Melissa Layer, MA, LMHC

Melissa is an integrative psychotherapist and interfaith spiritual director in Port Townsend, WA. Her journey with breast cancer, as well as midwifing her parents, husband, and others through end-of-life, has potently informed her about how a broken heart may become an open heart. Melissa’s connection with Harmony Hill began 14 ago when she began volunteering as a house parent at cancer retreats and quickly transitioned to a faculty member. Melissa has more than 12 years of working with Hospice as a Bereavement Coordinator and Grief Counselor. In these roles, she provided individual support and facilitated community grief support groups. She honors our unfolding journeys through life’s challenges and transitions as compelling invitations for meaning-making in BodyMindSpirit.  She currently maintains a psychospiritual private practice; and enjoys presenting and teaching in the community and online, often utilizing expressive arts. Listening with the ear of her heart, she generously offers her compassionate presence.  Melissa’s personal delights include Trillium sightings in the spring; walking the oyster shell labyrinth on the Hill; camping and hiking; a daily practice of journaling and collage-making; belly laughs; cleansing cries; cultivating curiosity; and discovering the extraordinary in the everyday ordinary.