Licensed to practice in California and accepts 37 insurances. Specializes in Anxiety, Couples Counseling, Depression and 10 more.
Melissa Erb
(she/her)
About me
My name is Melissa Erb, PsyD Candidate, LCSW. I am a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) based in San Diego, California, and a current Clinical Psychology doctoral candidate specializing in neuropsychology. I provide therapy to clients statewide through telehealth, working with adults and adolescents who are managing anxiety, depression, and life transitions. Using Psychodynamic and Mindfulness Therapy helps me meet clients where they are, creating an approach that allows them to begin at a comfortable pace. My approach is not one-size-fits-all; we'll work together to navigate a path for your progress. I most frequently use Mindfulness Therapy, which focuses on learning how to be more aware of thoughts, feelings, emotions, and surroundings, and to reduce automatic responses. I meet clients where they are at and honor you as the expert of your story.
Get to know me
In our first session together, here's what you can expect
During the first session, we meet to discuss how you're feeling and what brought you to therapy. As you share what's been happening recently, I'll ask follow-up questions to get a sense of what would work best for you. My approach to therapy is grounded in compassion, collaboration, and evidence-based practice. Healing begins when clients feel truly seen and understood, so I work to create a warm, nonjudgmental, and empowering space. Together, we move at a pace that feels comfortable and sustainable, creating a safe and collaborative space for growth.
The biggest strengths that I bring into our sessions
What makes me unique as a therapist is the combination of lived experience, emotional depth, and clinical intention that I bring into the room. I do not rely solely on theory—I integrate insights with real-world understanding of change, resilience, and complexity. Having navigated significant life transitions myself, including cultural shifts and relational challenges, I sit with clients in a way that feels grounded and genuine. Clients often sense that I am not easily shaken and that I can hold intensity without rushing to fix or minimize it. My experience as a therapist has shaped me into someone who values depth over quick solutions. I am comfortable exploring attachment patterns, relational wounds, and the unconscious themes that quietly influence behavior. At the same time, I remain practical and attentive to the client’s goals. I balance warmth with structure, and empathy with clarity. I am not afraid of silence, vulnerability, or strong emotion, and I see the therapeutic relationship itself as a powerful vehicle for change.
The clients I'm best positioned to serve
I work with adults and young adults facing difficult life transitions—intimate breakups, divorce, career changes, loss, or financial strains—that lead to anxiety, depression, stress, and at times suicidal ideation. I focus on building skills using brief crisis interventions or helping you develop a more positive and hopeful outlook. I meet clients where they are at and honor you as the expert of your story. My style is open, non-judgmental, transparent, and patient. It's most important that a safe space is created so you can feel comfortable being transparent without judgment.
Specialties
Top specialties
Anxiety
Couples Counseling
Depression
Other specialties
Anger Management
Coping Skills
Crisis Intervention
Family Therapy
Grief
Parenting
Postpartum
Self Esteem
Sex Therapy
Women's Issues
Identifies as
Woman
Serves ages
Adults (18 to 64)
Elders (65 and above)
Teenagers (13 to 17)
Licensed in
California
Accepts
Aetna
Aetna - ASR Health Benefits
Aetna - Allied Benefits
Aetna - Luminare
Aetna - Moda
Aetna - WebTPA
Aetna – HealthEZ
Amerihealth Administrators
Anthem
Blue Cross
Independence Administrators
Independence Blue Cross
Arlo
Blue Shield
Carelon Behavioral Health (Commercial)
Sutter Health Plan
IHSS Healthy Workers
Cash - $160 per session
Centivo
Central California Alliance for Health (Medi-Cal)
Cigna
Cigna - HealthEZ
EAP:Cigna
EAP:Evernorth
Evernorth
GTEB
Gold Coast Health Plan (Medi-Cal)
Health Plan of San Joaquin/Mountain Valley Health Plan – Medi-Cal
L.A. Care PASC-SEIU
L.A. Care Covered
L.A. Care Covered Direct
L.A. Care Health Plan (Medi-Cal)
Partnership HealthPlan of California (Medi-Cal)
San Francisco Health Plan (Medi-Cal)
Santa Clara Family Health Plan - Medi-Cal
Scripps Health Plan
Tufts Health/Cigna
Location
Virtual
My treatment methods
Psychodynamic
In my practice, I use a psychodynamic approach to help clients explore how past relationships and early experiences may influence their current emotions, behaviors, and relational patterns. I pay close attention to recurring themes, attachment styles, defenses, and unconscious processes that emerge both in their stories and within the therapeutic relationship itself. By gently exploring these patterns, I help clients develop insight into how unresolved conflicts or unmet needs may still be shaping their present lives. My goal when working with clients is not only symptom relief but also deeper, lasting change through increased self-awareness, emotional integration, and a stronger sense of internal coherence.
2 ratings with written reviews
March 12, 2026
I don't think 5 stars are enough for Melissa. After my first session with her last week, I ended it thinking "Wow, that was incredible. I feel like a million bucks right now." Today will be our second session, and already within the week from my last session I have already told two people how much better I have been feeling.
Verified client, age 25-34
March 5, 2026
I chose Melissa after I read her bio and interest in therapy as well as what she specializes in. I found her very easy to speak to where I felt comfortable with her and I feel like she can satisfy my needs for therapy. She Overall has a very appealing way about her to say the least.