therapist for moms - perinatal therapist- postpartum therapist

Meet MElissa, Therapist for Moms

It’s time to feel like you again.

I’m a California-based therapist for moms specializing in postpartum, anxiety, & trauma.

I want you to truly hear this:

Caring for yourself is not selfish- it’s essential to being a good mom.

Every mom deserves to feel seen, supported, and empowered to build the life they want for themselves and their children.

I know how easy it is to put yourself last- to stay busy, hold it all together, and silently wonder why everything still feels so heavy. But you don’t have to keep carrying it all alone. Your needs, your emotions, your healing- they matter just as much as everyone else’s.

Therapy is a space where you get to be the one held, supported, and truly seen. It’s not about fixing you- it’s about helping you reconnect with your strength, your voice, and your sense of self. Because when you care for yourself, you’re not just surviving motherhood- you’re rewriting what it gets to look like.

therapist for moms - postpartum therapist

How I work

Central to my therapeutic approach is your story matters, your feelings are valid, and healing is possible.

Hi there! My name is Melissa and I’m a Licensed Marriage & Family Therapist and a mom of 2.

Prior to becoming a mom, I had worked with hundreds of families and pretty much thought I had the whole-parent thing figured out. I couldn’t have been more wrong! Motherhood definitely rocked my world.

It took several years before I started to feel like myself again. It’s also lead me to be super passionate about supporting other moms through their postpartum time and throughout their parenting.

Whatever your reasons for seeking help, I’m here to provide you with a safe, nonjudgmental place to explore your concerns and develop new tools.

Therapy is a great tool to help you learn more about yourself and guide you to feeling better and happier.

Therapy with me is…

01 compassionate

Therapy with me is rooted in deep compassion- for where you are now, and everything it took to get here. I hold space without judgment, honoring your lived experience while gently guiding you toward healing. You don’t have to explain away your feelings or have it all figured out- you’ll be met with warmth, empathy, and genuine care every step of the way.

02 insightful

In our work together, we’ll go beyond surface-level coping and explore the deeper patterns, beliefs, and experiences shaping how you feel today. Therapy is a space to make meaningful connections between your past and present so you can understand yourself with more clarity and compassion. Insight is powerful, and it’s often the first step toward lasting change.

03 empowering

Therapy isn’t about fixing you- it’s about helping you reconnect with your inner strength and wisdom. Together, we’ll build the tools, insight, and confidence you need to make choices that feel aligned with who you are. You’ll leave sessions not just supported, but more self-assured in your ability to navigate motherhood and life.

04 Individualized

There’s no one-size-fits-all approach to healing- your therapy is tailored to your unique story, needs, and goals. Whether we focus on processing trauma, managing anxiety, or navigating motherhood’s emotional complexity, we’ll move at your pace, in a way that feels right for you. This is your space, and it’s built to support you.

perinatal therapist - therapist for moms

specializing in:

Postpartum

Trauma

EMDR Therapy

My Values

  • Everyone has an important story to tell and that they have an unique experience and perspective that deserves to be heard and respected.

    I offer an inclusive and safe space for everyone, including Black, Indigenous, and People of Color, those in the LGBTQ+ community, and all other marginalized groups.

    We are all equal and deserve to be treated as so. I value decency, respect, and compassion for all beings. Everyone deserves to be seen, heard, and understood.

  • I believe that our society is deeply rooted in patriarchal systems that often marginalize and oppress women. These systems can have a significant impact on women's mental health, relationships, and overall well-being.

    I strive to create a safe and supportive space where you can explore your experiences and challenges without judgment. I am committed to empowering you to make informed decisions about your life and to advocate for your needs.

    My approach to therapy is informed by a feminist perspective, which means that I recognize the impact of gender, race, class, and other social identities on your mental health. I am dedicated to working with you to challenge societal norms and expectations, and to build a more equitable and just world.

  • I recognize that our country has been built on White Privilege with a lens of Heteronormativity and Able-Bodied that creates systemic and oppressive barriers for those in the BIPOC and LGBTQ+ communities, those with disabilities, and other marginalized group.

    I am committed to continue to learn about how I can be Anti-Racist and an Ally. I will continue to check my own White Privilege and use my Privilege to be a voice for change.

    I believe women have a right to make their own decisions regarding their body and their healthcare. I am also committed to stand up and fight for women’s autonomous rights over their bodies.

  • Being authentic as a therapist is important to me. This includes being transparent in session fees, which you will find here, any diagnosis, and treatment prognosis.

    I also welcome and will elicit feedback. If there is anything I ask that you are not comfortable sharing, that is okay! Also, if I say something that is confusing, offensive, or just does not connect, please let me know.

    I view therapy as a collaborative process and I am always open to hearing how you are thinking/feeling about the therapy process. Ultimately you know your life best and I'm here to help support you in living the life that you want to have.

My Background

I consider myself a lifelong student. Here is more about my education and experience.

  • Licensed Marriage & Family Therapist with the California Board of Behavioral Sciences (License Number 52656)

    Masters of Arts in Marriage & Family Therapy from Alliant International University of San Diego

    Bachelor of Science in Psychology from Cal Poly San Luis Obispo

  • I’m a Certified EMDR Therapist with specialized training in:

    • Perinatal Therapy

    • Birth Trauma Therapy

    • Anxiety + OCD

    • Trauma

    • Somatic Therapy

  • Current owner of Happy Moms Therapy, providing online Individual therapy to moms in California.

    Previous Director and Clinical Supervisor of an adolescent short-term residential mental health program.

    Previous Director of a nonprofit, community counseling clinic. Provided Individual, Couples, and Family Therapy.

    Previously provided therapeutic services to students and their families at local elementary, middle, and high schools.

  • Member of California Association of Marriage & Family Therapists (CAMFT)

You matter too. It’s time to prioritize yourself.

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