Works with
- Anger
- Stress, Anxiety
- Relationship issues
- Trauma and abuse
- Intimacy-related issues
- Depression
How Melissa works
Practical facts
- Credentials
- LCSW
- Licensed in
- California
- Years in practice
- 25
- Languages
- English
- Session format
- Online, through our partner platform
About Melissa
Melissa Lehrich is a licensed clinical social worker (LCSW) in California who brings 25 years of experience to her therapeutic work. She focuses on practical ways to reduce stress and manage strong emotions. Her approach is straightforward and centered on what people need right now.
She uses tools from cognitive behavioral therapy to help clients notice and change unhelpful thoughts and behaviors. Dialectical behavior therapy skills are used for emotion regulation and building better coping strategies.
Background and approach
She also works with eye movement desensitization and reprocessing for people carrying difficult memories. Melissa helps people facing anxiety, panic attacks, depression, sleep problems, and anger. She supports those coping with life changes, grief, and end-of-life concerns.
Relationship strains, intimacy issues, communication problems, guilt, shame, and feelings of isolation are also common topics in her work. Sessions are aimed at practical progress. Conversations include learning concrete skills, trying new ways of responding, and planning steps to reduce overwhelm.
She adapts sessions to each person's needs and goals rather than following one fixed formula. Melissa offers therapy in English and works with clients across California and internationally. People connect by video calls, phone sessions, live chat, or text-based messaging.
The subscription plan used for sessions can be canceled at any time.
What Melissa works with
Everything Melissa lists, in the therapist's own terms. Anger is the reason this directory exists; the rest tells you what usually sits alongside it in Melissa's practice.
- Stress, Anxiety
- Relationship issues
- Trauma and abuse
- Intimacy-related issues
- Depression
- Sleeping disorders
- Parenting issues
- Anger management
- Self esteem
- Career difficulties
- Coping with life changes
- Communication problems
- Control issues
- Forgiveness
- Guilt and shame
- Hospice and end-of-life counseling
- Isolation / loneliness
- Life purpose
- Panic disorder and panic attacks
- Post-traumatic stress
- Self-love
- Social anxiety and phobia
Approaches Melissa lists
- Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
- Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT)
- Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR)
Listing an approach is not evidence of training in it. This directory copies what each therapist names and does not check training records.
Therapeutic approaches and online care
Melissa draws on cognitive behavioral therapy to help people identify unhelpful thoughts and test new ways of thinking and acting. CBT is useful for anxiety, depression, sleep issues, and many everyday problems because it focuses on clear steps to change patterns.She also uses elements of dialectical behavior therapy for emotion regulation and distress tolerance. DBT skills teach ways to notice intense feelings, reduce reactivity, and handle conflict or overwhelming moments more effectively.
When traumatic memories are a central issue, she may use eye movement desensitization and reprocessing to help reduce the intensity of those memories and their emotional impact. EMDR is aimed at processing stuck experiences so they cause less disruption in daily life.
Choosing an approach is a collaborative process. The therapist will work with each person to pick methods that fit their goals, comfort level, and needs. Plans are adjusted as progress is made and as new concerns emerge.
Online sessions are offered by video calls, phone, live chat, or text-based messaging to suit different schedules and preferences. Video sessions allow face-to-face connection, phone works well when bandwidth is low, and messaging or live chat can fit into brief breaks or ongoing check-ins. These options make it easier to keep therapy consistent around work, caregiving, or travel.
Questions people ask about Melissa
What concerns does Melissa commonly help with?
She works with stress, anxiety, depression, sleep problems, anger, relationship and intimacy issues, grief and life changes among other concerns.
What is her therapeutic style like?
Her style is practical and skill-based, using tools to change thoughts and behavior and to manage emotions in day-to-day life.
How much experience does she have?
Melissa has 25 years of professional experience supporting people through a wide range of emotional and life challenges.
What credentials and location are listed?
She is a licensed clinical social worker (LCSW) in California and practices under the CA LCSW designation.
Which languages are sessions offered in?
Sessions are offered in English and she accepts international clients.
What session formats are available?
Clients can meet via video calls, phone sessions, live chat, or text-based messaging depending on preference.
How are sessions paid for and what does it cost?
Cost varies with location and the subscription model used; sessions use a subscription that can be canceled at any time.
How do I begin working with her?
To get started, select the Start Therapy button, complete a short matching questionnaire, and schedule according to therapist availability.