- Stress and anxiety
- Eating and body image
- CBT and ACT methods
About Melinna
Melinna Perez is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT) practicing in California with 10 years of clinical experience. She works with adults facing stress, anxiety, depression, eating and body-image concerns, relationship and intimacy challenges, grief, trauma, ADHD, and issues common in young adulthood such as life transitions and identity questions. Melinna communicates in English and Spanish and uses a blend of therapeutic methods to meet the needs people bring to sessions.
She trained at the University of Southern California, earning a Master of Marriage and Family Therapy, and holds bachelor’s degrees in Psychology and English from Mount St. Mary’s University. Her background includes both individual and group work across outpatient and residential settings, helping people with mood disorders, trauma, eating-related concerns, addiction, and adjustment struggles.
Melinna draws on client-centered approaches alongside cognitive behavioral and acceptance-based methods. She also uses skills from dialectical behavior therapy and emotionally focused work to address emotion regulation and relationship patterns. In practice she focuses on clear, practical steps such as skill-building, values clarification, and communication work rather than jargon.
Sessions typically involve straightforward conversation, skill practice, and homework when helpful. She pays attention to how early adult pressures - starting a job, moving for school, navigating new relationships, and identity questions - affect mood and choices. People who want a direct, down-to-earth therapist who can work in English or Spanish may find this approach useful.
To start, prospective clients complete a short matching questionnaire and then schedule a first session. Costs vary with location and sessions use a subscription that can be canceled at any time.
How Melinna uses therapy approaches online
Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) focuses on identifying personal values and taking committed action even when difficult thoughts or feelings appear. It can help with anxiety, avoidance, and life changes by clarifying what matters and setting small, value-driven goals. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) helps people spot and change unhelpful thinking and behavior patterns. It is useful for anxiety, depression, and many everyday problems through practical exercises and behavioral experiments. Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) offers skills for regulating intense emotions and improving interpersonal effectiveness, which can be helpful for strong mood swings, relationship conflict, and coping under stress.Choosing the right approach is usually collaborative. The therapist and client review goals, concerns, and preferences and try methods that fit the person's needs. Techniques can be adjusted over time based on what helps most, and sessions can combine conversation, skill practice, and brief between-session work.
The original biography indicates Melinna has provided online and in-office care in the past, so confirm current session formats when booking. Online work can make it easier to fit sessions into a busy schedule, reduce travel time, or allow shorter check-ins when time is limited. Talk with the therapist during the matching process about how to shape sessions around your routine and goals.
Areas of expertise
Primary focus
Also works with
Additional focus areas
Therapeutic approaches
Experience
10+ years
Listed in
California
Languages
English, Spanish
Frequently asked questions
What kinds of concerns does she work with?
She works with stress, anxiety, depression, eating and body-image concerns, trauma, grief, intimacy-related issues, ADHD, and other challenges listed in her specialties.
What is her therapeutic style like?
Her style blends client-centered conversation with practical techniques from CBT, ACT, DBT, and emotionally focused work to build skills and improve relationships.
How much clinical experience does she have?
She has 10 years of experience practicing as an LMFT in California across outpatient and residential settings.
Where is she licensed and based?
She is a California Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (CA LMFT) and practices in California.
Which languages are supported in sessions?
Sessions are offered in English and Spanish.
What session formats are available?
The original biography mentions both in-office and online work historically, but current session formats should be confirmed before booking through the matching flow.
How are fees handled?
Costs vary with location and sessions use a subscription that can be canceled at any time.
How do I begin with her?
Select the See online therapy options button, complete a short matching questionnaire, and schedule a first session.
Online talk therapy through BetterHelp is for adults aged 18 and over and is not emergency care. If you are in danger, use the emergency numbers. Find someone else by name.