Photo of Melissa Craven, Marriage & Family Therapist, LMFT, PMH-C
Melissa Craven
Marriage & Family Therapist, LMFT, PMH-C
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Melissa Craven

Marriage & Family Therapist, LMFT, PMH-C

Verified by Psychology Today Verified by Psychology Today
836 57th Street, Ste 250, Sacramento, CA 95819
Call Me
Available both in-person and online
836 57th Street Ste 250 Sacramento, CA 95819
Let's Connect (916) 398-3430
Photo of Melissa Craven, Marriage & Family Therapist, LMFT, PMH-C
You may feel stuck in cycles of self-criticism, weighed down by anxiety, depression, or perfectionism. These struggles can leave you exhausted, isolated, and unsure of how to move forward. With over 15 years of experience using Expressive Arts Therapy, I help clients loosen old patterns, calm overwhelming emotions, and reconnect with resilience and creativity. Through movement, imagery, writing, and play—combined with evidence-based practices—you can discover new ways of being and restore a sense of possibility.
With over a decade at UCSF, I have extensive experience using and teaching DBT to support clients with acute mood symptoms, suicidality, and psychosis. In my current practice, I integrate Expressive Arts Therapy with Internal Family Systems (IFS) to help adults navigate anxiety, depression, trauma, grief, and perfectionism.
It takes courage to seek support, especially when loved ones can’t show up as we need. Therapy doesn’t have to be heavy. I blend Expressive Arts Therapy with CBT, mindfulness, and relational work in a warm, creative, practical style. Together, let’s find your flow and reconnect with strength, curiosity, and joy.
Call or Melissa Craven now for a free 15 minute consultation - (916) 398-3430

My Practice at a Glance

Available both in-person and online

836 57th Street

Ste 250

Sacramento, CA 95819 map

(916) 398-3430
My website
To maximize safety and convenience, I am meeting patients online and- as requested- in person with Walk and Talks (San Francisco parks).
I specialize in Insomnia  
$185 Per Session  
I see individuals and groups  
Let's work to bring anxiety to a manageable level- and reconnect with your creative self. Call/ email me to discuss your hopes in therapy.
Melissa Craven
Let's Connect (916) 398-3430
Photo of Melissa Craven, Marriage & Family Therapist, LMFT, PMH-C

My Practice at a Glance

Available both in-person and online

836 57th Street

Ste 250

Sacramento, CA 95819 map

(916) 398-3430
My website
To maximize safety and convenience, I am meeting patients online and- as requested- in person with Walk and Talks (San Francisco parks).
I specialize in Insomnia  
$185 Per Session  
I see individuals and groups  
Let's work to bring anxiety to a manageable level- and reconnect with your creative self. Call/ email me to discuss your hopes in therapy.
Melissa Craven

Finances

Fees

  • Individual Sessions $185

Payment Methods

Paypal, Venmo, Zelle
"
I will provide you with a monthly super-bill to submit to your PPO for likely reimbursement. You can pay me through Zelle, Venmo, PayPal. Please reach out with questions, I am happy to help you understand your benefits.
Photo of Melissa Craven, Marriage & Family Therapist, LMFT, PMH-C
Melissa Craven
Marriage & Family Therapist, LMFT, PMH-C
Call or for a free 15 minute consultation now - (916) 398-3430
"
I will provide you with a monthly super-bill to submit to your PPO for likely reimbursement. You can pay me through Zelle, Venmo, PayPal. Please reach out with questions, I am happy to help you understand your benefits.
Photo of Melissa Craven, Marriage & Family Therapist, LMFT, PMH-C
Melissa Craven
Marriage & Family Therapist, LMFT, PMH-C
Call or for a free 15 minute consultation now - (916) 398-3430

Qualifications

  • Verified by Psychology Today Licensed by State of California / 52019 Melissa Craven
  • Education and Years In Practice

  • In Practice for 18 years
  • Attended California Institute of Integral Studies, MA, Counseling Psychology, Graduated 2008
  • Additional Credentials

  • Membership with International Expressive Arts Therapy Association
  • Certificate from Postpartum Support International
"
I have a graduate degree in counseling psychology with an emphasis in expressive arts therapy, 14 years experience using DBT and expressive arts therapy with patients at UCSF, and a certification in Perinatal Mental Health.
Photo of Melissa Craven, Marriage & Family Therapist, LMFT, PMH-C
Melissa Craven
Marriage & Family Therapist, LMFT, PMH-C
Call or for a free 15 minute consultation now - (916) 398-3430
"
I have a graduate degree in counseling psychology with an emphasis in expressive arts therapy, 14 years experience using DBT and expressive arts therapy with patients at UCSF, and a certification in Perinatal Mental Health.
Photo of Melissa Craven, Marriage & Family Therapist, LMFT, PMH-C
Melissa Craven
Marriage & Family Therapist, LMFT, PMH-C
Call or for a free 15 minute consultation now - (916) 398-3430

Specialties and Expertise

Top Specialties

  • Insomnia

Expertise

  • Anxiety
  • Body Image
  • Mood Disorders
  • Open Relationships Non-Monogamy
  • Pregnancy, Prenatal, Postpartum
  • Sex-Positive, Kink Allied
  • Suicidal Ideation
"
Clients find me at a crossroads- adulting, transitioning to parenthood, loss or other role changes. You may be more vulnerable to overwhelming emotions and self-criticism. It's a period in which you're confronting unhelpful patterns passed down from generations. While life feels overwhelming now, you'll see improvements in mood and symptoms as you reflect and apply skills- within a month or two.
Photo of Melissa Craven, Marriage & Family Therapist, LMFT, PMH-C
Melissa Craven
Marriage & Family Therapist, LMFT, PMH-C
Call or for a free 15 minute consultation now - (916) 398-3430
"
Clients find me at a crossroads- adulting, transitioning to parenthood, loss or other role changes. You may be more vulnerable to overwhelming emotions and self-criticism. It's a period in which you're confronting unhelpful patterns passed down from generations. While life feels overwhelming now, you'll see improvements in mood and symptoms as you reflect and apply skills- within a month or two.
Photo of Melissa Craven, Marriage & Family Therapist, LMFT, PMH-C
Melissa Craven
Marriage & Family Therapist, LMFT, PMH-C
Call or for a free 15 minute consultation now - (916) 398-3430

Client Focus

Age

Adults
Elders (65+)

Participants

Individuals
Group

Communities

Bisexual Allied
Gay Allied
Lesbian Allied
Non-Binary Allied
Queer Allied
Racial Justice Allied

Age

Adults
Elders (65+)

Participants

Individuals
Group

Communities

Bisexual Allied
Gay Allied
Lesbian Allied
Non-Binary Allied
Queer Allied
Racial Justice Allied

Treatment Approach

Types of Therapy

  • Acceptance and Commitment (ACT)
  • Cognitive Behavioral (CBT)
  • Dialectical Behavior (DBT)
  • Expressive Arts
  • Internal Family Systems (IFS)
  • Trauma Focused
"
We'll often use Expressive Arts Therapy to provide fresh perspectives and a flexible stance on stuck issues. We may use skills from Dialectical Behavior Therapy to reduce reactivity and assert needs effectively. Acceptance and Commitment Therapy and other positive psychology practices come in to help prioritize and make changes. Internal Family Systems helps to process old patterns or trauma.
Photo of Melissa Craven, Marriage & Family Therapist, LMFT, PMH-C
Melissa Craven
Marriage & Family Therapist, LMFT, PMH-C
Call or for a free 15 minute consultation now - (916) 398-3430
"
We'll often use Expressive Arts Therapy to provide fresh perspectives and a flexible stance on stuck issues. We may use skills from Dialectical Behavior Therapy to reduce reactivity and assert needs effectively. Acceptance and Commitment Therapy and other positive psychology practices come in to help prioritize and make changes. Internal Family Systems helps to process old patterns or trauma.
Photo of Melissa Craven, Marriage & Family Therapist, LMFT, PMH-C
Melissa Craven
Marriage & Family Therapist, LMFT, PMH-C
Call or for a free 15 minute consultation now - (916) 398-3430

Groups


Location

Primary Location

836 57th Street

Ste 250

Sacramento, CA 95819

(916) 398-3430
"
To maximize safety and convenience, I am meeting patients online and- as requested- in person with Walk and Talks (San Francisco parks).
Photo of Melissa Craven, Marriage & Family Therapist, LMFT, PMH-C
Melissa Craven
Marriage & Family Therapist, LMFT, PMH-C
Call for a free consultation now - (916) 398-3430
"
To maximize safety and convenience, I am meeting patients online and- as requested- in person with Walk and Talks (San Francisco parks).
Photo of Melissa Craven, Marriage & Family Therapist, LMFT, PMH-C
Melissa Craven
Marriage & Family Therapist, LMFT, PMH-C
Call for a free consultation now - (916) 398-3430