- Family of origin patterns
- EMDR and mindfulness
- Attachment and abandonment
About Melanie
Melanie Reyes is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT) in California with 12 years of clinical experience. She works with stress, anxiety, relationship concerns, family issues, trauma and abuse, depression, addictions, grief, sleeping problems, parenting challenges, self-esteem, career questions, bipolar concerns, and coping with life changes. Melanie speaks English and Tagalog and brings a practical, person-focused approach to sessions.
Melanie uses a mix of methods to help people notice patterns and try new ways of responding. She uses Client-Centered Therapy to focus on what matters to each person. She employs EMDR in cases where past events are getting in the way of present life. Mindfulness practices are offered to help reduce rumination and improve attention to the present.
In sessions she tends to be direct and plainspoken. Conversations look at how family of origin patterns - roles, expectations, and boundaries learned in childhood - still shape thoughts, feelings, and behavior today. She helps clients build practical skills for communication, emotion regulation, and decision-making rather than offering abstract theory alone.
Her background includes work with a wide range of concerns such as abandonment, attachment issues, blended family dynamics, caregiver stress, chronic illness, codependency, and body image. Over a dozen years she has combined psychodynamic ideas with motivational interviewing and somatic work to address both thoughts and bodily responses.
Melanie asks people to start by completing a short intake questionnaire so she can better understand goals and match approaches to each situation. Costs vary by location and sessions use a subscription that can be canceled at any time.
How Melanie applies therapeutic methods in online sessions
Client-Centered Therapy centers on the person’s concerns and priorities. Sessions focus on active listening, reflecting what matters most, and supporting the client to set and pursue realistic goals. This approach helps people who want straightforward support for decision-making, relationships, and self-understanding.Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) is a method used to reduce the hold of distressing memories. In practice it involves guided attention while the therapist works with the client to process memories that continue to interfere with daily life. Many people bring EMDR for trauma-related difficulties or persistent upsetting memories.
Mindfulness Therapy teaches simple attention and breathing practices to reduce repetitive worrying and improve concentration. Those techniques are often used alongside other approaches to lower anxiety and support sleep and emotional regulation.
Finding the right approach is part of the early work. Melanie discusses goals and preferences and adapts methods collaboratively. She will review options such as combining mindfulness, EMDR, or client-centered work based on what the client wants to change and how they respond in the first sessions.
If you plan to try online sessions, confirm the exact session formats available before booking. The practical benefits of online work include easier scheduling around work or caregiving obligations, the option for shorter check-ins when time is limited, and the ability to continue therapy without commuting. These features can make it simpler to fit therapeutic work into a busy life.
Areas of expertise
Primary focus
Also works with
Additional focus areas
Therapeutic approaches
Experience
12+ years
Listed in
California
Languages
English, Tagalog
Frequently asked questions
What kinds of concerns does she address?
She works with stress, anxiety, relationship and family issues, trauma and abuse, depression, addictions, grief, sleep problems, parenting, self-esteem, career questions, bipolar concerns, and coping with life changes.
How would she describe her therapeutic style?
Her style is practical and person-focused. She combines conversational exploration with skill building and attention to bodily responses.
How much experience does she have?
She has 12 years of clinical experience working with a wide range of mental health and life concerns.
What are her credentials and where is she based?
She is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT) and practices in California.
Which languages are sessions offered in?
Sessions are offered in English and Tagalog.
Are international clients accepted?
International clients are not currently accepted.
How are sessions scheduled and how much do they cost?
Costs vary by location and sessions use a subscription that can be canceled at any time.
How do I begin working with her?
Start by selecting the See online therapy options button, completing a short matching questionnaire, and scheduling a first session.
Online talk therapy is not emergency care. If you are in danger, use the emergency numbers. Looking for someone else? Find them by surname.