Room to breathe,
and a way forward
Holistic therapy for women navigating change, relationships, identity, and the seasons of life that ask something new of you.
- Certified in perinatal mental health, PMH-C.
- Your pace, not a protocol.
- Red Bank, or wherever you are.
- Start with a free fifteen minutes.
Hi there, I'm Melody.
Melody Smith, MA, LPC, PMH-C, NCC · Founder, Sage Path Counseling Center
I'm a Licensed Professional Counselor with training in Relational EMDR, Perinatal Mental Health, and Dialectical Behavioral Therapy. I've worked with children, teens, and adults in inpatient, partial care, and outpatient settings, experiences that shaped how I understand resilience, relationships, and what it means to feel supported.
My work looks at the whole person, mind, body, and spirit. With roots in mindfulness and as a Registered Yoga Teacher (RYT-500), I may bring in movement, meditation, or creative work when it feels helpful. For those who want it, spirituality can also be part of the conversation.
Outside of work, I find a lot of joy in nature and time with my family. Both keep me grounded and grateful.
If you're curious about working together, I offer a free 15-minute consultation. We can talk about what you're looking for and see if it feels like a good fit.
There's more underneath what you're carrying.
You might be the person who keeps everything moving, shows up for everyone else, and looks like you're doing just fine from the outside, while internally feeling overwhelmed, disconnected, stuck in the same patterns, or simply not like yourself anymore.
At Sage Path, we believe therapy is a space to slow down, get curious, and better understand what's happening underneath it all. Together, we look beyond the surface-level symptoms and explore the experiences, relationships, patterns, and ways of coping that have shaped you, while also recognizing the strength, resilience, and wisdom you already carry.
We blend evidence-based therapy with mindfulness, somatic awareness, and practical work around habits, relationships, and boundaries. The goal is not to change who you are, but to help you feel more grounded, clear, and connected to yourself, while creating space for healing, growth, and new ways of moving through your life.
There is no one right way to heal or grow, and therapy doesn't have to follow a perfect path. We meet you where you are, build on the strengths that are already there, and support you in moving toward the life and relationships you want to create.
Healing is not only about tending to what has hurt. It can also be about recognizing how far you've come, reconnecting with your strengths, and continuing to grow into who you are becoming.
Our approach
We believe meaningful change begins with feeling seen, supported, and connected to yourself. Therapy is a space to honor where you've been, recognize the strength you already carry, and continue growing toward a life that feels more grounded, authentic, and aligned with who you are.
Meaningful growth starts with being honest about where you are. We create space to explore your thoughts, emotions, and identity without pressure to have everything figured out.
Change can feel vulnerable. We approach the work with warmth, curiosity, and respect for the courage it takes to slow down and look at what is really going on.
Healing happens in relationship. We create a steady, collaborative space where you can feel seen, understood, and supported through change.
You are more than what feels difficult right now. We build on your strengths and existing resources while creating space for greater confidence, clarity, and self-trust.
Your thoughts, body, habits, relationships, and spiritual life can all be connected. When desired, our work makes room for that whole picture and for the role of nervous system regulation in meaningful change.
Therapy is not about becoming dependent on someone else. It is about reconnecting with yourself, building practical tools, and moving forward with greater confidence and intention.
Areas we work with
Anxiety & Overwhelm
Anxiety can look like overthinking, tension, social discomfort, or always feeling on edge. Therapy can help you understand those patterns, regulate your nervous system, and find more steadiness in daily life.
Self-Worth, Boundaries & Perfectionism
We explore self-criticism, people-pleasing, perfectionism, and difficulty setting boundaries. The work is about building self-trust, confidence, and a kinder relationship with yourself.
Relational Growth & Communication
Relationships can bring up old patterns, conflict, and difficulty expressing what you need. Therapy can help you understand those dynamics, communicate more clearly, and build more secure connections.
Perinatal & Life Transitions
Pregnancy, postpartum, and major life changes can shift how you feel and how you see yourself. We offer support through these transitions with compassion, stability, and room to adjust.
Disordered Eating & Body Image
Disordered eating and body image struggles often have roots beyond food. Therapy creates space to explore those patterns while building a more compassionate and sustainable relationship with food and your body.
Healthcare Professionals & Burnout
Caring for others can carry an emotional weight of its own. We offer healthcare professionals space to process stress and compassion fatigue while strengthening boundaries and staying connected to themselves.
Cultural Identity & First-Generation Experiences
Family expectations, culture, and identity can become complicated to navigate. Therapy offers space to explore those experiences, redefine boundaries, and better understand who you are on your own terms.
Faith & Spirituality Integrated Therapy
For clients who want it, we offer Christian-informed counseling that thoughtfully brings faith into the therapeutic process. There is space to explore spiritual questions alongside emotional health and personal growth.
We see teens, sixteen and up.
Young adults still finding the shape of it.
Adults in the thick of it.
And particular depth through pregnancy, postpartum, and midlife.
Whatever season you're in, the work starts the same way, with a conversation about what you actually need.
Insurance and fees
Understanding what therapy costs should feel straightforward. Tell us where you are, and we'll help you understand your options.
We are in network with Aetna, so we bill them directly.
You pay your copay at the time of service. Coverage, copays, and deductibles vary by plan, so it is worth checking what your Aetna plan covers for outpatient mental health.
Or let us check for you. Your free fifteen-minute consultation can include a benefits check, so you know what to expect before your first session.
We are out of network, but your benefits may still cover part of the cost.
You pay the session fee at the time of service. We provide a superbill that you can submit to your insurer for reimbursement based on your plan.
Ask about out-of-network mental health benefits, your reimbursement rate, any deductible, and how your insurer wants superbills submitted. We are happy to help you understand the process.
Then it stays simple. You pay the fee, with no insurance paperwork.
Some clients choose not to use insurance for privacy, simplicity, or because their plan offers little reimbursement. Your care stays the same either way.
If the fee is a concern, tell us. Reduced fee options may be available, and we can talk through what might work.
$155 to $175
per session, depending on the service and provider. Payment is due at the time of service by credit or debit card or Zelle.
Common questions
How do I get started?
Send a note through the contact form or book a free 15-minute call. You will hear back within one business day. If it feels like a good fit, you will receive portal access to schedule and complete your intake paperwork.
How long is a session, and how often?
Sessions are 53 minutes. Most people start weekly and move to every other week as things settle. You and your therapist decide the pace together.
Do you take my insurance?
We are in network with Aetna and out of network with all other insurers. If you have out-of-network benefits, we provide a superbill for reimbursement. We can check benefits during your free fifteen-minute consultation.
Is virtual therapy as effective as in person?
For most of the work we do, yes. Some people prefer being in the office, while others feel more comfortable at home. You can also move between the two as your needs change.
What happens in the first session?
Mostly listening. We will talk about what brought you in, what you have already tried, and what you would like to feel different. You will leave with a sense of direction and whether the fit feels right.
What is your cancellation policy?
Your appointment time is reserved just for you. We ask for at least 24 hours' notice when canceling or rescheduling. Cancellations with less than 24 hours' notice and missed appointments are subject to the full session fee. If you reschedule and attend within the same week, the fee will be waived when clinician availability allows. We understand that life happens, and we aim to balance flexibility with respect for the time reserved for you.
The Red Bank office
Come in and
sit down.
Come in, get comfortable, and give yourself a moment to settle. There is tea and water if you'd like something to sip, cozy spaces to settle into, and blankets whenever you need one.
The Red Bank office
Suite 104, at the end of the hall, with parking on site. Serving Monmouth and Middlesex County.
Virtual across New Jersey
Secure video from home, the office, or wherever you can close a door. You need to be physically located in New Jersey for a virtual session. Sessions are the same length and fee, and you can move between virtual and in-person care as life requires.
Reaching out is the hard part
Send us the basics and we'll call or email you back within one business day. If you'd rather just talk, the phone is always open.
Red Bank, NJ 07701
We keep this form short on purpose. It is not encrypted, so we only ask for your name and how to reach you. Please don't include anything private or clinical here.
We can talk through everything else by phone or in the client portal, where your information is protected and handled the way HIPAA requires.
If this is an emergency, call 911. If you are in crisis, call or text 988.