03/09/2026
Meet Melissa Sumerford, LCSW, a Licensed Certified Social Worker at Arise Psychiatry with more than a decade of experience supporting individuals, children, and families.
Melissa earned her Bachelor of Social Work from the University of Mississippi and her Master of Social Work from Union University. She primarily practices Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and works with clients beginning at age six, offering thoughtful, developmentally appropriate care across the lifespan.
Her professional background spans a wide range of healthcare settings, including the VA, homeless outreach programs, rehabilitation centers, and hospital case management. These experiences have shaped her well-rounded, compassionate approach to care. Melissa is deeply client-centered, meeting individuals where they are and guiding them forward with respect, collaboration, and understanding.
Melissa’s specialties include trauma counseling, grief counseling, and mindfulness. She is also an approved LCSW supervisor with the Mississippi State Board of Examiners for Social Workers and Marriage and Family Therapists, mentoring and supporting emerging professionals in the field.
Grounded in evidence-based practice and informed by her own belief in the power of therapy, Melissa brings warmth, expertise, and steady support to every therapeutic relationship. We’re grateful to have her as part of the Arise Psychiatry team.
