LICENSED MARRIAGE AND FAMILY THERAPIST

Melissa is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist. She obtained her M.A. in Counseling Psychology with a special emphasis in Marriage and Family Therapy from National University, San Diego. She earned her B.A. in Philosophy from Cal State University Los Angeles. She is Seeking Safety certified, EMDR and Mindfulness Mediation trained. Melissa has years of experience in working with social and culturally sensitive populations.

Through the years, Melissa has worked with children, adolescents, families and adults diagnosing as well as treating those with trauma related disorders, eating disorders, psychosis, personality and mood disorders. Melissa has an extensive history in working with neurodivergent individuals and those struggling with identity and sexual orientation concerns.

Professionally, Melissa has worked in crises stabilization with San Bernardino and Los Angeles County where she managed a small treatment team unit in the community. She was a managing clinician for a small residential LGBTQIA friendly home in San Bernardino County for the TAY population. She has worked in residential, PHP and IOP levels of care specializing in providing services to adult females with server eating disorders and extensive trauma history. Melissa’s professional growth as fueled her emphasis for the importance of treating the whole person as mental health is multi-faceted. Melissa’s therapeutic approach is often person centered with a humanistic/existentialist nature. Melissa values authenticity and believes this approach leads to true healing of the whole person.

“I do my thing and you do your thing. I am not in this world to live up to your expectations, and you are not in this world to live up to mine. You are you and I am I; If by chance we find each other, it’s beautiful.”

                                - A Gestalt Prayer