Meet Melissa
My name is Melissa Moxlow Swan. I am a lifelong Alaskan who attended school outside of the state of Alaska while completing my bachelors degree at Gonzaga University. I completed my masters degree at the University of Alaska Anchorage in 2014. I worked at a local agency here in Anchorage to support youth and their families at a residential treatment program. I started my journey as a psychiatric treatment counselor while I was attending graduate school and then became an Admissions Clinician, followed by a residential clinician.
I left that agency in 2018 to expand my clinician skills set and began working with military youth and their families on Joint Base Elemendorf Richardson. In 2021, I joined A Step Forward Counseling and Consulting, LLC and became a Licensed Professional Counselor Supervisor. Throughout my tenure with A Step Forward Counseling and Consulting, I gained more experience as a couples, family and individual counselor in the private practice setting.
My therapeutic approach is eclectic and it incorporates elements of cognitive behavioral therapy along with solution focused approaches to assist you in learning how to face the challenges that can arise in life. My belief is that problems develop when something conflicts with your values in life. My goal is to assist you in understanding what changes you need to make in your life in order to live more harmoniously with your individual values.
I use evidence based therapy techniques that include: CBT, DBT, and ACT. I also use mindfulness and body awareness exercises to help determine the physical effects of stress on the body and what can be done to help you cope with those symptoms.
MEET JAKE
Hello, my name is Jake Chapman and I am a licensed mental health counselor in the State of New Mexico. I am currently working towards licensure as a licensed processional counselor (LPC) in the state of Alaska under the supervision of Melissa Moxlow Swan.
I chose to get into mental health a few years after serving in the military. When I was deployed, I had a significant injury, which prompted both immediate and follow-up medical care. But after the deployment I began to realize that many of my peers had taken even more significant mental health injuries which had gone undetected and untreated. So, I attended the University of Alaska Anchorage, earning a BS in Psychology before an MS in clinical psychology. I then attended the joint UAF-UAA PhD program in clinical and community psychology with a rural and indigenous emphasis, completing my clinical qualification by 2017. I ultimately decided against a career in academia to focus more directly on helping people, and instead split my time between running a veteran suicide prevention non-profit and providing outpatient mental health therapy.
My therapy approach is integrative, drawing on evidence-based practices such as cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT), Gottman's method couple's therapy, cognitive processing therapy (CPT), and internal family systems (IFS). I do not believe in a “one size fits all” solution for mental health, and instead adapt my treatment plans to your specific strengths, needs, context, and culture.
I work with adult clients from all walks of life who are looking for a safe and supportive environment to address their mental health needs. I have clinical experience working in military troop medical clinics, IHS clinics, community mental health, and private practice. My favorite populations to work with include military/veterans or first responders, folk living alternative lifestyles, and anyone who is ready and motivated for personal growth and positive change.
My goal is to help you develop the tools and strategies you need to live a fulfilling and meaningful life. Whether you are struggling with anxiety, depression, trauma, relationship issues, or any other mental health concern, I am here to help you on your journey to healing and growth.