Melanie D. Davis MS LCMHC NBCC
Founder
Melanie D. Davis MS LCMHC NBCC
Melanie D. Davis is a deeply respected psychotherapist, advocate, educator, and speaker, specializing in the treatment of trauma, depression, anxiety, and attachment-related challenges. With nearly a decade of experience in the mental health field, she is the founder of PLAE Therapy and the owner of Planted Healing Mental Health Practice, where she works with individuals, couples, and families to promote healing and emotional well-being. Melanie is also a co-founder of Continuum Mind + Body Collaborative, an initiative that integrates holistic, mind-body practices to support whole-person wellness. Her approach combines evidence-based therapies with experiential methods, helping clients reconnect with themselves and others in meaningful, life-affirming ways.
Melanie's expertise in trauma, depression, anxiety, and attachment extends beyond her clinical work; she has a unique understanding of how these issues affect individuals and families, particularly those navigating complex cultural identities. She brings a compassionate, trauma-informed approach to therapy, empowering her clients to heal from past wounds and develop healthier, more secure attachments. Whether working with individuals struggling with depression, individuals or couples facing anxiety, or families healing from attachment trauma, Melanie’s goal is to guide clients toward emotional freedom, healthier relationships, and a more vibrant life.
A highly sought-after expert on children’s mental health, cultural topics, and transracial adoption, Melanie frequently appears in local media. As an adoptee from a transracial family, she brings personal insight to her work with families navigating the complexities of adoption, race, and identity. Her unique perspective, combined with her clinical expertise, allows her to serve as a trusted resource for those seeking guidance on these sensitive issues.
Melanie earned her Bachelor’s degree in Sociology from the University of Utah and her Master of Science in Mental Health Counseling from the University of Phoenix. She also pursued advanced training in Nutritional Psychology at John F. Kennedy University in Pleasant Hill, CA. Her therapeutic interventions, particularly in the realm of attachment and play therapy, have been published in Attachment-Centered Play Therapy and Play Therapy: Proven Strategies for Childhood Disorders, highlighting her significant contributions to the field of child and family therapy.
PLAE Therapy, is an extension of Planted Healing, a mental health space she founded to support children and families in their emotional healing journeys. PLAE provides a safe, nurturing environment where clients are equipped with the tools they need to overcome trauma, build secure attachments, and develop the resilience necessary to thrive mentally and emotionally. As Melanie describes it, “When I think of PLAE, I see families that just need to be elevated, supported, and connected. Helping families feel capable and empowered to support their children toward optimal mental health is at the heart of what we do.”
In addition to her clinical work, Melanie is a former co-founder of the Black Clinicians Practitioner Group, a business therapy group dedicated to providing support and community for Black mental health professionals and advocating for cultural competency and equitable access to mental health care.
Outside of her professional life, Melanie is an accomplished artist and a proud mother of three. She cherishes time spent with her husband and children and is deeply committed to serving her community. Her personal and professional life reflects her values of connection, creativity, and holistic well-being.
Melanie considers it an honor to partner with her clients on their journeys toward emotional freedom, healing, and growth. With a trauma-informed, culturally sensitive approach, she empowers individuals and families to overcome challenges, heal from past wounds, and build strong, healthy relationships that last a lifetime.
Melanie’s creative therapeutic interventions have been published in Attachment Centered Play Therapy, Play Therapy: Proven Strategies for Childhood Disorder
FUN FACTS ABOUT MELANIE:
She is an accomplished artist
She is an active member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Inc. A Service Sorority.
She finds joy in serving her community in various capacities
She believes deeply in Dance Parties
IN THE MEDIA:
The third annual Living Color Gala honors the individuals and organizations working toward a more equitable and inclusive future for the state of Utah. Melanie was honored through her work with the PLAE Therapy.
A beautifully curated snapshot of the Utah INNOVATION ecosystem. In collaboration with Silicon Slopes.
A new book that highlights the stories and experiences of the Black community living in Utah. Brought to you by the Utah Black Chamber 2022.
The third annual Living Color Gala honors the individuals and organizations working toward a more equitable and inclusive future for the state of Utah. Melanie was honored through her work with the Black Clinicians.
The magazine honored the women paving the way for the next generation of female entrepreneurs and making a splash as women in business in the state that ranks the lowest for women holding leadership positions in the workplace.