Bio

Malissa Wood MA, LLP/LPC, NBCC holds a master's degree in Counseling from Oakland University with a specialization in Mental Health. She is licensed as both a counselor and psychologist, as well as holding the honor of being a National Board Certified Counselor.  Malissa has over 25 years of mental health experience in a variety of locations, including: hospitals, schools, private practice, and community mental health settings. She has held executive and leadership roles within her different capacities. She also has spoken on a variety of topics in the community and on the radio. In addition, she has written articles for local publications and would eventually love to write a book and develop a user friendly app for clinicians based on her creative techniques.

Malissa has been in private practice for over 20 years and has been featured in Metro Parent as one of the "Top Docs" in southeast Michigan as voted by her clients. Through her expertise she has established strong relationships with schools, doctors, and families throughout the tri-county area. Her valuable history in the field has made her knowledge base abundant and this assists her in the understanding of each of her clients. She continues to educate herself on the latest research and incorporates cutting-edge methods into her practice.

Bella Vita

Malissa founded Bella Vita Counseling on the principles she was taught growing up in a close-knit Italian family. Living your beautiful life, your Bella Vita, is the foundation of which her counseling center was built. Malissa uses innovative, evidence based techniques to help get the best out of her clients in treatment. Her "out of the box" approach is what make Malissa unique as a clinician. Clients have commented on how Malissa's relaxed, down to earth approach feels more like sitting with an old friend than counseling. Malissa's style as a therapist is creative and gentle yet honest and efficient. All her work is client centered and focuses on the clients' needs. She makes her clients feel at home by providing a nurturing and inviting environment. She feels passionate about treating each client with compassion and respect and learns from each and every one of them as she continues to grow as a therapist. She couldn't imagine another career that would be more rewarding. Our philosophy at Bella Vita Counseling is based upon the Chinese symbol for crisis. This symbol represents two concepts: the first being danger and the second being opportunity. Ultimately, the idea is that in every situation that presents a threat to our well-being, there is an opportunity to discover your beautiful life. This theory of resiliency that each of us possesses is Malissa's secret to empowering clients.

Services Offered

Bella Vita Counseling, PLC focuses on individual, family, parental and group therapies.  Malissa specializes in working with chiildren, adolescents, college-aged students and moms. We provide professional consultations and assessments to determine if counseling is right for you. Supervision services to those in the mental health field are also available. In addition, Bella Vita offers speaking opportunities on a variety of topics that can be tailored to your needs. It is also a priority to provide personalized referrals to area specialists, such as psychiatrists, occupational therapists and testing facilities, when necessary; to help compliment mental health services.  

Location & Directions

Bella Vita Counseling is located behind Cribar and Co. at 50515 Mound Rd. in Shelby Michigan.

It's your neighborhood counseling center conveniently positioned in the heart of Macomb (easily accessable from the tri-county area), yet discrete enough to promote your privacy.

Let us help discover your...

BEAUTIFUL LIFE!

Fee for Service

An investment in you and your family's future is priceless. Being proactive and beginning treatment now helps make results more efficient and permanent. Bella Vita Counseling is extremely affordable in the world of private practice. Rates are 25% lower than industry standards. At this time, insurance is not accepted. With rising health care costs there may be benefits of not utilizing your insurance plan:

~No limit to the number of sessions

~Frequency of visits is not governed

~There are no external restrictions on counseling

~More flexibility

~Increased protection of confidentiality

~Less forms and paperwork for clients

~Cost is comparable to some insurance co-pays

~Don't have to meet high deductibles

~Therapy costs a fraction of billed rates to insurances

~Family and parenting session have no additional fees

~All diagnoses are covered services

~Telehealth visits will continue to be available

*Long reciepts with diagnoses are available upon request to submit to your insurance company for those seeking partial reimbursement from their individual insurance companies*

Treatment Modalities

Malissa is an eclectic therapist meaning she draws from the best practices in each discipline area. Her methods include techniques from the following approaches:

Person Centered

Psychodynamic

CBT

DBT

Positive Psychology

Psychoeducation

Insight Oriented

Solution Focused

Play Therapy

Testimonials

"Bella Vita is a comprehensive facility that truly helped our family cope through a difficult situation."

                                                                                 - Father of 3 children

"My therapist at Bella Vita went above and beyond in my time of need".

                                                                                 - 43 year old female

"I found my beautiful life at Bella Vita!"

                                                                                  - 27 year old female

"I loved visiting with Malissa at Bella Vita, I learned so much about myself."

                                                                                 -11 year old client

"The services offered at Bella Vita were wonderful. To have someone who understands our unique situation and offer compassion and solutions was so much more than I expected!" 

                                                                                                            -Mother of a special needs child

Upcoming Events

We have moved to our new location:

50515 Mound Rd. in Shelby

Community Involvement

Malissa is an Advisory Board Member for Integrated Living Inc.

Malissa is currently a consultant on the development of an app (Music Bridge) to assist in the music education of children/adolescents.

Photos

Welcome

Therapy Room

Main Office

Contact Bella Vita

If this is an emergency, please call the Macomb Crisis Hotline at (586)307-9100 or proceed to your nearest emergency room!

Address: 50515 Mound Rd., Shelby, Michigan 48317

Phone: (586) 255-2482

Email: bvcounseling@gmail.com

Twitter: @YourBellaVita

Instagram: @bellavitacounseling

Tag Line

"Discover YOUR Beautiful Life"