Hello, I'm a Licensed Clinical Social Worker based in California. I have been servicing patients and families in a hospital setting for the last nine years and have the desire to extend my services to therapy. My goal is to help people grow and develop a strong sense of self in the journey to becoming the best version of oneself.
In our first session together, we'll start with brief introductions, then dive into the specific challenges you're facing. This will help me create a tailored plan for us to work through in follow-up sessions.
Empathic by nature, I will clearly express ideas, ask insightful questions, and tailor communication style to each client.
I would like to focus on helping those going through a life crisis, situation or issue(s), where I feel they can benefit from therapeutic intervention. Helping with adjusting to circumstances, processing internalized thoughts and emotions, and making sense of the world around us.
I identify as
Cash - $125 per session
Aetna
Aetna - Allied Benefits
Aetna - ASR Health Benefits
Aetna - Luminare
Aetna - Medicare
Aetna - Moda
Aetna - WebTPA
Aetna – HealthEZ
All Savers
Amerihealth Administrators
Amerihealth NJ Medicare Advantage
Anthem
Arlo
AvMed
Blue Cross
Blue Shield
Blue Shield of California - Medicare
Carelon Behavioral Health (Commercial)
Centivo
Cigna
Cigna - HealthEZ
EAP:Cigna
EAP:Evernorth
EAP:UnitedHealthcare/Optum
Evernorth
Golden Rule
GTEB
Harvard Pilgrim/UnitedHealthcare
Humana - Medicare
Humana Dual (Medicare & Medicaid)
IHSS Healthy Workers
Independence Administrators
Independence Blue Cross
Independence Keystone 65 HMO
Independence Personal Choice 65 PPO
L.A. Care Covered
L.A. Care Covered Direct
L.A. Care PASC-SEIU
Optum
OptumHealth Complex Medical Conditions
Oscar
Oxford
Scripps Health Plan
Sharp Health Plan
Surest (formerly Bind)
Sutter Health Plan
Tufts Health/Cigna
United Medical Resources
UnitedHealthcare Complete Care (C-SNP)
UnitedHealthcare Dual (Medicare & Medicaid)
UnitedHealthcare Life Insurance
UnitedHealthcare Shared Services
UnitedHealthcare StudentResources
UnitedHealthcare/Optum
UnitedHealthcare/Optum - Medicare
Cognitive Behavioral (CBT)
CBT is my most common practice due to its goal-oriented and collaborative approach that focuses on the connections between thoughts, feelings, and behaviors. My goal is to offer tools to manage thoughts and emotions effectively. Exploring the ABC Model within CBT. Addressing automatic thoughts and cognitive distortions.
Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT)
With EFT, my goal is to improve couple relationships by focusing on the physical and emotional bond. Helping people identify, manage, and accept their emotions, so that they can use that information to live more adaptively and harmoniously.
Humanistic
With this approach, the aim is to look at everything that makes a person who they are, focusing on their uniqueness and individuality and relationship with the world around. In my practice, this means being authentic, open, and genuine. Providing empathetic understanding, reflective listening, unconditional positive regard, and active listening. The goal is to help people develop a strong sense of self, explore feelings, find meaning, focus on strengths, embrace authentic selves, improve self-acceptance and self-esteem.
4 ratings with written reviews
February 27, 2026
Melissa is wonderful! She's so kind and really makes sure she's doing what's best for her clients. I look forward to our sessions every week!
January 29, 2026
Really enjoyed my session with Melissa! She genuinely listens (not many therapists I've had TRULY listened which is why I never stuck with it), and makes me feel heard throughout the entire session. She's focused on making sure I meet my goals with therapy and I'm looking forward to more sessions!
August 21, 2025
She has helped me so much already by providing ways I can redirect emotions and helping me go into things with a much better mindset. I feel like I go in with a clouded mind and leave sessions at peace and with good advice. Its easy to talk with her and she helps me find a deeper reason for my emotions.