Licensed to practice in California and accepts 67 insurances. Specializes in Anxiety, Depression, Trauma and PTSD and 10 more.
Melba Morales
(she/her)
I am a dedicated and highly emphatic therapist. My style is Eclectic therapy because it allows me to utilize multiple theoretical orientations and techniques. I have been exposed to different cultures, and I am grateful that I was able to connect with a diverse population from around the world. -------- Mi lengua Materna es Español y soy bilingüe (Ingles - español). Mi pais de nacimiento es Nicaragua y he vivido en California por mas de 40 años. I believe that each person is unique and their experiences and needs are also unique and that’s why I use the technique that will fit the moment and the need. I am very flexible and will explain what and why I am utilizing the approach at the moment. I believe that patients already bring the answers or solutions within and my job is to help them identify their strengths and to work through their weaknesses. I have been working in the mental health field for twenty years. My personal experiences have made me the person I am today and also helped me to connect with people’s experiences. I believe in what I do because I know that people can change their circumstances all they need is willingness and a conscious personal awareness. My strengths are adults male/female (relational, self-esteem, domestic abuse, family issues, vocational, work problems/stress, couples, PTSD, trauma)., anxiety, panic attacks, trauma - PTSD. I was born in Nicaragua and have been living in California for the past 40+ years. I connect and understand the immigrant first/second generation culture and the struggles they may face. I am fluent/bilingual in English/Spanish.
Get to know me
In our first session together, here's what you can expect
The first session is the Intake appointment, and the purpose is to open the case or to refer out. Some questions are asked so that clinician get a better understanding of the person's situation and how to support him or her more effectively. The session can be from 30 to 40 minutes (sometimes is 60 minutes). During the first session patient will get a sample of sessions (patients need to get an idea about the sessions and requirements). This clinician view herself as a guide, a teacher, a sponsor, a therapist or counselor and the purpose is to learn how to identify strengths and weaknesses and to develop effective coping, communication skills and problem-solving strategies including learning how to develop healthy emotional boundaries in all areas of life: social, professional or at work, interpersonal relationships, and marital relationships. Also, 90% of the cases we work in unhealed childhood or past traumas.
The treatment methods and tools I utilize
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, DBT, Solution Focus, Psychotherapy --Evidence-Based Interventions and I adapt to the person's unique needs at the moment.
The biggest strengths that I bring into our sessions
My biggest strengths are compassion, high sensitivity to people's needs, willingness to walk the extra mile, and ability to identify with clients' needs with honesty and humility because we are always learning from each other. I love to teach parenting skills and relational skills because I think that if I can influence one person in the family, that person will bring the healthy changes needed in the family dynamic and the positive changes will go on throughout future generations. I believe that my job as a therapist or counselor and I respect and I am grateful for the trust that people put in me when they share their most intimate personal experiences that I hold as sacred.
The clients I'm best positioned to serve
Adults - mostly female issue, family relational issues (no couples), childhood trauma, ADHD, somatoform disorders, domestic violence, grieving, adjustment, acculturation issues, issues regarding first generation vs immigrant parents/ caregivers adjustment; experienced in different cultures across the world.
Specialties
Top specialties
Anxiety
Depression
Trauma and PTSD
Other specialties
ADHD
Career Counseling
Family Conflict
Grief
Parenting
Peer Relationships
Self Esteem
Sexual Abuse
Spirituality
Women's Issues
I identify as
Christian
Hispanic / Latinx
Woman
Serves ages
Adults (18 to 64)
Elders (65 and above)
Licensed in
California
Accepts
Aetna
Aetna - ASR Health Benefits
Aetna - Allied Benefits
Aetna - Luminare
Aetna - Medicare
Aetna - Moda
Aetna - WebTPA
Aetna – HealthEZ
All Savers
Amerihealth Administrators
Amerihealth NJ Medicare Advantage
Arlo
AvMed
Blue Shield
Blue Shield of California - Medi-Cal
Blue Shield of California Promise Health Plan (Medi-Cal)
Blue Shield of California - Medicare
Independence Personal Choice 65 PPO
Independence Keystone 65 HMO
Carelon Behavioral Health (Commercial)
L.A. Care PASC-SEIU
L.A. Care Covered
L.A. Care Covered Direct
Sutter Health Plan
IHSS Healthy Workers
Cash - $127 per session
Centivo
Central California Alliance for Health (Medi-Cal)
Cigna
Cigna - HealthEZ
EAP:Cigna
EAP:Evernorth
EAP:UnitedHealthcare/Optum
Evernorth
GTEB
Gold Coast Health Plan (Medi-Cal)
Gold Coast Health Plan Total Care Advantage (HMO D-SNP)
Golden Rule
Harvard Pilgrim/UnitedHealthcare
Health Net (Medi-Cal)
Community Health Plan of Imperial Valley (Medi-Cal)
CalViva Health (Medi-Cal)
Health Plan of San Joaquin/Mountain Valley Health Plan – Medi-Cal
Humana - Medicare
Humana Dual (Medicare & Medicaid)
L.A. Care Health Plan (Medi-Cal)
L.A. Care Medicare Plus (HMO D-SNP)
UnitedHealthcare/Optum
Optum
OptumHealth Complex Medical Conditions
Oscar
Oxford
Partnership HealthPlan of California (Medi-Cal)
SFHP Care Plus (HMO D-SNP)
San Francisco Health Plan (Medi-Cal)
Santa Clara Family Health Plan - Medi-Cal
Scripps Health Plan
Sharp Health Plan
Surest (formerly Bind)
Tufts Health/Cigna
United Medical Resources
UnitedHealthcare Dual (Medicare & Medicaid)
UnitedHealthcare Life Insurance
UnitedHealthcare Shared Services
UnitedHealthcare StudentResources
UnitedHealthcare/Optum - Medicare
UnitedHealthcare Complete Care (C-SNP)
Location
Virtual
9 ratings with written reviews
April 2, 2026
Ms. Morales was a great therapist. During our talk therapy sessions she encouraged me to think about and talk about things that are bothering me, situations I can control versus situations I cannot control. She helped me look into myself, my feelings, to share my thoughts oppenly with her. I was very comfortable and truly miss her not being available any longer through Kaiser.
Verified client, age 55-64
February 28, 2026
Very warm and inviting, calm and understanding.
Verified client, age 25-34
September 27, 2025
I felt immediately encouraged by Ms.Melba. I am excited about my healing journey and grateful it will be with such an amazing woman.