Meet Melissa klass, LMFT #119163

Reclaiming Wholeness in a Fragmented World 

"How we spend our days is, of course, how we spend our lives. What we do with this hour, and that one, is what we are doing"

-Annie dillard

Creating a Safe Space for Courageous Change

I’m a firm believer that healing begins when we let ourselves be seen—really seen—for who we are. Therapy isn’t about fixing; it’s about becoming. It’s about peeling back the layers of expectations, fears, and self-doubt to reconnect with what truly matters to you. In this space, we’ll explore how you’ve internalized messages from family, culture, or society, and work toward letting go of what no longer serves you. The goal is to help you cultivate a sense of belonging within yourself so that you can live a life filled with meaningful work, deep relationships, and authentic joy.

How i work with clients

Theory alone doesn’t heal:
what matters is how we use these ideas to understand the unique person you are today, with your own cultural, familial, and personal stories.

I will engage with you actively by asking you questions, listening carefully, and pointing out ways that you may self-sabotage. My approach integrates concepts from modern psychodynamic theory to help you understand how your past experiences and unconscious mind shape your current feelings and behaviors. Psychodynamic theory, as well as any other theory I may utilize, has been updated to be fully relevant and affirmative for individuals from diverse cultures and sexual orientations.

We’ll use our time together to build the kind of courage it takes to step into new ways of thinking, relating, and living. I believe that growth happens when we’re willing to get uncomfortable and challenge the voices inside us that say we’re not good enough. Those inner critics, if left unchecked, can create a cycle of shame that makes us feel small and unworthy. I draw from the belief that true transformation comes from vulnerability—the courage to show up, let ourselves be seen, and engage with life wholeheartedly.


My guiding principles

Empathy

Empathy is among the most transformative forces in therapy; it liberates, affirms, and reminds you that you belong.

Curiosity

Cultivating a spirit of curiosity invites you to pause, take a breath, and approach each moment with intention. 

Clarity

Together, we’ll uncover the underlying scripts that have guided you, understand the purpose they once served, and gently dismantle the ones that no longer serve you.

Diversity

I aim to create a therapeutic environment where every individual feels seen, heard, and respected. I welcome clients of all races, ethnicities, genders, sexual orientations, abilities, and backgrounds and am committed to meeting you wherever you are on your journey, with openness and compassion.

A Little About Me

I began my clinical work in community mental health in 2016 serving a diverse population including trauma survivors, the LGBTQIA++ community, and people in non-traditional relationships. In 2019, I opened my private practice and became an EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) certified therapist, an empirically supported form of trauma treatment, through the Humanitarian Assistance Program. I have experience working with teens, individuals, couples, families and groups. 

In addition to my clinical work, I have served as an adjunct faculty member at Pepperdine and Antioch Universites. I provide consultation and supervision to licensed and associate therapists. My commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion extends through my work with the California Association of Marriage and Family Therapists (CAMFT) DEI Committee.


    • Clinical Supervision and Licensed Supervisor

    • EMDR

    • Emotionally Focused

    • Family / Marital

    • Feminist

    • Person-Centered

    • Psychodynamic

    • Relational

    • Trauma Focused