Melissa Simpson serves as our Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC-A) at Rise Inspire Academy. Originally from Kaiserslautern, Germany, Melissa spent her foundational years in South Carolina. Post-high school, she embarked on a solo journey to the U.S Virgin Islands, where she spent her 20s sailing, soaking up the sun, and eventually washing up on the shores of 12-step program in 2016. After weathering early recovery and two back-to-back Category 5 hurricanes, she found herself in Texas, steadily pursuing her counseling career journey. She holds a master’s degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from the University of Texas at San Antonio and graduated summa cum laude at Texas State University with a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology and a minor in Sociology.

Melissa’s personal journey in long-term recovery is a crucial aspect that shapes her dedication to guiding adolescents at Rise towards a life of recovery from substance use. Her mission is to offer unwavering support, encouragement, and a deep belief in the inherent strength within each individual. Melissa is committed to creating a safe, nonjudgmental space that fosters growth, resilience, and empowerment. During her downtime, she enjoys thrifting, rock tumbling, traveling with her partner, and showering love on her hospice rescue dogs.