If you had told Melissa Seymour (Major), LMHC-D, Master CASAC, back in high school that she would one day earn a master’s degree and build a career helping others navigate some of life’s most difficult challenges, she might not have believed you. Like many graduates, Seymour would soon discover that life after high school doesn’t always follow a straight line. Sometimes, it’s a journey of self-discovery, shaped by new interests, unexpected opportunities, and the people who help us recognize our potential.
Today, this 2010 graduate has found her calling in mental health and substance use treatment. Through her administrative role at Helio Health, her service on the New York State Office of Addiction Services and Supports (OASAS) Credentials Board, and her counseling practice, Seymour has built a career centered on helping others navigate some of life’s most difficult moments. It’s work she finds deeply rewarding and a mission she doesn’t take lightly. And while her path may not have been clear from the start, the seeds of her passion for helping others were planted long before she entered the professional world - right here in Spartan Country.
Whether it was art classes with Mrs. Chianis and Mr. Salati, English with Mr. Lorenz, or the support of Mrs. Baggerman, who was “always willing to help when math proved challenging,” Seymour looks back fondly on the teachers and experiences that helped shape her time at Maine-Endwell. She also played soccer and lacrosse throughout high school and remembers the middle school guidance staff fondly, including Mrs. Maney, Mrs. Zunic and, of course, her mother, Mrs. Major, the guidance secretary.
With her mom working in the district, Maine-Endwell was always a big part of Seymour’s family life. The relationships she built as a student, along with the encouragement she received from her teachers, helped shape the person she would become.
After graduating in 2010, Seymour attended SUNY Broome for two years. Although her future wasn’t clear from the start, she discovered a strong interest in psychology and eventually transferred to the University at Albany. There, she majored in psychology and philosophy while minoring in English before continuing her education and earning a master’s degree in mental health counseling.
Looking back, Seymour recognizes how much her path differed from what she might have expected as a teenager.
“Honestly, I struggled with math and I definitely wasn’t a straight-A student in high school. If you had told me back then that I would eventually have a master’s degree, I probably wouldn’t have believed you,” said Seymour.
Her experience taught her that success isn’t about having every answer from the beginning. Sometimes, it comes from the willingness to explore new interests and accept the encouragement of people who see your potential.
“I didn’t have everything figured out, but I had great teachers and professors who believed in me and helped guide me along the way,” said Seymour.
It’s a lesson that would become especially meaningful as Seymour found her way into a profession dedicated to helping others.
Her interest in psychology and understanding human behavior eventually led her to mental health and substance use services. After college, she worked in a day program in Albany serving people with serious mental illness, followed by a position in outpatient mental health care. She later returned home to Endwell, where she began working in inpatient substance use treatment.
Through these experiences, Seymour discovered her passion for helping people who may feel lost, alone or uncertain about where to turn.
“I have always wanted to help people, especially those who may feel lost or like they don’t know where to turn. I want people to know that they are important, they are not alone, and there are people who are here to help,” said Seymour.
She continued, “There is still so much stigma surrounding mental health and addiction, and I’m grateful to be part of a field that works to reduce that stigma and help people get the support they need.”
Today, Seymour works in an administrative role at Helio Health, helping support clinical operations and the delivery of care across locations throughout New York State, including Binghamton, Syracuse, Rochester, Utica and Albany. Her responsibilities include professional training and education, policy and regulation review, clinical consultation, quality improvement, and supporting clinical teams.
While her responsibilities extend beyond direct counseling, the purpose behind her work remains the same: helping people and supporting those who care for them.
“I really love my job. I love meeting new people, hearing their stories, and being a small part of their journey. Whether I’m working directly with someone in counseling, supporting a clinician, providing training, or helping improve the way we deliver care, I know the work we do matters,” said Seymour.
Seymour’s commitment to the field extends beyond her work at Helio Health. She also serves as a member of the New York State OASAS Credentials Board and maintains a part-time private practice, providing counseling services to adults.
Her appointment to the Credentials Board gives her another opportunity to contribute to a profession that has become such an important part of her life. Through the board, she helps support the next generation of professionals entering fields that include substance use prevention and problem gambling services.
“It’s really exciting to be part of the OASAS Credentials Board. I have always loved education and teaching, so in addition to clinical counseling and leadership, I really enjoy having a role in supporting the next generation of professionals entering the field. It’s a great opportunity to give back to a field that has given me so much,” said Seymour.
It’s a fitting extension of the journey that brought her here. Just as Seymour benefited from teachers and professors who helped her discover her potential, she now has opportunities to guide and support others as they begin their own professional journeys.
In many ways, Seymour’s career reflects the guidance and encouragement she received throughout her own journey. And while her professional path has taken her to different parts of New York, her connection to the community where it all began has remained strong.
In 2019, Seymour and her husband moved back to the area. Today, her son attends Homer Brink Elementary School - the same school she attended as a child.
For someone whose own journey was shaped by the people and community around her, seeing her children grow up in that same environment makes her connection to Maine-Endwell even more meaningful.
“It’s really special to be back in the area and to have my own kids growing up and attending such a great school system. It feels like a pretty full-circle moment,” said Seymour.
As she reflects on her time at Maine-Endwell, Seymour recognizes that success doesn't require being perfect at everything. A willingness to learn, try new things, meet new people and keep moving forward can open doors that once seemed out of reach.
“I think that lesson has stayed with me throughout my career. You don’t have to have everything figured out at 18,” said Seymour.
It’s advice she hopes today’s Spartans will take to heart.
“Have fun and be open to trying new things! Try not to worry too much about having your entire future figured out. It’s okay if you don’t know exactly what you want to do yet. Give yourself opportunities to explore, learn, and change your mind,” said Seymour.
Seymour may not have known in high school exactly where life would take her, but the values she carried forward - learning, perseverance and helping others - have guided her along the way. Today, she has the opportunity to watch her own children grow up in the community that helped shape her, continuing a family connection to Maine-Endwell that began long before she knew where her journey would lead.