About Me
Allow Me to Introduce Myself
Hi there! I’m Melissa (Meli) Rentas. I’m a Christian counselor, homeschooling mom, and wife to my wonderful husband. Together, we’re raising two amazing preteen boys in the Tampa Bay area. When we’re not homeschooling, you’ll usually find us at co-op, at church, enjoying a Disney day, or spending time together with our two fur babies.
1. My Career Background
I earned my Master of Science in Counselor Education, specializing in Mental Health Counseling, from Florida International University and have been serving individuals and families in Florida since 2009.
Over the years, I’ve had the privilege of working in community mental health, education, and private practice. My experience includes counseling adolescents and families, serving as a school counselor, and providing individual therapy to adults navigating anxiety, depression, ADHD, relationship concerns, and life transitions.
Today, my passion is helping women break free from anxious thoughts, challenge unhelpful thinking patterns, and find lasting hope through evidence-based counseling integrated with a biblical worldview. My approach combines Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Rational Living Therapy (RLT), and Christian counseling to help clients experience meaningful, lasting change.
2. Motherhood and Mental Health
Becoming a wife and mother changed my life in more ways than I ever imagined. After the birth of my first son, I made the difficult but rewarding decision to step away from my counseling career and stay home with my growing family. Looking back, it remains one of the greatest blessings God has given me.
Motherhood also gave me a deeper understanding of the emotional, mental, and spiritual challenges women often carry. Whether it’s anxiety, loneliness, overwhelming expectations, relationship struggles, or simply trying to do it all, I know firsthand how easy it is to feel exhausted and isolated.
Those experiences deepened both my faith and my passion for helping women find hope, peace, and practical tools to navigate life’s challenges. Today, I consider it a privilege to walk alongside women as they learn to renew their minds, strengthen their faith, and move toward the life God has called them to live.
3. A New Calling for a New Season
As my family entered a new season, God also opened new doors for ministry. Over the years, I’ve had the privilege of encouraging thousands of women through Christian mental health education, writing, and online resources. I love equipping women with practical, biblically grounded tools to help them grow emotionally, mentally, and spiritually.
Today, my primary focus is providing faith-based counseling to women across Florida through secure telehealth sessions. Whether through counseling, educational resources, or future courses, my mission remains the same: to help women find hope, renew their minds, and experience the peace that comes from walking closely with Christ.
Thank you for taking the time to learn a little about me. I hope you’ll explore the resources on my website, and if you think we’d be a good fit, I’d love to connect with you during a free 15-minute consultation.
Disclaimer
This blog is for informational purposes only. It’s not meant to diagnose or treat any mental health condition. If you’d like to work with me as your behavioral health therapist (ie. counselor), please schedule a session below. If you reside outside of Florida, please contact your church or insurance for a list of providers.
