Melinna Perez , LMFT

Melinna Perez is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT) practicing in California with ten years of clinical experience helping children, teens, adults, couples, and families navigate emotional and relational challenges. She earned a Master of Marriage and Family Therapy from the University of Southern California in 2016 and holds bachelor degrees in Psychology and English from Mount St. Marys University earned in 2013. Over the course of her career she has worked in both residential and outpatient settings and offered individual and group therapy in-office and online, supporting a wide range of concerns including depression, anxiety, eating disorders, body dysmorphia, insomnia, addiction, trauma and abuse, bipolar disorder, relationship and parenting issues, teen concerns, and crisis or adjustment challenges.

Her practice frequently centers on a person-centered stance that emphasizes meeting clients where they are and supporting each person through their process of self-discovery and identity formation. She integrates methods from acceptance and commitment therapy, cognitive behavioral therapy, dialectical behavior therapy, emotionally-focused work, and other evidence-informed approaches to tailor care to the needs of each client. Melinna has experience working with people of color and members of the LGBTQ+ community and brings attention to attachment, adoption and foster care, body image, codependency, gender dysphoria, and intimacy-related concerns among other focus areas.

She aims to create a nonjudgmental space where emotions and thoughts can be expressed openly, and she approaches therapeutic work with compassion and practical support. Outside of clinical practice she enjoys music, sports, reading, cooking, time with family and pets, meditation, and trips to the beach.

Therapeutic Approaches and Online Care

Melinna Perez integrates several evidence-informed approaches to support clients in an online setting. Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) focuses on helping people clarify their values and take committed action toward those values while learning to relate differently to difficult thoughts and feelings - it can be helpful for anxiety, stress, and life transitions. Client-Centered Therapy emphasizes empathy, respect, and meeting each person where they are so clients feel heard and supported as they explore identity, relationships, and personal growth. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) focuses on identifying and shifting unhelpful thoughts and behaviors to reduce symptoms of depression, anxiety, and other mood concerns and to develop practical coping skills.

Finding the right therapeutic approach is part of the process, and Melinna works collaboratively with clients to identify which methods fit their needs, goals, and preferences. She adapts techniques based on what is most useful for each individual or family.

Online therapy with Melinna is offered through video calls, phone sessions, live chat, and text-based messaging, providing flexibility for busy schedules and varied comfort levels. These options make it easier to access consistent support from licensed professionals without needing to travel, and they allow clients to continue therapeutic work through life changes and transitions.