Melissais a highly experienced psychotherapist dedicated to serving individuals from all backgrounds while specializing in the unique mental health needs of first responders and veterans. She holds a PhD in General Psychology with a focus on Performance Psychology and a Master’s in Social Work. As a certified Animal-Assisted Interventions Specialist with additional credentials in equine therapy and yoga therapy, Melissa integrates innovative, research-backed approaches into her clinical practice.
Melissa’s extensive academic background as a professor allows her to share her expertise in psychology, trauma-informed care, and animal-assisted interventions with future professionals. Her research focuses on human-animal interactions, particularly the impact of mindfulness growth in pet owners compared to non-pet owners and the effectiveness of equine-assisted psychotherapy for veterans with PTSD. She remains actively engaged in advancing the field as the editor of the APA’s Division 17, Section 13 Human-Animal Interactions newsletter and through her involvement in professional organizations.
Commitment to First Responders- Melissa has dedicated her career to supporting first responders and their families, addressing the stress, trauma, and emotional demands of frontline work. With three years of personal experience as a first responder in EMS, she has firsthand insight into the sacrifices and challenges they face. Her specialized approach ensures therapy is both empathetic and relevant, offering tools for resilience, emotional regulation, and healing.
Service to the Veteran Community- For over 16 years, Melissa has worked with veterans and active-duty military personnel, initially through therapeutic riding programs and later expanding into equine-assisted psychotherapy. Her work provides a safe, non-judgmental space where veterans can process their experiences and build emotional strength. As a former military partner, she deeply understands the challenges veterans and their families face, ensuring her therapy is compassionate, personalized, and grounded in respect for their unique needs.
Melissa’s approach blends traditional psychotherapy with trauma-focused interventions such as Accelerated Resolution Therapy (ART), Somatic Therapy, and Animal-Assisted Services (AAS), ensuring that all clients—especially first responders and veterans—receive the specialized support they need to heal and thrive.
Lana Tadlock, LCSW
*Lana is not accepting new clients at this time.
Lana works as a clinical supervisor for the VA Alexandria VAMC in Pineville, LA. She received her Master of Social Work degree from Northwest Nazarene University in 2008 and completed her practicum at the VA Medical Center in Boise.
Lana has experience working with individuals dealing with depression, anxiety, Bipolar Disorder, SPMI, personality disorders, suicide ideation, autism, PTSD, developmental disorders, educational and learning disabilities, aging issues, chronic illness, grief and loss, and many other conditions. She uses various treatment modalities to meet each client’s unique needs, including CBT, DBT, solution-focused therapy, reality therapy, motivational interviewing, and addressing death and dying issues.
Her clinical background includes adult mental health, medical social work, inpatient and outpatient treatment, substance use issues, geriatric and aging, crisis intervention, justice and corrections, and children and family services. She has worked with both voluntary and involuntary clients.
As a clinical supervisor, Lana strives to remain judgment-free and empathetic, creating a safe, welcoming space to help clients and supervisees reach their goals. Life can be challenging, and everyone needs support along their journey. Change is not as daunting when you have a guide.
When she’s not working, Lana enjoys spending time with her family doing outdoor activities near the river or lake, including paddleboarding, fishing, boating, skiing, and snowmobiling. For self-care, she loves being the first one up, enjoying a cup of coffee on her porch in the mountains, listening to nature.
