About Me
Melissa Black, PMHNP
My goal is to take the time and provide a safe space for each individual who seeks care. If someone does not feel I am a good fit for them, I can help connect with other resources if needed or wanted. Compassion and safety for everyone is paramount. I don’t know if this makes me unique but these are the things that are most important to me as a mental health clinician.
Hi! I’m Melissa!
My name is Melissa Black, and I am a Lansing-raised Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner. I’m also a mom, spouse, sister, and daughter. I love nature, music, books, movies, and travel. I love to crochet, and to curate my spaces with comfort and calming. I value honesty and integrity. I value radical acceptance, wise mind principals, and a recovery-based mindset (and treatment platform).
My Background
I have been working in the mental health field since 2005. Prior to that, I had a caring role as a yoga and meditation teacher. I briefly planned to become a massage therapist and spa employee, but my desire for consistency and agency pushed me toward a job at CMH, and I have been on a strong path forward since that time. I worked as a residential behavioral tech for 7 years, a psychiatric RN for nearly 10 years, and have been practicing as a Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner for the last three years. As with many individuals who work in this field, mental health treatment is also close to my heart because of the impact that it has had in my personal life. I have strong respect and reverence for the human experience, and believe that we can all move toward healing.
My Approach & Philosophy
I have had a strong desire to help other humans for as long as I can remember. From a young age I have been a voracious reader, and developed interests early on in human stories, human problems, how our nature and nurture form us, and how we can use science along with mindfulness and other supportive healing strategies, to help. Over the last 20 years this drive to help with healing and balance in people has continued and grown.