Melissa Banther

Melissa Banther

Marriage and Premarital Counselor, MFT (Marriage and Family Therapist)

Verified by Christian Care Connect

Marriage Issues, Divorce, Parenting/Children issues, Infidelity, Women’s issues

Offers telehealth

About

Are you and your partner feeling more like roommates than teammates? Maybe the same arguments keep repeating, trust feels fragile, or emotional and physical closeness has faded. You may still love each other—but feel stuck, disconnected, or unsure how to move forward. I believe every couple has the capacity to build a relationship marked by safety, friendship, passion, and lasting connection — even when things feel broken or distant.

________________________________________

For couples who desire it, I intentionally integrate Christian faith into therapy, viewing marriage as a covenant designed by God for connection, growth, healing, and purpose. I believe that growing closer to God creates a stable foundation for couples and families to build on, whether you are dating, engaged, estranged, or married. Then, couples and families can thrive and pass on healthier relationship patterns to the next generation.
________________________________________

I specialize exclusively in working with couples, including:
• Christian couples seeking faith-integrated counseling
• Dating, engaged, and premarital couples
• Married couples facing conflict, disconnection, or life transitions
• Couples recovering from infidelity or breaches of trust
• Families going through separation or divorce
• Blended families navigating complex dynamics

If you’re motivated to grow, heal, and strengthen your relationship, we may be a good fit.
________________________________________

My approach is warm, collaborative, and non-judgmental. In our sessions, we’ll move beyond surface-level arguments and identify the deeper patterns that keep you stuck. Using Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT) and the Gottman Method, along with Biblical principles, I help couples:
• Break painful conflict cycles
• Improve communication and emotional safety
• Build or repair trust and intimacy
• Strengthen friendship, teamwork, and shared values

You don’t need to have the right words—we’ll slow things down and work at a pace that feels safe for both partners.

________________________________________

About Me
I am a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT) with a Master’s degree in Marriage and Family Therapy from Liberty University and a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology with a minor in Christian Counseling from Liberty University.

I am trained in:
• Emotionally Focused Couples Therapy (EFT) – 2016
• Gottman Method Couples Therapy (Levels 1 & 2) – 2016, 2021
• SYMBIS (Saving Your Marriage Before It Starts) – 2016
• Prepare/Enrich – 2019
• Marriage Coaching – 2016
• Christian Counseling – 2012

I work exclusively with couples because I believe focused, specialized care leads to deeper and more lasting change.
________________________________________

Want to know more, Check out these links:

https://concordiacounseling.org/request-an-appointment

Want to know more about dating / premarital counseling :

https://www.prepare-enrich.com/couples/facilitator-map/ (Zip Code : 55901)

https://www.symbis.com/facilitator-map/ (Zip Code : 55901)

Provider details

Middle Name

Jean

Website

https://concordiacounseling.org/request-an-appointment

Clinician's Sex/Gender

Female

Handicap Accessible

Yes

Cities

  • Minneapolis
  • New Ulm
  • Mankato
  • Lakeville
  • Saint Paul

Counties

  • Hennepin County
  • Ramsey County
  • Redwood
  • Lyon
  • Saint Johns County

ZIPs

  • 55450
  • 55419
  • 55423
  • 55101
  • 55103

Teleheath

Yes

Psychosocial Evaluations (Non-psychologist psychotherapists)

  • 75-90 min

Individual Sessions

  • 50-60 min

Other Sessions

  • Couples Sessions
  • Telehealth

Psychological Testing

No

Ages

  • Adult (18-70)

Special Populations

  • Pastors/Missionaries and their spouse/children
  • Ministry Leaders
  • Vets
  • Pregnant
  • Other

Talk Therapies

  • Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT)
  • Relational
  • Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT),
  • Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT)
  • Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)

Strengths

  • Marriage Issues
  • Women’s issues
  • Divorce
  • Infidelity

Agree with the AACC Doctrinal Statement

Yes

Do you agree with the AACC Ethical Position

Yes

Biblical Integration – Verbally integrating Biblical principles, passages, doctrines, stories, and information into your treatment session

Yes

Do you utilize homework’s assignments for patients to do in between sessions?

Yes

What type of treatment approach do you utilize most frequently?

  • Solution focused approach

How direct is your approach with patients?

  • I share my insights, opinions, views and expertise with the patient

Cost Per Session

Evaluations

90 min Varies

Individual Sessions

50-60 min Varies

Couples Sessions

50-60 min Varies

Payment Methods Accepted

  • Other
  • Venmo

Accepted Insurance Plans

  • Anthem
  • Cigna
  • Aetna
  • Other
  • Blue Cross

Do you accept payment plans

No

Do you provide or work with an organization that provides loans for treatment

No

Educational History

    • School:Liberty University
    • Degree:Undergrad
    • School:Liberty University
    • Degree:Masters Degree

Years In Practice

5

License Numbers

    • Name:State License
    • Number:4573
    • State:
      • MN
    • Name:State License
    • Number:35002562A
    • State:
      • IN

Professional Associations

  • AACC

Which state(s) do you offer Telehealth

  • MN
  • IN

Do you agree that counseling is not fully Christian if a counselor’s faith shapes their posture but not their methods?

Yes

Do you agree that the deepest personal help a person needs cannot be fully received apart from faith in Christ, even through counseling?

Yes

Do you agree that Scripture speaks authoritatively to the deepest roots of human problems?

Yes

Do you agree that it is not appropriate to support or affirm a client’s chosen course of action when it conflicts with Scripture, even in the name of autonomy?

Yes

Do you agree that people do not possess all the internal resources needed for truth and healing apart from God, regardless of insight, support, or time?

Yes
Image-7.png

Provider log in

Log in to your account to manage your profile, access resources, view inquiries, and more.

Grow your faith-based practice — Join today

Join the Christian Counselor Network

If you are an unlicensed provider, you will be prompted to initiate a background check on the next screen.

c7df823d327d7dcc850207281f0f2946.jpg

Looking for more options?

Try expanding your search to the entire state. Providers licensed in your selected state can meet with you virtually through Telehealth.