Melissa Herceg , LCSW

Melissa Herceg is a licensed clinical social worker (LCSW) based in California with 25 years of professional experience supporting people through significant life challenges. She works with individuals facing stress and anxiety, helping them build motivation, confidence, and practical strategies to manage work-related pressure and career difficulties. Her practice also addresses depression and common challenges that arise during life transitions, including the move to parenthood.

Melissa emphasizes respect, sensitivity, and compassion in her therapeutic approach, adapting conversations and treatment plans to each person's specific circumstances and goals. She focuses on collaborative planning so that therapy reflects the needs and preferences of the individual rather than a one-size-fits-all model. Beginning therapy can feel like a big step, and she acknowledges the courage it takes to get started while offering steady support throughout the process.

With a long history of clinical work, Melissa combines practical problem-solving with empathetic listening to help clients navigate change, set achievable goals, and develop coping skills for everyday life.

Therapeutic Approaches and Online Support

Melissa uses Motivational Interviewing to help people explore their own reasons for change and to strengthen commitment to personal goals - this approach is useful for enhancing motivation and resolving ambivalence about next steps. She also employs Solution-Focused Therapy, which centers on identifying practical solutions and small, achievable steps to move forward when dealing with stress, career shifts, or everyday challenges. Trauma-Focused Therapy is applied when past traumatic experiences affect current functioning, offering targeted strategies to process and reduce the impact of those experiences when appropriate.

Choosing the right approach is a collaborative process. Melissa works with clients to understand their needs, goals, and preferences, and together they determine which blend of techniques fits best. This collaborative stance helps ensure that therapy stays relevant and responsive to each person's situation.

Online therapy with Melissa is offered via video calls, phone sessions, live chat, or text-based messaging, providing flexibility to fit therapy into busy schedules and different lifestyles. These options make it easier to maintain continuity of care during life transitions and to access support from the comfort of home while working with licensed professionals and therapists.