Melissa is a Licensed Marriage Family Therapist (Lic. # 51421) since 2012, and has over 15 years of clinical experience. She specializes in providing therapy to teens, couples and individuals.  She is also certified to provide services to veterans and their families.  Melissa believes in utilizing a variety of theoretical approaches in therapy.  Some of these therapies include Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Solution Focused, Family Systems, Expressive Arts and Prolonged Exposure.  Her experience with clients includes those individuals suffering from anxiety, depression, bi-polar, as well as, those with trauma.

Melissa has a Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology from California State University, Sacramento and a Master of Arts Degree in Counseling Psychology from John F. Kennedy University.  She also earned a certificate in Working with Troops from Iraq and Afghanistan, which she also earned from John F. Kennedy University, and has a certificate in Eye Movement Desensitization Reprocessing (EMDR).

Before joining the team at Building Foundations Counseling Center, Inc., Melissa was working in the San Jose Bay Area.  While there she worked for the John F. Kennedy  University Community Counseling Center, where she provided low and no cost services to members of the community.  She also was a mentor to new therapists in training.  In addition, Melissa worked with at risk teens for a family clinic in East San Jose, and she also worked with children in special education, while working for the Santa Clara Unified School District. In addition, Melissa is also certified in Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT) and has received additional training in Attachment Theory and Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT).