Melinna Perez , LMFT

Melinna Perez is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT) practicing in California with over 10 years of clinical experience. She has worked therapeutically with children, teens, adults, couples, and families, and has extensive experience supporting people of color and members of the LGBTQ+ community. She earned a Master of Marriage and Family Therapy from the University of Southern California in 2016 and holds bachelor’s degrees in Psychology and English from Mount St. Mary’s University, completed in 2013.

Her background includes individual and group therapy across residential and outpatient settings, delivered both in-office and online. Melinna has supported clients presenting with depression, anxiety, trauma and abuse, bipolar disorder, eating and food-related concerns, body dysmorphia, insomnia, addiction, relationship and parenting challenges, teen concerns, and a range of life adjustments and crises. She also works with issues such as grief, intimacy-related struggles, anger, self-esteem, ADHD, and compassion fatigue.

Melinna’s clinical style is adaptable, drawing on multiple evidence-informed approaches while most often centering a client-centered perspective that meets each person where they are and encourages self-discovery and identity work. She integrates methods from Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), and Emotionally-Focused Therapy (EFT) as appropriate to a client’s needs. Sessions emphasize openness, emotional expression, and collaborative goal-setting.

She conducts therapy in English and Spanish and is not currently accepting new clients.

Approaches for Online Therapy and Flexible Care

Melinna integrates several therapeutic approaches that translate well to online formats. Client-centered therapy focuses on creating a supportive, nonjudgmental space where the therapist follows the client’s lead, promoting self-exploration and personal growth - it is helpful for relationship concerns, identity work, and emotional processing. Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) blends mindfulness and values-based action to help people move toward meaningful goals even when difficult thoughts or feelings are present - it is often used for anxiety, stress, and life transitions. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) focuses on identifying unhelpful thinking patterns and developing practical strategies to manage symptoms and improve functioning - it is commonly applied to depression, anxiety, and behavioral challenges.

Choosing the right approach is a collaborative process. The therapist works with each person to assess goals, preferences, and needs, and adapts methods over time so treatment remains aligned with what the client finds most helpful. This partnership helps tailor interventions to the individual rather than applying a one-size-fits-all model.

Online therapy offers practical flexibility through video calls, phone sessions, live chat, or text-based messaging, allowing therapy to fit into busy schedules and varied lifestyles. For many people, these options make it easier to attend regular sessions, maintain continuity of care, and access licensed professionals from the places where they live and work.