Mel Johnson-Norwood
Mel Johnson-Norwood (he/him) is pursuing a master's degree in rehabilitation counseling with a concentration in clinical mental health from Winston-Salem State University to become a Licensed Mental Health Counselor Associate and Certified Rehabilitation Counselor. Mel holds a bachelor's and master's degree in education from Alabama State University, as well as a doctoral degree in higher education administration from Auburn University. For over two decades, Mel has worked as an educator, primarily in higher education as a student affairs professional, where he was first introduced to the helping professions.
Mel's journey to becoming a clinical mental health counselor started with his own struggle when looking for a therapist. Before getting married, Mel and his husband sought counseling in preparation for their life together. As he searched for an individual therapist, he was looking for someone who identified as a Black man and, preferably, a member of the LGBTQ+ community. Despite many attempts, he was not able to find a counselor who was a good therapeutic fit and who deeply understood his intersecting identities. Being a personal witness to such a huge gap in the mental health field and knowing that others might be facing the same struggles, Mel decided to become the counselor he could not find.
As a counselor, Mel firmly believes that individuals are the experts on their lives. He places a high value on the therapeutic relationship as essential to achieving clients' goals. Drawing on his work at colleges and universities, Mel possesses a rich understanding of the critical role cultural centeredness plays in therapy. Aiming to create a unique experience for each client, Mel employs a mixture of person-centered, Gestalt (experiential), and solution-focused approaches to assist individuals in reclaiming and owning their power.
Mel works with adults of all ages, especially Black and brown men, college students, and members of the LGBTQ+ community. His work encompasses working with individuals experiencing career transitions, relocation, relationship issues, and physical disabilities. Mel's extensive background in student affairs has also equipped him to handle crises, suicidal ideation, depression, and life transitions.
