Melanie Towne, CSW-PIP

Melanie Towne is a Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker based in South Dakota with 11 years of clinical experience. She holds the CSW-PIP credential, a clinical social work credential recognized in the state, and has worked across age groups and care settings to support people through a range of life challenges.

Her early practice included working with adolescents aged 10 to 17 in a psychiatric facility, and she has also provided care for older adults in nursing home environments. That varied background informs her ability to address needs across the lifespan, from youth navigating behavioral and legal systems to elders adjusting to health and role changes.

Melanie focuses on helping caregivers develop coping skills to prevent burnout, guiding people through grief and bereavement, and supporting clients as they adapt to life transitions related to aging or illness. She works with individuals facing depression, self-harm behaviors, aggression, and mood disorders, and partners with families to improve dynamics and strengthen relationships. Her experience also includes supporting youth involved in the court system and addressing issues related to chemical dependency.

Her practice is grounded in a person-centered, self-directed approach that emphasizes clients as experts in their own lives. Melanie integrates evidence-based methods such as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Solution-Focused techniques, and Narrative-informed work to build coping strategies and a coherent personal story. She conducts individual, family, and group therapy, collaborating with each person to set goals and build on strengths to promote meaningful change.