Melinna Perez, LMFT

Supportive therapist for life transitions

About Melinna

Melinna Perez is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist who has practiced in California for over 10 years. She guides people through anxiety, depression, eating and body image issues, trauma, grief, and life transitions.

Background and approach

Melinna speaks English and Spanish and offers a calm, straightforward style for people seeking practical help. She draws from approaches like Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Dialectical Behavior Therapy, Emotionally-Focused Therapy, and client-centered work.

In sessions she focuses on what matters most to the person in front of her and tailors tools to fit everyday life. Sessions can include skill-building, values-based goal setting, and processing painful experiences.

Melinna has worked in outpatient and residential settings and led both individual and group work. That background informs a flexible way of working with issues such as bipolar mood challenges, trauma and abuse, eating and food-related concerns, and the stressors that come with major life changes.

She also supports people navigating gender and sexuality questions and LGBT-related concerns. Her approach is direct but warm.

She aims to create a space where people can speak honestly and try practical steps between sessions. Melinna also brings coaching-style feedback when helpful to support behavioral changes and day-to-day coping.

Outside of clinical work she enjoys reading, music, cooking, meditation, and time with family and pets. She invites people ready to make change to begin with a short matching questionnaire and schedule a first session.

How therapeutic approaches translate to online care

Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) focuses on clarifying personal values and taking small, committed steps aligned with those values. It helps when anxiety, depression, or life transitions make action feel overwhelming. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) looks at patterns of thought and behavior and teaches concrete skills to shift unhelpful habits. It is useful for anxiety, depression, and many everyday struggles where thinking and doing are connected. Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) teaches emotion regulation, distress tolerance, and better interpersonal skills. These tools can help with intense moods, relationship challenges, and managing crisis moments.

Choosing the best approach is a collaborative process. The therapist will talk with each person about symptoms, goals, and preferences and then suggest strategies to try. Methods can be blended and adjusted over time so the work fits the person’s life and pace.

Online therapy offers practical flexibility. Video calls let people use body language and visual cues during deeper work. Phone sessions can fit into a shorter break or be easier when bandwidth is limited. Live chat and text-based messaging are useful for quick check-ins, coaching-style feedback, or homework support between sessions. These options make it easier to keep therapy consistent while balancing school, work, and family demands.

Frequently asked questions

What kinds of concerns does Melinna help with?

She works with stress, anxiety, depression, eating and body image concerns, trauma and abuse, grief, relationship and intimacy-related issues, anger, self esteem, bipolar challenges, ADHD, and related topics like abandonment and attachment.

What is her therapy style like?

Her style mixes client-centered listening with practical tools. Sessions often include skill practice, goal setting, and exploring values to guide choices.

How much clinical experience does she have?

She has ten years of experience working in outpatient and residential settings and has provided both individual and group work.

What are her credentials and where is she based?

She is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT) practicing in California.

Which languages are supported in sessions?

Sessions are offered in English and Spanish.

Can international clients work with her?

International clients are not currently accepted.

What session formats are available?

Sessions can be done by video calls, phone sessions, live chat, or text-based messaging.

How are costs and scheduling handled?

Cost varies with location and therapist availability; sessions use a subscription that can be canceled at any time. To get started, select the Start Therapy button, complete a short matching questionnaire, and schedule according to therapist availability.

Specialties and expertise

Top specialties

Stress, Anxiety
Eating disorders
Depression

Also works with

Therapeutic approaches

Experience: 10 years
Licensed: California
Languages: English, Spanish