Meet Melissa Lillie, LCSW

Clinical Expertise
Melissa Lillie, LCSW (she/her), is a licensed clinical social worker practicing in North Carolina, Colorado, Virginia, and Massachusetts. She provides therapy for clients ages 8 and up, offering compassionate and evidence-based care across a wide range of life stages. With over a decade of experience, Melissa specializes in anxiety and other concerns including: OCD, BFRBs, Anxiety and Tics/Tourettes. She also has experience working with Autistic individuals. Melissa is extensively trained in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Inference-Based Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (I-CBT), Habit Reversal Training (HRT), and Comprehensive Behavioral Intervention for Tics (CBIT). She treats all subtypes of OCD, including harm-related fears, Relationship OCD, contamination fears, existential obsessions, “just right” experiences, and unwanted sexual thoughts. Having navigated OCD herself, Melissa deeply understands the shame, exhaustion, and frustration that can accompany intrusive thoughts. She brings empathy and lived insight to her work and is an LGBTQIA+ allied provider.
Education
Melissa earned her Master of Social Work from the University of Calgary in Alberta, Canada, and completed her undergraduate studies at Warren Wilson College in Asheville, North Carolina. She has worked in both hospital and private practice settings and has extensive training and experience supporting clients with OCD, Autism Spectrum Disorders, Tourette Syndrome, and BFRBs.
Personal
Melissa is an avid hiker and paddle-boarder who finds joy and peace in the outdoors. She’s a passionate traveler with an ever-growing list of places to explore and is happiest when digging in her garden, trying to keep her plants thriving. At her core, Melissa is committed to growth—constantly challenging herself to lean into discomfort, embrace uncertainty, and stay curious about the world.