Today we’d like to introduce you to Melanie Ryerson.
Hi Melanie, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
Like many therapists, I came into the field after experiencing the benefits of therapy firsthand. I grew up in a big family shaped by addiction, hardship, and loss. Those experiences taught me empathy long before I had the language for it. It also showed me how much hope and healing can emerge from pain when you’re surrounded by the right people and support.
I graduated from the University of South Florida (Go Bulls!) and, while teaching in East Tampa schools, I saw how deeply trauma impacts learning, relationships, and self-worth. Over time, I realized that to truly help my students thrive, I needed to go beyond academics and address the whole person — mind, body, and spirit.
That calling led me to pursue a master’s in clinical mental health counseling at UCF and eventually to found Gulf Grove Therapy in Tampa, a trauma-informed and inclusive practice that helps people heal, grow, and live more wholeheartedly. Today, I bridge my two callings, teaching at USF and leading a private practice, to help others turn their own stories of struggle into stories of strength. My journey has taught me that healing is never linear, but it is always possible.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
No, the road hasn’t been smooth, but it’s been meaningful. I’ve had to navigate grief, burnout, and the constant tension between wanting to help others and remembering to care for myself. Growing up with loss and instability meant I learned resilience early, but it also meant I had to unlearn over-functioning and perfectionism later in life.
Professionally, COVID hit when I was teaching full-time, going to grad school at night, and barely holding space for myself. Building a private practice also came with its challenges — learning the business side of therapy, setting boundaries, and finding the courage to build something authentic rather than perfect.
But those struggles have shaped everything about the way I show up now. They’ve taught me that healing work isn’t about avoiding hard things; it’s about learning to meet them with compassion, curiosity, and hope.
As you know, we’re big fans of Gulf Grove Therapy. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about the brand?
Gulf Grove Therapy is a trauma-informed, inclusive practice in Tampa that helps people heal, grow, and live more wholeheartedly. We specialize in anxiety, grief, and burnout recovery for helpers, teachers, and those who’ve spent a lifetime taking care of everyone else first.
Our approach is holistic and human. We believe therapy should feel safe, warm, and grounding. We meet clients where they are, honoring their lived experiences and identities, and help them build nervous system regulation, resilience, and self-compassion.
What sets us apart is our focus on wholehearted living. We’re not just helping people survive; we’re helping them reclaim joy, creativity, and connection. Our clients often describe therapy at Gulf Grove as “real, gentle, and transformative.”
I’m most proud that we stands for accessibility and authenticity. We accept Aetna and Optum (including Oscar, Oxford, and United Healthcare), and we’ve partnered with Mentaya to simplify out-of-network reimbursement for other insurance plans. We also offer both in-person and virtual sessions to meet clients’ needs.
At its heart, Gulf Grove Therapy exists to remind people that healing is possible, growth is ongoing, and you don’t have to do it alone.
Alright, so to wrap up, is there anything else you’d like to share with us?
If there’s one thing I hope readers take away, it’s that healing doesn’t have to look perfect to be powerful. Whether you’re navigating burnout, grief, or just trying to find your footing again, you’re not behind, you’re becoming.
Therapy isn’t about fixing what’s broken; it’s about reconnecting with the parts of yourself that already know how to heal. At Gulf Grove Therapy, we believe growth happens in community, and we’re honored to walk alongside people as they rediscover peace, purpose, and possibility.
So take the small step. Schedule the session. Rest when you need to. Healing starts with permission, and you deserve that.
Pricing:
- Individual therapy (with Licensed Therapist): $150 per session
- Individual therapy (with Senior Therapist): $175 per session
- Relationship (couples/family) therapy: $180 per session
- Co-Pays as low as $0
Contact Info:
- Website: https://gulfgrovetherapy.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/gulfgrovetherapy/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/GulfGroveTherapy/
- Other: https://substack.com/@gulfgrovetherapy
Image Credits
Claire Selius
