Therapy is a place where you can show up as you are, without judgment or pressure to have everything figured out. My goal is to create a space where you feel safe enough to be honest, understood enough to explore difficult experiences, and supported enough to create meaningful change. My name is Arakel Aristakessian, MS, LPCC, NCC, CCMHC, a licensed therapist with experience in community mental health, higher education counseling, and rehabilitation settings. I earned my bachelor's degrees in Social Welfare and Spanish Language & Literature from UC Berkeley and my Master of Science in Counseling, with emphases in College Counseling/Student Services and Clinical Counseling, from California State University, Northridge. I work with adults navigating anxiety, depression, trauma, relationship challenges, identity development, family conflict, and major life transitions. As a first-generation American of Armenian immigrants, I understand how culture, family expectations, and identity can shape the way we experience ourselves and our relationships. I provide therapy in English, Spanish, and Armenian, and strive to offer care that is culturally responsive, affirming, and tailored to each person's unique experiences. My communication style is warm, respectful, and collaborative. I aim to create a safe, supportive space where you feel heard and understood. I believe meaningful change begins with understanding the deeper patterns behind our thoughts, emotions, and relationships. My role isn't to judge your past or tell you who you should become, but to help you better understand yourself with curiosity and compassion so that shame loses its power and lasting growth becomes possible.

I am Brandy Stewart, a licensed clinical social worker in California with 19 years of clinical experience serving children, adolescents, transition age youth, adults and families. I help individuals who struggle with managing relationship issues resolve interpersonal conflicts to promote healthy overall functioning. I also help people manage emotional distress and conflict, as they heal from the past, in order to achieve a greater wellbeing.

For over 10 years, my work spanned from court advocacy to case management for immigrant and underserved communities in Los Angeles. I have worked in community mental health providing culturally responsive therapeutic services including harm reduction and crisis counseling. Rooted in social justice, my work as a therapist is an extension of my passion in helping others empower themselves and assist in their healing journey.

Hello! I’m Yasaman Sharifi, Licensed Family and Marriage Family Therapist (LMFT), a dedicated mental health professional with a passion for helping individuals navigate their challenges through Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT). With a focus on fostering self-awareness and resilience, I work collaboratively with clients to identify and reshape negative thought patterns, develop effective coping strategies, and achieve their personal therapy goals. I address the roots and underlining issues to assist individual with faster recovery with the current problems. Whether you’re facing anxiety, depression, or relationship issues, I am here to provide a supportive and empowering environment for your growth and healing. Let’s embark on this journey together!

I am a life long meditator who raised a family of three with my husband of 43 years. I returned to school as an adult, so I offer the hope and skill of a complicated life lived and obstacles overcome. I can help you define your problems, give them a voice, and find solutions to support the life you choose. I believe that whatever your challenges are, you can find a better way to cope. I can witness and guide you through it, if you are ready to look at yourself and your life honestly. Change can be fast or slow, but change we must in order to thrive.

I’m a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist who creates a warm, nonjudgmental space where you can feel comfortable being yourself. My style is compassionate, relatable, and goal-oriented. I work with young adult women navigating anxiety, self-doubt, relationship stress, and life transitions. Many of my clients feel overwhelmed, stuck, or disconnected from themselves. I provide a supportive, collaborative space where we focus on emotional awareness, mindfulness, and practical tools to help you build confidence, set boundaries, and feel more grounded in your daily life and relationships.

Self-knowledge can only take us so far in dealing with our challenges. It may go deeper than that with our most persistent issues. It can be invaluable to have a trusted and non-judgmental person to help us see our blindspots and to provide insights that we can't see on our own. If you feel ready to talk about making more progress in your personal growth and recovery, I hope you'll schedule a session today.

Hi, I'm Dr. Alysha! Are you ready to Empower your Mental Health? By creating a safe place for processing and expression, I support persons on their unique healing journey to strengthen authenticity and resiliency. My overall approach uses psychodynamic talk therapy, offering space to those wanting to explore new perspectives, reframes, and change. When we internalize or suppress our emotions and experiences of adversity, we may be faced with lasting emotional trauma that impacts our entire well-being. However there is power in validation and relatability and that is why I utilize a client-centered, strengths-based method, with consideration for relational, intersectional, and social justice contexts. I don’t consider myself an advice giver, but instead, I will collaborate with you to recognize your choices and help you make the best one for yourself. My objective is for you to feel empowered by reducing emotional burdens, developing coping strategies, identifying resources, and enhancing your strengths. You will be treated with respectful, objective, non-biased assistance. I believe that with the right amount of support, guidance, and compassion, our capabilities are endless. **Please note Relational Therapy (couples and families) is Cash Only at $200 per session. Individual cash sessions are $150**

I am a Licensed Marriage and Family therapist with extensive experience working with individuals who are looking for supportive, goal-oriented therapy focused on creating meaningful change. Whether you are navigating stress, anxiety, relationship challenges, life transitions, or feeling stuck, I strive to provide a space that feels collaborative, compassionate, and encouraging. With over 25 years of experience in mental health, education, mediation, and coaching, I bring a client-centered, solution-focused approach that helps clients build insight, strengthen coping skills, and move toward their goals with greater confidence. I especially value short-term therapy that is focused, intentional, and tailored to each person’s needs. My goal is to help clients feel heard, supported, and equipped with tools they can use long after therapy ends.

I am a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist with a Master’s in Marriage and Family and have practiced in California for over 27 years. My experience includes working with a variety of presenting issues in therapy including Trauma, PTSD, Abuse (Physical/Sexual, Emotional/Mental), Grief, Abandonment, Victims of Crime/War, Anxiety, and Depression. I am experienced in working with multiculturally diverse adults, adolescents, and children and am also bilingual in Spanish and English.

As a Licensed Clinical Social Worker, I provide a supportive and collaborative space where clients can explore challenges, discover strengths, and build meaningful change. I have over 10 years of experience working with a variety of populations, addressing multiple issues to give clients the encouragement for creating change in their lives. In our sessions, you can expect a warm, collaborative, and nonjudgmental environment. My goal is to create a space where you feel safe enough to share openly while also supported in taking steps toward meaningful change. I bring a genuine curiosity to your story, while also helping you identify strengths and tools to move you forward.

Hello, my name is Deborah Alfaro. I am a licensed Marriage & Family Therapist in the state of California. I have been providing mental health and therapy services to individuals, children and families in a private practice and community clinical setting for more than 10 years and am now working exclusively using telehealth as a great platform to make therapy more accessible for those with busy schedules. I look forward to working with you to help you heal, obtain insight for personal growth, process your emotions and become the best version of you.

With over 20 years of experience as a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist, I provide a compassionate, grounded space to help individuals navigate life's complexities. I specialize in working with grief and loss, as well as facing challenges with codependency, addictions, eating disorders, and family members of addicts. My approach is collaborative and tailored to your unique journey, focused on helping you break old patterns, build resilience and create lasting, positive change.

Hi, I’m Lisa, a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist with experience working with adolescents, young adults, and families navigating anxiety, emotional dysregulation, substance use, family conflict, self-esteem challenges, and life transitions. My approach is compassionate, collaborative, and grounded in meeting clients where they are. I strive to create a supportive and nonjudgmental space where clients feel safe exploring challenges, building insight, and developing healthier coping strategies and relationships. I believe meaningful change happens through authentic connection, self-awareness, and feeling genuinely understood.

My name is Nadine and I was born and raised in Iran, went to high school in England and came to the US when I was 16. Having lived in three different countries, I am very familiar with how culture affects individuals. I have a sense of humor and enjoy meeting people from different walks of life. Every individual that I meet, has a different story. I am here to listen

I am a Licensed Marriage Family Therapist with fifteen years of experience working with adolescents, adults and seniors. My approach is client-centered and solution-focused, while the main modalities that I use in my practice are Dialectical Behavior Therapy and ACT. I specialize in working with adults and older adults in recovery from substance abuse/addiction, adjusting to changes in physical health, relationships, grief and end-of-life. I firmly believe that everybody has innate worth and potential to discover, recover, and heal, which is enhanced and refined within the safety of a non-judgmental therapeutic relationship. As a therapist, I offer you my reflection, understanding, perspective, evidence-based interventions and patience while we process your thoughts, emotions and sensations together

Angelica has a passion for helping young children and adolescents, as well as couples and families. She works with clients who suffer from depression, anxiety, addiction, adjustment, grief, family conflicts and sever medical diagnosis. Angelica has specialized experience working with those who have suffered extreme trauma or have unresolved feelings about past experiences. Angelica also specializes in support for children and adolescents with serious behavioral difficulties (including: cutting or other self-harming behaviors, anger outbursts, defiance, dis-respectfulness, etc) Angelica believes that understanding, respect, and honesty are at the heart of the therapeutic relationship. She works with clients to explore past experiences and practice real life challenges, providing clients with the tools to better manage themselves towards their goals.

Hello! I have been a therapist for almost 15 years and have worked with children, teens, individuals, and families. I live in northern California and have been in private practice for 5 years. I am told I am friendly, I laugh when things are funny (never at you and always with you!), and take my role seriously. I have worked in residential treatment, psychiatric care, family courts, and with individuals who have been incarcerated. My wide range of experience has allowed me to see all different types of people and help them all the same. I currently work with clients who are children, teens, and adults. They experience a wide range of challenges and are mid to higher functioning.

You might be moving through life feeling weighed down by grief, shaken by trauma, or working hard to stay sober while the world keeps spinning around you. Maybe certain memories linger longer than you'd like, or emotions show up in ways that feel too big or too numb. These experiences can make it hard to feel grounded, especially when you're trying to make sense of who you are now. I know how heavy that can feel. In our work together, I bring warmth, respect, and lived understanding, meeting you wherever you are with care and curiosity, and holding space for who you’ve been and who you’re becoming.

Welcome. First, I would like to recognize your strength and courage to seek out mental health support. Life can be challenging to manage. And oftentimes, the toughest part is deciding to reach out for support. I believe the most important aspect of treatment is that clients feel heard, treated with respect, and actively involved in the healing process. Everyone has their own journey. Whether it’s an acute or chronic mental health concern, I use a person-centered approach to empower clients to regain power and stability in their lives. If you need a safe space to unpack how stress impacts your mental health, together we can work on improving interpersonal skills, reducing symptoms, and developing coping skills to deal with life's challenges.

You constantly do for others, yet neglect your own needs. You worry about things you can not control, fear the unknown, and haven't figured out how to let thoughts go. You do too much, and have a hard time saying, "No." Now, imagine what it would feel like when you finally speak up for yourself, and feel appreciated for all that you do. Hello, please call me Stephanie. I am a Licensed Clinical Social Worker in California with over 20 years in the helping profession. I love the Martial Arts for it’s discipline of the body, mind, and spirit. I believe everyone should learn some Self-Protection techniques for all aspects of life; Physical, Mental, Emotional, Spiritual, Financial etc. Wellbeing is my personal ambition. My two favorite words are Peace and Hope. I have a faithful trust in God. I am not in charge.

For the past decade, I have been diligently offering counseling services to individuals seeking transformative life changes or simply seeking solace in processing their emotions and thoughts. My focus has been on guiding clients toward personal growth and emotional well-being through compassionate and insightful support. I was drawn to a career as a therapist by a deep-rooted desire to make a positive impact on people's lives. Witnessing the immense potential for personal growth and healing that can be achieved through therapy, I felt a strong calling to be a facilitator of that transformative process. The opportunity to provide support, guidance, and empowerment to individuals facing challenges and seeking to improve their well-being is what truly drives me. Seeing clients overcome obstacles, gain insight, and experience positive change reinforces my passion and commitment to this meaningful work.

Hi! I am a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) based in California. I received my Masters from Azusa Pacific University and I have been practicing for 6 years. I am bilingual and the proud daughter of Latino immigrants. I have dedicated my career to help my clients overcome their mental health challenges and live healthier lives. I have experience in various clinical settings including group homes, community mental health, schools, and with the justice system.

Hello! I am a Marriage and Family Therapist serving clients all over California. I have been seeing clients for over 15 years. I help people improve their mental health and relationships with themselves and each other so that they can live their best lives. I am passionate about the work my clients do and fully believe in the ability of therapy. The life you want and the way you want to “be“ in it is possible!

Hi! My name is Yomaira Suazo and I am a licensed Marriage Family Therapist in California. I identify as a Latina and am bilingual. My experiences include young adults and adults. My main focus is proving a client-centered approach along with other approaches that help to create a non-judgment space for clients to feel safe and unpack, learn, and begin the healing process.

I am a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (MFT) with nine years of experience working with adolescents (high school–aged and older) and adults facing a wide range of emotional and behavioral challenges. I specialize in supporting teens and adults struggling with anxiety, depression, self-harm behaviors, and trauma/PTSD. I have extensive experience helping adolescents navigate academic stress, social anxiety, identity development, emotional regulation, and the impact of difficult life experiences. With adults, I work collaboratively to address mood concerns, trauma histories, life transitions, relationship stress, and patterns that may be keeping them feeling stuck. My approach is compassionate, collaborative, and grounded in evidence-based practices. I prioritize creating a safe, supportive, and nonjudgmental space where clients feel understood and empowered. Together, we work to build insight, strengthen coping skills, and foster meaningful healing and personal growth so clients can move toward becoming the best versions of themselves.

I am a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist who provides counseling to adults and couples using a trauma-informed approach. I am trained in EMDR, Brainspotting, and Accelerated Resolution Therapy (ART), and I help clients process and heal from complex life experiences. I bring a unique depth of experience to my work, having served 25 years as a police officer and over 13 years supporting first responders through peer support programs. I am also a certified domestic violence counselor with experience working with both adults and children impacted by trauma, and a U.S. Army veteran with four years of active-duty service.

I'm Kim, I love the outdoors and nature. I have a passion for animals and have several pets that I spend my free time with. Faith and religion are a big part of my life and upbringing and have been a big part of my moral compass through life's many trials. I believe that everyone should be accepted as they are and not judged for their choices or who they have become. I have a heart for helping others, especially those that feel lost or stuck. I strive to develop a great working relationship with my clients so that they may thrive in their own lives and circumstances and feel comfortable talking to me about anything that may be bothering them. Thriving and happiness are found within ourselves and I hope to help you unlock your full potential no matter your beliefs or background, and no matter how deeply your potential is buried inside of you.

I have been a drug and alcohol counselor since 1995 and a mental health therapist primarily working with adult individuals since 2008. I consider my practice to be eclectic and have specialized training in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy; Dialectical Behavior Therapy; Cognitive Processing Therapy; and Motivational Interviewing, to name a few. In addition, I have specialized training in trauma/PTSD; addictions; ADHD; LGBTIQ; military; grief and loss; depression and anxiety.

Hi, my name is Brent Batter and I am a licensed marriage family therapist that has been practicing with many diverse groups of clients for 16 years now. I received my master's degree from Cal State Hayward and since been working with age ranges of teenagers through persons in their '80s, both male and female, clients with legal issues, domestic violence, anxiety, depression, substance abuse, career decisions/troubles, and I have a passion for working with and seeing clients exceed the goals that they have for themselves.

I'm a clinician + artist who specializes in: EMDR, clinical hypnosis, sound healing & communication. I hold space for individuals to feel safe, feel relief, and build awareness. I'm an educator and teacher who is motivated to meet you where you are at and provide knowledge and processing that will assist you on getting unstuck, & finding out where you want to go.

To others it may seem like you've got it all together, but on the inside you're spinning out of control. Panic randomly punches you in the chest, taking your breath away, and you can't focus on anything else other than how to make it stop. You are consumed by trying to keep up with everyone else since they seem to have it all together, but you can barely function through the day. You feel like an awful mom because you are lashing out on your kids and hating the daily monotony instead of "embracing the joy of motherhood." You feel like you are failing your partner because somewhere along this journey you just lost yourself. You want to be a better mom to your kids. And remember why you fell in love with your partner. And stop the tornado of anxiety that knocks you out on the regular. You want to stop living by the expectations of others and rediscover who you truly are. It's time to win back some peace of mind and self-worth and attract the life you want. I have the DBT and mindfulness skills, which uses both mind and body exercises that will help you manage the crippling anxiety, love yourself better, be a more present and joyful mom, improve your relationships, and attract the life you want.

Hi! I am a Licensed Clinical Social Worker based out of California. I have a Masters Degree from the University of Southern California and a Bachelors degree in Social Work from the University of North Carolina at Wilmington. I spent 8 years in the Navy and have lived all over the world. I have been a Social Worker for 15 years and have been working as a Therapist for 10 years. I have recently trained and am certified as an EMDR therapist.

Hello, I'm Julie Addison. I come to you with 25+ years of mental health experience. We all need support sometimes and I am happy to collaborate with you to determine where you want to go. I'm anchored from a strength based model, which focuses on your talents or innate, best parts of who you are versus a negative side yourself (looking at you, Instagram). I believe in realness, self discovery and change. Please take care!

Hi! It’s nice to meet you, and I’m glad you’re considering therapy. My name is Elisa and I’m a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist who values authenticity, strong rapport, and a compassionate, collaborative approach to therapy. I bring experience working across school-based, residential, and outpatient settings, which has shaped a flexible, grounded style that allows me to meet clients where they are in their healing process. I focus on creating a space that feels warm, supportive, and nonjudgmental from the very beginning. My goal is to help you build confidence, better understand your emotions, and feel supported as you move toward meaningful change at a pace that feels right for you.

Hi. I'm an old white lady with years of experience living on this earth. I want to share what I've learned with you and assist you to recover from trauma, abuse, and attachment dysregulation. I'm culturally competent and have specific experience working with people who are first-generation Americans who are walking the line between two cultures, learning how to integrate all their parts into a cohesive whole.

I’m a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist with a Master’s degree in Counseling Psychology and over 15 years of experience in the mental health field. I specialize in working with adults navigating anxiety, depression, trauma, life transitions, and dual diagnoses. My approach is compassionate, culturally sensitive, and focused on treating the whole person—I utilize evidence-based and self-empowering modalities to help clients gain insight, heal from within, and move forward with greater clarity and confidence.

Hello There! I’m Michelle, I’m passionate about helping people reconnect with their own strength and inner wisdom. So often the answers are already within you, and therapy allows the space to reflect, gain clarity, and build confidence to trust yourself again. Seeing this happen is why I am so passionate about mental health. My style is warm, collaborative, and authentic. I believe therapy should be a space where you feel both supported and empowered. Together, we’ll explore patterns that may be keeping you stuck, build emotional resilience, and help you feel more grounded, confident, and aligned with the life you want to live.

My name is Kathy Kelly, and I am a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist. I have been licensed since 2009 and have experience working with individuals, adolescents, and families in crisis. I specialize in depression, anxiety, trauma, grief, adjustment disorders, and understanding behavior patterns that are set from childhood. I have extensive experience working with individuals who are experiencing difficult life changes, stress, anxiety, depression, trauma, and chronic mental health disorders. The most common approaches that I use are cognitive behavioral therapy, dialectical behavioral therapy, emotionally focused, mindfulness, solutions focused, grief, and trauma focused therapy. I am confortable working with various levels of life experiences, including childhood trauma, current stressors, life transitions, and I appreciate using psychodynamic and family systems therapy to help my clients understand and identify patterns of behavior, and negative thought patterns that originated from their past experiences. I provide a safe space with the goal of making my clients feel welcome, comfortable, and at ease. I have been very successful at teaching clients coping skills, and helping clients process their feelings and emotions with the goal of finding peace, happiness, and an overall sense of well being. Your journey begins today and I will be there with you to guide you and support you.

My name is Heather Cobbs, and I am passionate about working with people of all ages and walks of life that are on a journey to grow self love, a positive self image, and are looking to change self talk from negative to positive. It is my pleasure to assist women struggling with anxiety and/or depression to increase their mood by changing self talk, examine negative core beliefs, unravel dysfunctional behavior patterns, and provide tools to meet their life goals.

My name is Gabz, I am a Licensed Clinical Social Worker and have been working in different fields within mental health for 7 years. I started working with children and adolescents diagnosed with Autism Spectrum and Dual Diagnosis. From there I worked as a case manager in community mental health, primarily resourcing for Unhoused and Undocumented families. After, I gained experience at the VA Hospital, specifically supporting military personnel experiencing Domestic Violence. Most recently I have spent the last few years working exclusively with LGBTQIA+ patients, providing 1:1 and couples therapy. I am intensely compassionate for the diverse groups of people I have served and if you find yourself to be someone who has struggled to be seen, cared for, or heard, I want to be someone who can change that. Therapy is hard work and can be a difficult first step, which is why I am intentional about making therapy realistic, creative, and fun whilst working together.

Congratulations on taking the first step in your journey of healing and self-discovery. I have experience working with adults from all walks of life and diverse backgrounds. I work collaboratively with clients to address problems such as low self-esteem, depression, anxiety/worry, struggles in interpersonal relationships, LGBTQ+ -related issues and challenges navigating life transitions. I utilize an eclectic approach to therapy, which allows me to draw on multiple theories and interventions such as process-oriented therapies, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), Solution-Focused Therapy and Positive Psychology to individualize treatment for the clients I serve.

This is YOUR JOURNEY and YOU DESERVE specialized support …Are you having trouble functioning in your environment while experiencing unproductive thoughts/feelings/actions? Are your emotions working against you; controlling you, keeping you from experiencing the relationships and the life that you want for yourself? Are you trapped inside your mental health diagnosis? So many mental health challenges are rooted in past events and in fears of the future. How would you feel if past events didn't have a hold on your thoughts/feelings/actions in a negative way? How would it feel to be in charge of your responses to thoughts and feelings? I work with folks experiencing mild to moderate mental health challenges. My approach to therapy is individualized to you, as I utilize interventions from multiple theoretical orientations to fit your desired outcomes. I provide an emotionally safe space for sharing your truth. Let me sit beside you as you journey to yourself. I graduated from CSU, Sacramento with my Master of Social Work and from UC, Davis with my Bachelor's in Psychology.

Hello, I'm glad you're here. My name is Maria and I am a Licensed Clinical Therapist. I have a compassionate and collaborative approach and am dedicated to helping individuals navigate life’s challenges with greater clarity, resilience, and self-understanding. I provide a supportive, nonjudgmental space where clients can explore anxiety, depression, stress, relationship concerns, trauma, life transitions, and personal growth at their own pace. My approach is grounded in evidence-based practices while recognizing that every person’s story and needs are unique. I integrate modalities such as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), mindfulness, strengths-based therapy, and trauma-informed care to support meaningful and lasting change. I believe therapy works best when clients feel safe, heard, and empowered throughout the process. Starting therapy can feel vulnerable, but you don’t have to navigate things alone. I look forward to walking alongside you in your journey toward healing and balance.

Hello! I am a licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT) who has been working with individuals, couples and families for twenty three years. I use interventions based on cognitive behavioral techniques to help you reach your goals and overcome patterns of behavior that are not working well for you. I believe you are the expert in your own life and strive to work with you to understand and move forward toward your goals.

Hello, I was born and raised in Stockton, California. I enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps at the age of 17 and in 1997, after 25 yeas of service, I retired from the Marine Corps as a Master Sergeant. After retiring from the Marine Corps, I worked as a Farrier (Horseshoer), as well as a structural welder (Ironworker), as those were the most marketable skill that I had. I came to a point where old injuries came back to haunt me and I could no longer walk (several years later, thanks to a surgery through the VA, I can walk again; thankful for that). At this point, I changed professions and out of a desire to work with veterans, I returned to school, accomplishing all that was necessary to become a licensed counselor. I spent another career working for the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, specifically as a counselor in the Readjustment Counseling Service (Vet Center). I recently retired from the Vet Center and now I work part-time here with Grow Therapy. As a retired Marine senior staff Non-Commissioned Officer (SNCO) and disabled combat veteran myself, the Vet Center was the perfect job. Vet Centers provide readjustment counseling to combat veterans and provide counseling to survivors of military sexual trauma (MST). Vet Centers also provide group counseling, bereavement counseling and couples counseling when this is determined to be of support to the veteran. Readjustment counseling many times consists of treating/addressing symptoms related to post-traumatic stress (PTSD), I.e., anxiety, depression, exaggerated startle response, hypervigilance, sleep disturbance, etc. Many veterans go on to work as first responders and working with many first responders as well as medical personal, has provided me with a great deal of additional experience.

All things are interconnected. To feel better, you have to act better. To feel better, you have to think better. To think better, you have to feel better. To act better, you have to think better. To think, feel, and act better, you have to care for your physical health. To care for your physical health, you have to think, feel, and act better. Each has a corresponding effect on the other. However, the aspect of ourselves that we have the most direct control of is what we do, our acting. While we can influence other people, we cannot control other people. A great source of conflict and unhappiness results from our efforts to control others. If you want better relationships, the only thing we can control is what we do, how we choose to relate. We are responsible for what we do. Others are responsible for what they do. Accepting this fundamental reality and thinking, feeling, and acting in accordance with it is how we increase our experience of power, freedom, belonging, meaning and, very importantly, fun. My professional experience includes over 30 years of post-Master’s clinical work, including leadership experience in foster care, chemical abuse and addiction, inpatient and outpatient mental health services, and crisis intervention, de-escalation, and hospitalization. I am experienced in working with ages three through the elderly. I have worked extensively with youth and families, diverse populations and life issues, providing services in various settings, including family homes, schools, juvenile detention facilities, jails, outpatient clinics, and inpatient psychiatric facilities.

Are you looking to create a new life narrative-story rooted in your strengths? My life and work experiences working with adults and children experiencing emotional disorders, trauma, anxiety, and life barriers hopefully can help us collaborate on building that new resilient story together. Outside of work, I enjoy various forms of exercise: HIIT workouts, yoga, nutrition topics, science, music , gardening, and traveling. I have an avid interest in learning about other cultures and have lived and studied abroad in Ecuador, South America.

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.

I am a Doctor of Psychology and a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) with over 37 years of experience in the field. During that time, I worked on issues of domestic violence, community violence, and child abuse while on staff at several community, not-for-profit, and governmental agencies in the San Francisco Bay Area (CA). I have been in private practice for over 29 years.