My name is Dr. Melissa Valentina — and I’m honored you’re here.

As Florida’s premier relationship counselor, I specialize in helping couples and individuals rebuild connection, communicate with clarity, and create relationships that feel emotionally safe and deeply fulfilling.

You already have the wisdom, resilience, and potential to create positive change in your relationships. My role is to guide you through the patterns, conversations, and emotional undercurrents that often get in the way.

Let's Talk

I see you as more than the “problem” you’ve brought in. I honor the strengths you already have.

I help you translate emotional experiences into clear, actionable communication.

I want to guide you toward lasting patterns, not just temporary relief.

This is my story.

In my childhood, I experienced loss that made my teenage years feel confusing and foggy. I wasn’t sure how to handle the loss or the grief I felt and I wasn’t sure where to turn. No hospice or therapy were available to me. 
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As an adult, I sought therapy after more loss and it helped me to move through the experiences and grow from them. The loss of my dog showed me how close we can be to our pets. For many people, your pet is a confidante that knows you better than anyone else. 

Choosing how to honor yourself in hard or painful decisions is a life-altering experience. It’s one I navigated in my adult life several times and when my marriage ended, was a pivotal one. Divorce was a difficult decision for me. This event moved me to recreate myself. 

I am eternally grateful for the therapist who helped me heal from these life events. Gaining a new perspective on what’s happened to me has changed my life for the better. It inspired my desire to help others with their challenges.
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People say I am easy-going, committed to the process and to helping them heal.  
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My interest in mental health began in a psychology class in high school. I have been fascinated with the never-ending possibilities of people, and  I have worked in the mental health field since 2005. I’ve held a myriad of roles and  had a variety of life experiences that add to my personal wisdom and therapeutic knowledge.

​I’m a Florida native who has spent time globetrotting through personal travels and my service in the U.S. Air Force. Having experienced that journey myself, I’m passionate about supporting fellow service members as they navigate major life transitions. 

​I have lived in Greece and treasure the spiritual healing practices I was lucky to learn from in Brazil. Those experiences reinforced my understanding of emotional states and how they impact us all, individually and collectively. It was during my time in Brazil that I realized how each one of us affects and is affected by others in our circle of family, friends, and colleagues. 

“People say I am easy-going, committed to the process and to helping them heal. ”

Fun facts about Dr. Melissa Valentina

Globetrotter

Travel, travel, and more travel! I love to see the world and all there is to learn from its people and places. Where have you been? Where would you like to go?

New Spin on Things

In session, I try to bring new ways of seeing issues in life. New perspectives can have a powerful ripple effect across other areas of life that highlights our differences- and similarities.

Knowledge is Power

Learning is a life-long adventure for me. The world of mental and emotional health offers me endless opportunities to learn as it continues to unfold. There is always something new to learn about our lives, our world, and our perceptions.

What Sets This Practice Apart

Because your relationship matters.

I run a boutique practice, so I can give each couple or individual the focused attention they deserve. I am deeply experienced in relational dynamics, attachment, and emotional healing. I bring that expertise to every session.

My clients choose this practice because they’re ready to move beyond surface fixes and do the deeper work of connection, trust, and shared meaning.

Working with me means working with
someone who:

Sees you as more than the “problem” you’ve brought in—honoring the strengths you already have
Helps you translate emotional experiences into clear, actionable communication
Guides you toward lasting patterns, not just temporary relief

My Qualifications

Ph.D. in Marriage & Family Therapy – Nova Southeastern University

Licensed Marriage & Family Therapist (LMFT)

Over 20 years in mental health, specializing in relationship healing and couples work

Florida native with a rich background in diverse cultures, military service, and international living

What It Means to Work With Me

I run a boutique practice, so I can give each couple or individual the focused attention they deserve. I am deeply experienced in relational dynamics, attachment, and emotional healing, and I bring that expertise to every session. If you choose to work together, you will be consistently heard, genuinely supported, and clearly guided.

In this space:

  • Your voice matters. The patterns you bring, the questions you ask, the emotions you feel—every part of you is welcome.
  • You will be challenged with compassion. I don’t waste time, but I don’t push faster than you’re ready.
  • I provide effective, goal-focused couples therapy that moves at a pace that feels safe, supportive, and aligned with your readiness.

How I learned to help you: Education & Experience:

  • Ph.D., Marriage and Family Therapy -Nova University
  • Bachelors in Psychology - Nova University
  • Certified in Hypnosis
  • Over 15 years experience working in mental health

As a licensed Marriage and Family Therapist, I have worked with individuals experiencing anxiety, depression, grief and loss, relationship challenges, and trauma recovery, as well as with couples seeking deeper connection. Having served in the U.S. Air Force, I am honored to support fellow service members as they navigate their unique experiences and healing journeys.