Melinna Perez

Melinna Perez is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT) practicing in California with ten years of clinical experience. She greets people with warmth and straightforward language, and she encourages parents and caregivers to take the next step when life feels overwhelming. Melinna speaks English and Spanish and uses a person-centered stance to meet clients where they are.

Her training includes a Master of Marriage and Family Therapy from the University of Southern California and two bachelor degrees in Psychology and English from Mount St. Mary’s University. Over the past decade she has worked in residential and outpatient settings and has provided both individual and group therapy.

Melinna adapts her style to the needs of the person in front of her. She draws on Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), Emotionally-Focused Therapy (EFT), and client-centered methods. Sessions focus on practical skills, clearer communication, and gradual changes that fit everyday life.

She commonly helps people who are dealing with stress, anxiety, depression, eating and body image concerns, grief, trauma, and relationship or intimacy-related struggles. Her additional focus areas include ADHD, attachment issues, adoption and foster care questions, and concerns related to gender identity and LGBT experience.

Melinna aims to create a nonjudgmental space where emotions can be shared and understood. She invites families and caregivers to reach out and use the Start Therapy button to complete a short matching questionnaire and schedule according to therapist availability.

How therapy approaches translate to online work

Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) focuses on helping people notice unhelpful thought patterns and choose actions that align with their values. It can be useful for anxiety, stress, and making life changes. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) teaches practical skills to change thinking and behavior patterns, which helps with depression, anxiety, and eating concerns. Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) emphasizes emotion regulation and interpersonal effectiveness skills, which can support people dealing with intense emotions or relationship struggles.

Finding the right approach is a collaborative process. The therapist will talk with the person about goals, preferences, and what has or hasn't helped in the past. Together they decide which combination of ACT, CBT, DBT, or client-centered work fits best and adjust the plan as progress is made.

If you are considering online therapy, confirm the session options before booking since formats were not specified in the biography. Online work can make it easier to fit sessions into busy days, allow check-ins during short breaks, or reduce travel time. It also lets the therapist use worksheets, mindfulness exercises, and behavioral experiments between meetings so therapy can continue to move forward in everyday life.