I am an EMDR trained therapist who specializes in working with high functioning adults struggling with anxiety and OCD. I teach the techniques of Exposure and Response Prevention, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, and Mindfulness Practices to tackle the debilitating effects of anxiety and OCD. I see the therapeutic process as collaborative, and my goal is to teach my clients the techniques needed to live a life free of their anxious thoughts.
Client Focus
Session Format: Individual sessions.
Age Specialty: Adult, Young Adult
Demographic Expertise: Hispanic / Latino, Women clients.
Treatment Approach
- Acceptance & Commitment Therapy (ACT) Helps people accept difficult thoughts and feelings instead of fighting them, while committing to actions that reflect their values. It blends mindfulness with practical behavior strategies.
- Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) One of the most widely used approaches, CBT helps people identify unhelpful thoughts and replace them with healthier patterns. It is effective for anxiety, depression, and many other concerns.
- Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) Combines CBT with mindfulness to help regulate emotions, tolerate stress, and build stronger relationships. Originally designed for borderline personality disorder, it’s now used more broadly.
- Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) A structured therapy that uses guided eye movements to help process traumatic memories. It is widely recognized for treating PTSD and trauma-related conditions.
Fees & Insurance
Fees
- Average Session Fee 150
- Affordable sliding scale therapy: apply if you may be eligible.
- Sliding scale of $70/session offered based on need and availability.
- Accepts Insurance
- Aetna, BCBS, UnitedHealth Care and (Cigna in Denton only)
Education & Credentials
Melena Ayres LCSW-S, LCDC
- Female
- License # 63095
- Licensed in Texas
- Practicing Since 2016
Melena Ayres Practice Details
Therapy Sessions
- Available In-Person in Dallas, TX 75287 and Denton, TX 76201
- Available Online for residents of Texas
- Online Therapy Details: Via Simple Practice or Google Meet
Hi, I’m Melena Ayres, a therapist here in North Texas, and I work with adults who are feeling anxious, overwhelmed, or like they always need to keep it together for everyone else. Many of my clients are highly capable and successful, but inside, they feel stressed and stuck.
In our sessions, I help create space where you can slow down, sort things out, and feel more in control of your life — in a way that actually feels good, not exhausting. If that sounds like what you’ve been needing, I’d love to talk with you about how we could work together.