Melissa Chairez
Hi, I’m a Licensed Clinical Social Worker who works with adolescents and young adults navigating anxiety, stress, and challenges related to school, college, family, relationships, and everyday life. I have experience supporting teens and young adults through difficult emotions, life transitions, academic pressures, and the challenges that can come with adolescence and early adulthood. My goal is to create a supportive and nonjudgmental space where clients feel comfortable, heard, and understood. I take a practical, strengths-based approach to help clients build coping skills, manage stress, improve emotional awareness, and feel more confident in their daily lives and relationships.
One of my greatest strengths is my ability to build strong, genuine connections with adolescents.
First session
In our first session, we'll focus on getting to know each other and creating a space where you feel comfortable sharing your experiences. I'll ask questions to better understand what brings you to therapy, the challenges you're facing, your strengths, and what you'd like to accomplish. Together, we'll discuss your goals and begin identifying ways to support your well-being—whether that's managing anxiety, coping with stress, navigating school or college-related challenges, improving relationships, building confidence, or developing healthier coping skills. There is no pressure to share everything right away; you can move at a pace that feels comfortable for you. My goal is for the first session to feel supportive, collaborative, and encouraging so that you leave with a clearer understanding of how we can work together to help you move toward your goals.
Strengths
One of my greatest strengths is my ability to build strong, genuine connections with adolescents and young adults. I strive to create a warm, supportive, and nonjudgmental space where clients feel comfortable being themselves and talking openly about what they’re experiencing. I also believe therapy can include moments of humor and lightness while still making space for difficult emotions and meaningful conversations.
Ideal clients
I work best with adolescents and young adults who may feel overwhelmed by anxiety, stress, overthinking, school or college pressures, relationships, family concerns, self-esteem, or major life transitions. Some of my clients know exactly what they want help with, while others simply know they’ve been feeling stressed, stuck, or unlike themselves lately. With my background in school-based mental health, I understand many of the academic, social, and family pressures that adolescents and young adults experience. I especially enjoy helping clients better understand themselves, develop healthier ways of coping, build confidence, and feel more prepared to handle challenges in their everyday lives.
Treatment methods
Cognitive Behavioral (CBT)
I use CBT to help you recognize connections between your thoughts, emotions, and behaviors. Together, we can identify thought patterns that may be contributing to anxiety or stress and practice more balanced ways of thinking. We'll also develop practical coping strategies you can use outside of therapy when difficult situations come up.
Solution Focused Brief Treatment
I use Solution-Focused Therapy to help you identify what you would like to change and develop realistic steps toward your goals. Together, we'll build on your strengths, recognize what's already working, and focus on practical solutions that fit your life.
Strength-Based
I use a strengths-based approach to help you recognize the abilities, supports, and coping skills you already have. Rather than focusing only on what's going wrong, we'll build on your strengths and past successes to increase confidence, self-awareness, and your ability to navigate challenges.
Supportive
I strive to create a supportive, nonjudgmental space where you feel comfortable being yourself and talking openly about what you're experiencing. I'll provide encouragement, validation, and practical support as we work through challenges and develop healthier ways of coping.
Location
Virtual sessions
Identifies as
Top specialties
Doesn't specialize in
Licensed in
- CaliforniaLicense 128076