- Anxiety and stress
- Eating and body image
- Client-centered approaches
About Melinna
Melinna Perez is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT) practicing in California with 10 years of clinical experience. She works with people facing stress, anxiety, eating concerns, depression, relationship and intimacy issues, trauma and grief. Melinna also supports those dealing with ADHD, compassion fatigue, and identity-related concerns such as gender dysphoria and LGBT issues.
She earned a Master of Marriage and Family Therapy from the University of Southern California in 2016 and holds bachelor degrees in psychology and English from Mount St. Mary’s University. Over the last decade she has worked in both residential and outpatient settings and has led individual and group therapy sessions.
Melinna draws on several therapeutic approaches and adapts them to each person's needs. She often uses client-centered techniques, cognitive behavioral strategies, and acceptance and commitment ideas to address thought patterns and behaviors. She also brings elements of dialectical behavior work and emotionally-focused methods when relationships and emotions are central concerns.
Sessions focus on practical skills and clearer communication. Melinna helps people name unhelpful patterns, practice new ways of relating, and build coping tools for daily life. She pays attention to cultural and identity factors and supports exploration around adoption, attachment, body image, and sexuality concerns.
Outside of practice she enjoys music, sports, reading, cooking, meditation, and time with family and pets. To begin, readers are encouraged to use the site’s matching process to schedule an initial session.
How Melinna uses therapeutic methods in online sessions
Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) focuses on noticing thoughts and values-based action. It helps when avoidance and worry get in the way of meaningful day-to-day choices. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) looks at the links between thoughts, feelings, and behaviors and uses concrete exercises to test and change unhelpful patterns. Emotionally-Focused Therapy (EFT) helps people identify core emotions and improve how they respond in relationships and close interactions.Finding the right mix of approaches is part of the work. Melinna will talk with the client about goals, preferences, and what feels most useful. Together they decide which methods to try and adjust those choices as progress is made.
The therapist's biography notes experience providing online work, but it does not list specific session formats here. Before booking, confirm the current online session options. Online work can make it easier to fit therapy into a busy week, allow shorter check-ins when needed, and remove travel time so sessions can happen from other locations. For some people, an online session can reduce the energy needed to attend while still allowing practice of skills and reflection with a licensed professional.
Areas of expertise
Primary focus
Also works with
Additional focus areas
Therapeutic approaches
Experience
10+ years
Listed in
California
Languages
English, Spanish
Frequently asked questions
What concerns does she address?
She works with stress, anxiety, eating issues, depression, trauma, grief, intimacy concerns, ADHD, and related topics listed on her profile.
What is her therapy style like?
Sessions are client-centered and practical. She blends CBT, ACT, DBT, and emotionally-focused ideas to help with thoughts, behaviors, and relationships.
How much clinical experience does she have?
She has 10 years of experience providing individual and group therapy in residential and outpatient settings.
What are her credentials and where is she based?
She is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT) licensed in California and practices there.
Can I work with her in a language other than English?
Sessions are offered in English and Spanish. International clients are not accepted at this time.
What session formats does she offer?
Her biography mentions both individual and group work and notes online practice experience; confirm current session options before booking.
How are sessions paid for?
Cost varies with location and sessions use a subscription that can be canceled at any time.
How do I begin a first session?
Use the See online therapy options button, complete the short matching questionnaire, and schedule a first session.