086-124;  IL  #166.001453

  • Registered Expressive Arts Therapist REAT #2014 

  • EMDR Trained 

  • Gottman Couples Therapy Trained

  • Trauma Focused-CBT Certified

  • CHIMP- Certified Health Integrative Medicine Practitioner

specializing in:

Ready to dive in?

Invest in yourself!