Hello!
I’m Melanie, she/her/hers pronouns, and welcome to my website!
I am a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist in the state of California. I earned a Master's degree in Clinical Psychology from Antioch University in Los Angeles, with an emphasis on LGBT-affirmative studies. I have several years of clinical training at Being Alive, a community health clinic providing services to individuals dealing and coping with HIV/AIDS and psychological stressors, as well as several years of clinical experience at LifeWorks, an LGBTQ+ affirmative youth counseling clinic within the Los Angeles LGBT Center.
In addition to being a loud and proud champion of the LGBTQ+ community, I am also putting in the work to lovingly support BIPOC communities, by consistently educating myself on anti-racism, equality of all humans, and the mental health challenges specific to U.S. Black, Indigenous, and People of Color.
What does it mean to be an “extroverted therapist”? It means I am gregarious yet introspective. It means I won’t be a passive onlooker of your pain. It means that my clients invigorate me, and that energy is palpable in the room. It means I will not only hold the therapeutic roadmap, but I will point out metaphorical danger, rest stops, and amusement parks along the way. I am ready when you are!
If you are interested in learning more, check out my feature in ShoutOut LA.