Psychotherapy

Give Melissa a call at

323-810-9681 or reach out below for a free 20 minute consultation

Healing with Melissa

I offer a collaborative space for teens and young adults seeking individual or couples/relationship therapy in Pasadena and surrounding communities.  I have an active imagination and a visual mind that can help you make more sense of your own.  I listen carefully to what lights you up, as well as the origins of stress, exhaustion, and shame.  These explorations may help you feel more engaged, empowered, and passionate about your life.

I earned my Masters of Arts in Clinical Psychology at Antioch University Los Angeles with a specialization in Marriage and Family Therapy and Applied Community Psychology. I completed my practicum training at Valley Community Counseling Clinic in North Hollywood where I gained an in depth understanding of object relations theory and how early influences impact the patterns that take hold later in life. I continued my training by completing the one year Psychoanalytic Psychotherapy certificate at the Los Angeles Institute and Society for Psychoanalytic Studies and the Level 1 Certificate of the Trauma Resiliency Model.

I take an affirmative approach to help clients with marginalized identities explore internal and external stressors, resolve conflicts, and feel more connected to the here and now. 

My community and clinical work leaves me especially attuned to working with people impacted by relationship traumas, autistic and LGBTQIAPK+ people experiencing minority stress, caregivers experiencing compassion fatigue,  and advocates engaged in long term anti-racism & systemic change efforts.

By exploring memory and emotions, returning to painful experiences in a safer environment, and having someone who can track the patterns and structures in your life, you can begin to make changes that have left you feeling stuck and out of control.

In all my work, I pay attention to the present moment between us, and notice what pieces of the past are still alive and influential. This way of working allows the people I work with to gain a deeper understanding about how their pasts influence how they are interacting with others in the present. Becoming more aware of these processes helps young adults grow into the future with more confidence and independence.

Registered AMFT #123991, Supervised by Margaret (Meg) Bezucha, MEd, LMFT #100194

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Clinical Interests

I am currently conducting telehealth service

16 NoRTH MARENGO AVENUE #212
Pasadena, ca 91101

Cancellations

Please let me know at least 24-hours in advance if you are unable to keep your appointment. You will be charged for a full price for the missed session if you have not given at least 24-hours notice.

Insurance

I accept PPO plans as an out of network provider.  Clients can pay for their services at the time of the session and be supplied a super bill that they can submit to their insurance for reimbursement according to their plans coverage.  Super bills cover a six session time period.
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What this means is that you would need to pay for each session as they occur.  I would, in turn, keep a record of the time and date of each session, a diagnosis (which is required by insurance), along with your place or source of employment, and home information.  After you provide me with a week’s notice (verbal or written) for a super bill, I would provide you with this document which would include all of the above information. Please note that many insurance companies also require a social security number.

As the client you would submit the ‘bill’ for reimbursement to your insurance company. 

Please check with your insurance carrier or employee benefit plan to ensure that your services will be covered in full or in part. In addition, you should confirm with your insurance provider that they cover psychotherapy with an Associate Marriage and Family Therapist supervised by a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist.

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Confidentiality & Private Policy

The law protects the relationship between a client and a therapist, and information cannot be disclosed without written permission. 

Exceptions include:   
Suspected child abuse or dependent adult or elder abuse, to which I am required by law to report to the appropriate authorities, immediately.  

Child Pornography
If a client reports they have “downloads, streams, or access images of any person under the age of 18 engaged in an act of obscene sexual conduct,” I am required by law to report to the appropriate authorities. 

See legislation here by clicking on the CANRA link
Child Abuse and Neglect Reporting Act

If a client is threatening serious bodily harm to another person, I must notify the police and inform the intended victim.

If a client intends to harm himself or herself, I will make every effort to enlist their cooperation in ensuring their safety.  

And if they do not cooperate, I will take further measures without their permission that are provided to me by law in order to ensure their safety.