Trust Your Inner Compass
Therapy
Associate MFT 124537
My Approach
About Melissa
I believe that good therapy involves an authentic, empathic connection between client and clinician. You can expect me to periodically check in with you about how you feel therapy is going to ensure I'm meeting your needs.
I believe that you are the expert in you and your experience. I will always defer to your expertise in our work together.
You are unique, so your therapy will be uniquely tailored to you. With that said, my approach typically involves exploring how social/cultural/religious messages have shaped your ideas about yourself and the problems you face. I am also a big believer in the mind-body connection, and so I will prompt my clients to check in with themselves to develop a stronger connection to their inner experience. I also believe in neuroscience, which informs my use of EMDR and mindfulness for trauma-related disorders and my support of using medication as one part of ADHD treatment.
I am passionate about empowering others to live their best lives. Whether you are struggling with ADHD, trauma, or religious recovery, I am dedicated to helping you achieve your goals.
I am a proud community college transfer student (shout out to Pierce College!), ultimately graduating from UCLA with a degree in psychology. I received my masters degree in counseling from CSUN, where I developed the "Thriving After Mormonism" group therapy curriculum for my thesis.
I am originally from the Pacific Northwest and so have a deep love of all things mountains and forests. Los Angeles is quite different from my rainy, moss-covered hometown! On my off time you can find me snuggling with my cats, drinking coffee, and watching documentaries.