About Melissa
You are probably wondering how therapy can help you and if Melissa would be a good fit for you. In considering therapy, you are taking a brave and important step towards life-enhancing growth and moving forward in the direction of healing your trauma.
Melissa became licensed in the state of California in 2010 post Master’s Degree as an LCSW and since then have embarked on a continued journey of learning. Her early career started in 2006 when she worked as a generalist with families with all types of crises, trauma, and lived experiences. She went on to get additional training post masters to specialize.
Melissa is trained in somatic therapy and EMDR therapy which are two modalities that have been researched in treating clients who have lived experience of sexual abuse and assault. She has also studied the field of sexuality and somatic sex therapy and can coach clients on how to reconnect to themselves and to others erotically.
Melissa currently lives in Mission Viejo with her partner, two puppies, and cat. She used to live and practice in Northern CA post Masters under inspiredlifecounselingservices.com. She believes in living inspired through being dedicated to her own personal growth, therapy, and through healing connections with others. She also practices yoga and meditation as part of her own self-care practice.
2010 LCSW in State of California
2021 Trained in the Somatica Method of Sex and Relationship Therapy
2022 Trained in Eye Movement Desensitization Reprocessing from EMDR Center of Southern CA, and EMDRIA approved provider
Schedule a free 15 minute consultation
From Somatica Website: https://www.somaticainstitute.
“The Somatica Training is one of a very few CAMFT/BBS-approved sex therapy training programs that offers continuing education to Marriage & Family Therapists (MFT), Licensed Clinical Social Workers (LCSW), and Licensed Professional Counselors (LPC).
It provides them with holistic, in-depth knowledge and a wide range of tools to help clients address issues in the realm of sexuality and intimate partnerships.”
Note: this sex training also is for other professionals that want to pursue a career in Sex Therapy and I practice it under the boundaries of a professional sex therapy training as a licensed professional therapist. I do not utilize any hands on in my Somatica approach but can refer you to other professionals such as massage therapists, etc as an adjunct to your therapy with me if you’d also like to try another modality as part of overall holistic wellness.
I am open and affirming to all sexual and gender identities, relationship structures, and am a safe sex positive space for straight and queer individuals either in traditional or alternative partnerships.