Cognitive Behavioral (CBT) Therapists in Pasadena, CA

Making the decision to seek help is such a pivotal moment in a person’s life. As a clinical psychologist with over 15 years of experience, I strive to offer the most current, effective, and comprehensive assessment and treatment possible. My goal is to create a space of empathy and safety with both therapy and psychological testing for a range of disorders and problems, including learning disability and ADHD evaluations. I also specialize in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and regularly treat conditions such as depression, anxiety, OCD, panic, and more. Most importantly, I tailor the assessment and/or treatment specifically for you!

After 15 years working with community-based, non-profit agencies in multiple roles as well as about 20 years working with vulnerable youth, I am happily dedicated to private practice care. My practice is centered around whole-person treatment. Together, we will explore root causes to your symptoms, the narrative of your family system, process old trauma and develop healthy coping skills to manage your symptoms. Trauma, OCD, Generalized Anxiety and Codependency Treatment, are my primary specialties, and I look forward to learning about and helping you identify your unique goals for therapy.

I am a board-certified clinical child and adolescent psychologist with over 20 years of experience treating children, adolescents, and young adults for a broad array of issues, with special expertise in anxiety, mood disorders, and pediatric psychology (children/adolescents living with medical illness). I use evidence-based interventions, drawing strongly from cognitive behavioral, trauma informed, and dyadic (parent-child) relational approaches to develop individualized, effective treatment plans. Treatment goals are identified in collaboration with clients, and I strive to meet these goals in a short-term, efficient manner.

We all want to become, be, and remain adults able to enjoy times of great happiness and grow from times of stress, difficulty, and sadness. This is not an easy process and requires learning from feeling, thinking about, and experiencing the ups and downs of our lives, understanding what our experiences mean, where they come from, and what we can do to make changes in our lives. In this process we know that we can experience anxiety, depression, stress, tension, and many other things that require professional help in order to maintain our footing and keep moving forward in our lives.

I love working with individuals of all ages who are open-minded, willing and interested in cultivating a meaningful life. I recognize how challenging it can be to remain willing and curious when the world and life as we've known it continues to rapidly change. One of my primary goals is to support clients to feel more moments of contentment and safety so that they are able to imagine the possibilities in front of and ahead of them. It IS possible to feel better and suffer less; and for life to look and feel different than it does right now.

Melissa strongly believes in a multi-disciplinary, holistic approach to patient care. She is dedicated to creating a safe and judgment-free environment, as well as helping individuals find peace and heal their inner child and past traumas. She is available for couples, family, and individual therapy.

I believe that our lives are built on relationships. Be it between parent and child, partner and partner, supervisor and employee, or peer and peer, relationships can be healing and rewarding, but they can also be painful and difficult. We all know the stress and heartache that can come from a relationship in distress and we all know that desperate, painful feeling of wanting relief. Helping people find their way through these difficulties and back to each other is one of the most rewarding and exciting things I do. I specialize in helping families connect and thrive.

I specialize in integrative therapy for anxiety, depression, PTSD, and relationship issues. I use an individualized approach, employing humanistic, psychodynamic, cognitive behavioral, and somatic methods, including EMDR and Hakomi. All modalities I use are evidence-based and grounded in compassion and mindfulness. My primary goal in treatment is to build a strong therapeutic alliance and collaborate with you to help you find relief from suffering and greater fulfillment in your life and relationships.

Anxiety, panic, and burnout can make you feel as if you're out of control. Your mind and body don't cooperate and work like it should. These experiences grow over time until you feel not like yourself anymore with no clear way out. Whether it's racing thoughts, nonstop worry, physical symptoms like heart racing, shortness of breath or stomach issues, I can help. I specialize in working with adults struggling with anxiety, burnout, ADHD and chronic health conditions (insomnia, chronic pain, binge eating). My approach is evidence based, short-term therapy from a compassionate and authentic stance.

You deserve to feel seen, heard and supported! We are all in a collective period of transition, and change naturally brings up feelings of anxiety and fear that can seem overwhelming and unmanageable. But you do not have to face these feelings alone. As a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist; I provide a safe space to feel, process, and integrate these changes into your life. I believe that the body should always be apart of talk therapy, and I use a variety of Mindfulness practices to help my clients become embodied before exploring the root of their problems.

Successful psychotherapy is part science, part art. My goal is to help you to thrive and flourish. With an emphasis on your strengths, we work together to identify blockages and move you toward optimal health. We explore the patterns and behaviors which prevent you from reaching your goals. An ideal psychotherapy candidate loves to learn. You understand that the results of psychotherapy are a function of the constructive work that you put into your own process of self-exploration. Benefits from our work may include: healthier relationships, improved self-image, increased productivity and a better understanding of yourself.

Seeking help can be scary and exciting, and it takes a lot of bravery and courage to take the initial step. You may be feeling like you are depressed and anxious due to your trauma. I aim to meet you where you are mentally and emotionally and help you grow, learn skills, and adapt to new changes. We can work together to identify your goals and needs and address the emotional and behavioral challenges you experience.

Today's world demands so much of us. The pressures to be everything, do everything, for everyone can cause stress, anxiety, and depression. We are human. And even the best of humans need support from time to time to bounce back from the challenges of life and live powerfully. It is time that you had a consistent partnership that focuses on your healing, growth, and emotional resilience.

Borderline Personality Disorder Treatment! Trauma Reduction Treatment! PTSD Treatment! No charge first consult, to determine treatment needs. $200/hour and $100/hour fee for limited income. $50/hour for unemployed & students. Reduced fees are a community service! Borderline Personality Disorder, PTSD Trauma Reduction, and Panic Disorder treatment with Hypnotherapy and Dialectical Behavior Therapy are specialties. Treatment Planning is Solution Focused and Time Limited. My practice utilizes only the most extensively tested (evidence-based) treatment interventions including Dialectical Behavior Therapy and Hypnotherapy.

Welcome. I am a Licensed Clinical Psychologist from UCLA providing a wide range of therapeutic services for adults in Pasadena, La Canada Flintridge, Altadena, South Pasadena and San Marino. My secure video online therapy services are available for California residents. My treatment strategies are grounded in the principles of cognitive -behavioral therapy and are focused on helping people succeed at school, work, and home to achieve their short and long-term goals. My focus is primarily on helping people build the lives they desire in the present and future, rather than focusing too heavily on the past.

I am a licensed clinical social worker with 11 years of experience providing psychotherapy to adults and teens. I have an extensive training in cognitive behavioral therapy but utilize an eclectic treatment approach that includes behavioral, mindfulness and interpersonal therapy. I specialize in treatment of depression, anxiety, obsessive compulsive disorder, as well as trauma and PTSD. I strive to provide a safe and nurturing environment for clients to explore their current challenges and develop healthier coping mechanisms. I am committed to helping each individual achieve their goals. Please call or email me with additional questions or to set up an appointment.