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The Heart of Healing: Melissa Winston and 510 Counseling Group
In the quiet bustle of Grain Valley, Missouri, an unassuming brick office welcomes families seeking hope. 510 Counseling Group is the creation of Melissa Winston, a licensed marriage and family therapist whose own journey has become a mission. A wife and mother of two teenage sons, Winston brings over two decades of experience working with teens, parents and families[1]. After years in nonprofit and residential treatment (serving as COO of Shelterwood Academy and directing Teen Challenge of Oklahoma)[2], she founded 510 Counseling to meet a need she saw close to home. “We all can use a little help sometimes,” the 510 website declares – and the practice was built on that belief[3]. For Melissa, the goal is simple: help people find the very best in themselves, “even from the darkest parts of our stories”[4].
From Grain Valley to the Counseling Frontline
Melissa Winston’s path into mental health was grounded in family values and community service. She holds a Master of Science in Marriage & Family Therapy from Capella University and is licensed in Missouri (and several other states)[2][1]. Over the past 24 years, she has worked in a range of settings helping adolescents, adults and whole families overcome trauma, anxiety, grief and relational struggles[1][5]. Those decades of experience taught her that therapy must meet people where they are. As she puts it, therapy “should be a safe space to process and be honest about whatever you’re thinking and feeling without judgment”[5]. By listening first and offering guidance gently, Melissa helps clients find their own solutions. “Once we feel heard and seen,” she notes, “then we have the courage to go towards the healing we long for in our lives”[5].
Her deep commitment extends beyond the office. In 2023 Missouri Governor Mike Parson appointed Melissa Winston to the State Committee of Marital and Family Therapists[2], recognizing her leadership. She is active locally as well – serving as director of community service for the Rotary Club of Blue Springs, secretary of the Grain Valley Chamber of Commerce, and on the advisory board of the University of Central Missouri’s Marriage & Family Therapy program[6]. Melissa says that a thriving business community means stronger families – “kids going to bed with their needs met” – and she sees her work with 510 Counseling as part of that effort.
A Home for Healing: 510 Counseling’s Mission
When Melissa opened 510 Counseling Group, she aimed to create more than just a clinic; she built a home for healing. The practice’s name – “510” – stands for hope restored, and everything in the space reinforces that. Clients often describe walking in to a friendly office with warm lighting, cozy chairs and even a crackling fire, where they can pour a cup of coffee and wait in comfort. It’s intentional: “We hope that everyone who enters the doors of 510 Counseling Group feels welcome and safe,” the website welcomes. In fact, 510 positions safety and connection as the heart of effective therapy: as one page notes, studies show the main indicator of success is the bond between client and therapist. So “at 510, our providers show up with their whole hearts FOR you,” ensuring “you will find a place here where you FEEL safe”[3].
This heartfelt philosophy is reflected in every treatment plan. Melissa and her team believe people are the experts on their own lives and can build something beautiful even from pain[4]. They offer trauma-informed care for everyone from young children to older adults: “Whether you are dealing with trauma in your past, struggles with anxiety or depression, relationship issues… you’ve come to the right place. Together we can walk towards freedom and wholeness”[7]. In practice, therapists at 510 use a mix of evidence-based approaches – trauma-focused CBT, structural family therapy, attachment and mindfulness techniques, to name a few[5][8] – and they tailor each session to the person. As one client puts it: “Melissa goes out of her way to make sure I feel heard and understood.”[9] Over and over, families thank Melissa for creating an environment where they truly feel seen and valued. In their words, she makes them feel “in control of my thoughts” and offers “tangible resources to help me move forward” – a “safe environment” indeed[10].
Services that Heal
510 Counseling offers a broad menu of services, all under one roof. Clients can choose from:
· Individual Counseling: Therapist-guided one-on-one sessions for people of any age. These are often trauma-informed – meaning therapists carefully address past hurts and stresses – helping clients process emotions like anxiety, depression or grief. “All of us navigate hard things in life…we can walk towards freedom and wholeness” together with a caring therapist[7].
· Family Therapy: Whether a traditional, blended, or co-parenting family, sessions focus on improving connections and communication. “Family is one of the most important things,” the website reminds, and therapy offers “a safe place to work through issues without judgment as you strive to create safer, more connected relationships in your home”[11].
· Couples & Relationship Support: From pre-marriage counseling to addressing 40-year marriages, couples can work on strengthening their bond. Research shows healthy communication is a wise investment – “nearly everyone wants to be in a lifelong relationship…with 50% of marriages ending in divorce, being proactive is one of the wisest investments you can make,” the site explains[12]. At 510, couples explore skills to reconnect, improve trust, and find hope even when things are tough.
· Child & Play Therapy: Young children and teens often benefit from play therapy and expressive approaches. These sessions are specially designed to meet developmental needs – for example, smaller chairs, art materials, or supervised parent-child play – making therapy accessible and even enjoyable for kids.
· Specialized Treatments (EMDR, Safe & Sound): For trauma recovery, 510 offers EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) and the Safe & Sound Protocol (SSP). SSP is a short, research-backed program developed by Dr. Stephen Porges that uses music to reduce stress and sensory sensitivities. In just five days, clients often see significant improvements in anxiety and social engagement[13].
· Psychiatric Services: For those who may need medication support, two psychiatric nurse practitioners are on staff. They provide full psychiatric evaluations and ongoing medication management as a partnership in care[14]. New patients begin with a 60-minute intake, followed by regular shorter follow-ups.
· Support Groups & Workshops: In addition to therapy, 510 periodically offers group sessions (seasonal support groups, parenting classes, etc.) where clients can connect with others facing similar challenges, under professional guidance.
Each service is delivered with an eye to cost and accessibility. The practice offers in-person sessions at its Grain Valley office and HIPAA-compliant telehealth options for those who prefer remote care[15]. There are providers in-network with major insurers (like Cigna, Aetna, UHC) and an intern track where sessions can be as low as $40. Melissa emphasizes transparency about fees so that “therapy doesn’t create more stress during an already challenging season of life”[7].
Creating Safe, Inclusive Care
A defining feature of 510 Counseling is its client-centered, culturally attuned approach. Therapists at 510 are warm, nonjudgmental and listen deeply. “Melissa makes me feel seen and valued in a way that I didn’t know how to allow myself to feel before,” writes one parent, noting that the therapist “creates a safe environment” for honest conversation[10]. Another client praises how Melissa “is the perfect combination of relatable and professional,” helping them look at things from a fresh perspective and “build skills to make positive change”[16].
This empathy extends to clients of all backgrounds and identities. While 510’s website does not list every cultural competency, the team includes specialists in issues like addiction, trauma, LGBTQ+ and identity challenges, ADHD, and more[17]. By matching each person with a therapist who has expertise in their particular concerns, 510 ensures no one “feels judged or embarrassed to open [their] soul,” as a teen client gratefully reports[18]. From children with autism to grieving parents, the focus is always on the whole person – body, mind and heart – as a unique individual. As Melissa says, clients are “experts on their own lives,” and therapy is about empowering their strengths[4].
In practice, this means appointments may start or end with the client’s own chosen language, spiritual beliefs, or cultural practices. It means adjusting communication style to be clear and respectful. It even shows in details: simple touches like having coffee, tea or snacks available, letting a parent hold their baby during a session, or writing down key tools for English- and Spanish-speaking families alike. The result is an environment where clients trust that they will be understood. “She helps me to think about things and to reflect and not judge myself so harshly,” one client shares, crediting 510 therapists with helping them “unlearn patterns and behaviors that are no longer serving me”[19]. In every case, the goal is to foster empowerment and dignity.
Anchored in the Kansas City Community
Though based in Grain Valley, 510 Counseling has quickly become woven into the fabric of the Kansas City area. The practice’s reach is broad: they serve families from across Jackson and neighboring counties, with clients driving in for in-person therapy or logging on for telehealth sessions. Melissa and her team also regularly participate in lo
s at community health fairs and partnered with schools and churches to destigmatize mental health.)
A recent 510 Counseling Group review from Jessica B. says this:
I seen Laura for the first time a couple weeks ago she is amazing she helped me so much. She listens and she cares. Im so glad glad I switched to 510 counseling group. This is the best i have ever felt. I would give this place 10 stars 🌟
Locally, their efforts have drawn recognition. In 2022, 510 was a finalist for “Best Mental Health Provider” in the Kansas City Metro’s Best of KC awards[20]. In 2023 and 2024 they were finalists for Best in Eastern Jackson County as well. Even more important, families themselves have celebrated the difference. One father’s testimonial calls 510 “the place” where “a dedicated and gifted counselor…has a passion to help others reach their best emotional self”[21]. This community-first ethos is mirrored by Melissa’s personal commitments. In addition to her Chamber and Rotary roles, she mentors new therapists – at 510 and through local universities – and sponsors therapy for clients in crisis when needed. The goal is to make quality mental health care a neighborhood resource, not a distant option.
A Vision for Whole-Person Wellness
For Melissa Winston, success is measured one story at a time. She envisions a future where people leave therapy more whole, resilient, and connected. “All people have the capacity to change,” she asserts – that by each working toward our own wholeness, we create deeper, more meaningful relationships[22]. Even “the most broken and painful relationships” can have hope, she says, if individuals are willing to do the work on themselves[22]. This belief in sustainable healing shapes every program at 510 Counseling.
Clients often talk about how their sessions leave them hopeful. One recent client noted that her sessions with Melissa “give me hope,” equipping her with skills for positive change[16]. That echoes Melissa’s own philosophy: therapy isn’t about quick fixes, but about building a life where needs are met and talents are realized. Whether it’s a grieving daughter learning to cope, a couple rekindling communication, or a teen discovering self-worth, Winston’s vision is clear. She hopes to see “stronger families where kids are going to bed with their needs met,” believing that when people heal from the inside out, whole communities thrive[23][4].
Across Kansas City’s diverse neighborhoods, 510 Counseling Group stands as a testament to this vision. Under Melissa Winston’s leadership, the practice remains warm and personal, grounded in evidence-based care and the unwavering belief that each person’s story matters. In her own words and in the voices of the families she serves, the message is clear: healing happens together, one caring conversation at a time[5][10].
You can visit their Facebook and LinkedIn pages below at:
https://www.facebook.com/510Counseling/
https://www.linkedin.com/company/510counseling/
As this video makes clear, Melissa Winston’s work is not just about explaining trauma — it’s about giving people the language, clarity, and compassion they need to begin healing. Her “Brain Drawing” is more than a teaching tool; it reflects the heart of 510 Counseling Group itself: a place where people feel safe, understood, and empowered to move forward. After decades of serving families across the Kansas City area, Melissa continues to remind us that healing is possible, hope is real, and no one has to walk through their story alone. Whether someone steps into 510 for support, for understanding, or simply to feel heard, they are met with a team committed to their whole-person wellbeing — one caring conversation at a time.
Sources: Information summarized from the 510 Counseling Group website and related profiles of Melissa Winston[1][3][7][11][4][10][9][5][15][24], among others. (Testimonial quotes and details are drawn from publicly posted client reviews on the 510counseling.com site.)
[1] [5] [8] [17] [22] Melissa Winston - LMFT | Headway
https://care.headway.co/providers/melissa-winston
[2] [6] [24] Quick News - Grain Valley News
[3] [9] [10] [14] [15] [16] [18] [19] [21] 510 Counseling Group – (816) 443-5279
[4] [20] About 510 – 510 Counseling Group
https://510counseling.com/about-me/
[7] [11] [12] [13] Financial Info – 510 Counseling Group
https://510counseling.com/financial-info/
[23] Melissa Winston
https://www.growgrainvalley.org/Melissa-Winston
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