Hi there, I’m Melissa! As a Licensed Clinical Social Worker in California and Hawaii, I specialize in treating adults with anxiety-related disorders, including generalized anxiety disorder, obsessive-compulsive disorder, and panic disorder.

I also have a special interest in supporting college students and young adults as they navigate major life transitions — from graduation and entering the workforce, to managing evolving relationships and new responsibilities. These seasons of change often come with intense pressure to have it all “perfectly” figured out — a pressure that fuels anxiety, self-doubt, and the fear of making the wrong choice.

This fear can be debilitating.

You may find yourself constantly worrying or seeking reassurance, but never quite finding relief. It’s exhausting, frustrating, and sometimes even a bit embarrassing.

I am passionate about helping people reconnect with what truly matters to them. My approach is action oriented and combines the best of Acceptance & Commitment Therapy (ACT) and Exposure & Response Prevention (ERP) to help you break free from this cycle. Through mindfulness-based strategies from ACT for anxiety and ERP for OCD, we’ll work together to build your ability to tolerate discomfort and uncertainty, without falling back into old patterns. This puts you back in control, empowering you to make decisions that align with your core values — not your fears.

Most importantly, you’ll discover how resilient you truly are.

While anxiety is hardwired into us and not something we can simply eliminate, we can learn to manage it so it no longer drives our decisions. You’ll learn to live in alignment with your values — with what truly matters to you. Instead of reacting to the constant loop of “what ifs,” and fear you’ll learn to move forward with intention and embrace uncertainty.

Therapy is vulnerable work and I’m honored to sit with you.