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Support When You Need it Most

 At Olive & Ash, we prioritize compassion and partnership, with safety serving as the foundation for sustainable change.
 

Rooted in Hope and Renewal

Compassionate Counseling Focused on Healing, Restoration, and Hope

Olive & Ash was created as a space for restoration, especially in seasons marked by loss, pain, or brokenness. The name itself reflects this belief. Ash often represents what has been burned, lost, or left behind, while the Olive branch has long symbolized peace, endurance, and renewal. Together, they tell a story of hope: that something meaningful can grow from even the hardest experiences.

Therapy at Olive & Ash is approached with patience, compassion, and deep respect for each client’s unique story. Healing is not rushed or forced, but supported through safety, connection, and steady care as clients move toward clarity, grounding, and renewed strength.

 

Couple standing together by a window, looking outward in a quiet, reflective setting associated with relationship counseling.
 

Collaborative Care

Our mission is to provide thoughtful, ethical, and compassionate counseling in a space where clients feel safe enough to be fully known.  We believe:

  • Healing happens best in an environment of safety, trust, and respect

  • Each person’s story deserves to be honored without judgment or pressure

  • Therapy should move at a pace that feels steady, intentional, and sustainable

  • Pain can be acknowledged honestly while still holding space for hope

  • Restoration is possible even after deep loss, betrayal, or trauma
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Couple sitting together on a couch, smiling and looking at a tablet for a virtual counseling session in a relaxed, supportive home environment associated with couples counseling.
 

The Heart Behind Olive & Ash

Meet our dedicated clinicians committed to creating a safe, supportive space for healing through thoughtful care, ethical practice, and deep respect for each individual’s story.

Melissa Anderson

LPC, LMHC, CSAT

At Olive & Ash, I believe healing begins when a person feels safe enough to be fully known. Many of the clients I work with come carrying stories marked by pain, loss, confusion, or betrayal—and often a deep longing for peace and stability. My role is to offer a calm, compassionate presence as you make sense of what you’re experiencing and begin the work of restoration.

I consider it a privilege to walk alongside people during some of the most vulnerable seasons of their lives. I strive to create a space where you feel seen, heard, and respected, without judgment or pressure. Therapy is not about fixing you—it is about helping you reconnect with your strength, your worth, and the hope that may feel buried beneath the weight of what you’ve endured.

Melissa Anderson Headshot 2 - Olive & Ash Counseling

BACKGROUND

I am a Licensed Professional Counselor in Texas, a Licensed Mental Health Counselor in Florida, and a Certified Sex Addiction Therapist (CSAT). My approach is person-centered and collaborative, meaning therapy is tailored to your unique needs, pace, and goals. Together, we work intentionally and thoughtfully toward healing that is both meaningful and sustainable.

I earned my undergraduate degree from Oklahoma Christian University and my Master’s degree in Professional Counseling from Liberty University. I have experience working with adults, couples, and groups across a wide range of concerns.

SPECIALIZATION

I have a particular passion for working with individuals living with mood disorders, including bipolar disorder. While bipolar disorder is a serious mental illness, it does not have to define or limit your life. With appropriate support and care, it is possible to experience stability, growth, and a full, meaningful life.

I also specialize in working with individuals and couples impacted by betrayal trauma related to sex or pornography addiction, as well as other forms of infidelity. Betrayal can shatter a sense of safety and leave lasting emotional wounds. I help clients understand trauma responses, regain emotional grounding, and begin the slow, steady process of healing and restoration.

VALUES

As a follower of Jesus, my faith informs the compassion, humility, and care I bring into the counseling space. I respect each client’s beliefs and values, and Christian counseling is available upon request. You are never required to share my faith in order to receive thoughtful, respectful care.

Outside of my work, I am happily married and have three grown children. My family spent 22 years serving in the United States Air Force, which deeply shaped my understanding of resilience, sacrifice, and perseverance. In my free time, I enjoy singing with the worship team at my church and spending meaningful time with family and friends.

 

Want to join our team?

We’re always open to connecting with thoughtful, compassionate clinicians who value collaboration and steady, ethical care. Olive & Ash offers a supportive environment with opportunities for growth, including clinical supervision for those working toward licensure.

Apply Today
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Trauma-Informed Therapy Options

We offer specialized counseling for individuals and couples navigating betrayal trauma, addiction recovery, relational pain, and personal growth. Our services are structured to provide both emotional safety and practical direction, helping you move forward with clarity and steady support.

Our service options include:

  • Individual counseling for trauma recovery and growth

  • Couples counseling for infidelity, disclosure, and relationship repair

  • Trauma therapy using EMDR and ART

  • Structured intensives and customized trauma packages

Get in Touch
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NOTICE OF COMPLAINT PROCESS

The Texas Behavioral Health Executive Council (BHEC) investigates and prosecutes professional misconduct committed by marriage and family therapists, professional counselors, psychologists, psychological associates, social workers, and licensed specialists in school psychology. Although not every complaint against or dispute with a licensee involves professional misconduct, the Executive Council will provide you with information about how to file a complaint. The Texas BHEC website is www.bhec.texas.gov. You may also call 1-800-821-3205 for more information. This notice is provided in accordance with Rule 884.31 of the Texas Behavioral Health Executive Council located in the George H.W. Bush State Office Building at the following address:
1801 Congress Ave., Ste. 7.300, Austin, Texas 78701.