MELISSA BENAROYA MSW, LICSW

MELISSA’s life purpose is to inspire PARENTS to be the best possible version of themselves. She continuously accomplishes this with COMPASSION, ENCOURAGEMENT, and EVIDENCE-BASED PRACTICES.

Melissa is a licensed therapist with more than 20+ years of experience working with children and families. Melissa has a Master’s degree in Social Work, is a Credentialed School Counselor, and is trained in Positive Discipline. She is also a Certified Gottman Educator offering the Bringing Baby Home Program for families with young children and workshops on Emotion Coaching. Melissa practices as a parenting consultant, coach, and speaker to groups and individuals by blending her clinical training with her knowledge of child development and discipline. In 2011 she co-authored the book The Childproof Parent.

She specializes in working with parents of children 1-12 years old because these are the foundational years in both a child's and a parent's development!  Most parents are just winging it as they go along.  Melissa helps parents become more intentional about their parenting and makes the process simple and easy so that families can focus on having fun together while fostering relationships built on mutual trust and respect

Her goal is to make family life easier and happier.  Her programs provide new perspectives and strategies for contemporary parents that inspire independence and foster ease in modern-day life with children.  She uses evidence-based techniques to help parents create the relationship they want with their children.

Melissa lives in the Seattle area with her husband, two teenagers, & dog Harley. She has little self-control when it comes to chocolate chip cookies and keeps her sanity with an active lifestyle of cycling and yoga!